Quote:
Originally Posted by jagarundi
Oh, and to add...called the BMW dealership and was told to bring key in AND purchase a BMW battery so that they can program the key to the battery.  That doesn't sound right AT ALL. |
You're correct, it doesn't sound right. There is no BMW key that is programmed to "the battery". There ARE 3 systems that the e53 remote key operates (EWS/FAV/DWA) and they are 3 distinct and separate systems that work in tandem or conjunction with each other...but NONE of them are programmed to the car's battery.
EWS (the immobilizing system) shuts down the starter & ignition and communicates over a 125 KHz AM radio signal between the DME/EWS control module, and the Ring antenna (located around the ignition cylinder). The EWS transponder chip inside the remote key needs to have the same ISN (individual serial number) as all of the other EWS components to start the car. (BTW, I don't think this is your issue...to me, it sounds like you have a battery drain issue, thus a low battery will NOT start the car, but will illuminate the interior lights, horn, play the radio etc.)
FZV (central locking) & DWA (anti-theft alarm siren system) transmits a 315 Mhz RF signal to an aerial in the rear left cargo window, then onto an amp/receiver then finally up to the GM where it sends commands to lock/unlock and arm/disarm the alarm siren, hood sensor, interior motion sensor, and tilt sensor. The key is programmed to the GM to operate these two features.
I need to know what your instrument cluster set-up is to be able to give you instruction on how to unlock it. You don't have a sig that identifies what e53 you have.
Do you have the high cluster or the low cluster? The instructions are different for each because the LOW cluster only has one button (for the trip odometer) on the left side...where as the HIGH cluster has TWO buttons (the same trip odometer button on the left side & the Check Control button on the right side).
There are LOTS of videos on Youtube that show how to unlock a BMW's instrument cluster. Just type "unlock BMW instrument cluster" into a search box...and look for any e38/e39/e46/e53 and the procedure will be the same. But do take note of the slight difference depending on which cluster you have (low or high). Once unlocked...do TEST 9 to see what your X5's battery voltage is.
Again, if your X5's battery voltage is low (like 10.8v or lower) it doesn't have enough power to start the vehicle but can illuminate the interior lights which don't require a lot of power.
If you have jumper cables and someone with another vehicle with a 12 volt system...raise your hood, hook up the jumper cables to the actual jump start locations in the engine bay (make sure you use the negative hex bolt on the fender instead of guessing that something is truly grounded)...let your X's battery system stay hooked up for a good 5 minutes, then attempt to start it. If it starts, then the problem is your battery and not your key. Again, you have something that is draining the battery if it dies in just a couple of weeks.