Key fob remote buttons and central locking switch problem.

[gl500des]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum as I've just purchased a 2003 BMW X5 3.0i.

60,000 miles (96,000 kms), and generally in good shape.

So far I am very happy.

Today though both my keys fobs have stopped working simultaneously. The central locking button is also not working (by the cupholders) - it was working yesterday.
The X5 doesn't respond to any of the buttons on either key fob.

Are the two problems (key lost memory and central locking button not working) related?

One of the key fobs has a new battery that has been working great since I replaced it and reprogrammed it two weeks ago. So I am pretty sure it is not a battery issue. Both going dead within minutes of each other would be a huge coincidence.

The keys both start the vehicle.

The keys manually (by turning in the lock) unlock the doors correctly.

So I suspect that somehow the vehicle has "lost" its memory of the keys.

I know how to reprogram a key when I have a working key, as I did this when I replaced the battery in the one fob.

I can't find anything on how to program a key without a working key.

I also can't find anybody who has described this problem, and I didn't find anything on what caused the problem or how to fix the cause of the problem.

I suspect that the answer will be go see the dealer, and I'm prepared for that. But I would like to know what has caused the problem, in order not to have the problem reoccur.

The vehicle has a new battery. It just occurred to me - is there a fuse I could check specific to the key fob remote function?

I'm going to pull out my fuse tester and see if anything is blown.

EDIT- Checked fuses 20, 24 and 60 - all fine. Any others?

Thanks for any input,

Duncan.