Replacement Key Programming works?

[omodos]

Hello, Cut long story short i screwed up my spare key, can I purchase one of the below and simply take out the chip/circuit board plug in my old key and follow the guide as found on a well know internet buying selling site (see below)? anyone tried this? and what battery is actually needed?

PS just read that the keys you can get off ebay with transponder cant be programmed to start car using below procedure, is this correct?



X5, E46, E38 & E39 Diamond Shaped Key
To carry out this procedure you need to have one working key and one key which requires programming. Please read on if you do not have a working key as this is also covered further down. It may help sometimes to hold the key close to the rear view mirror as this is where the sensor is located in most models.
1. With both keys, get in the car and close all windows and doors.
2. Put working key into the ignition and turn to position 1 (the accessories should turn on)
3. Turn the key back to position 0 and take the key out of the ignition.
4. Using the working key, hold down the unlock button, press the BMW logo (lock button) 3 times, and release the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock.
5. With the new key, hold down the unlock button and press the BMW logo (lock button) 3 times and let go of the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock and you're done!!
Alternate Procedure:
1. Switch ignition on and off within 5 seconds, with all doors closed.
2. Take key out of ignition and press unlock button. Hold unlock button whilst pressing the lock button 3 times, all within 10 seconds.
3. Release unlock button.
4. The system recognises re-programming by locking and immediately unlocking the doors.
5. You have to do your other keys within 30 seconds after reprogramming your first key by following steps 2,3 & 4 only.

Alternate procedure if above doesn't work or if you do not have a working remote:

1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly
2. Remove key
3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds
5. Turn on ignition to finalize

[upallnight]

If you are trying to program a transponder chip in a new key to work with the EWS NO this procedure probably doesn't work. If you are trying to program a new FOB to lock and unlock the car this may work.

[white46]

The procedure is for new fob to program lock/unlock of your car.

[oldskewel]

I'm not guaranteeing that procedure is right. Qsilver7 (I think) has posted a BMW printed version of the instructions, and when you're doing something like that you just need to get one thing wrong and it won't work. So I'd search a little more to find the exact BMW instructions.

Those instructions will allow you to program up to 4 diamond keys. They program the remote control functionality (and less important, but customizations like seat position, etc.). It has nothing at all to do with allowing the car to start when you turn the key. That is a different system (EWS).

I've done that (instructions similar to the ones you listed) a few times on my 2001 E53, with 4 diamond keys. I don't know if sometimes a battery runs low, but I've needed to re-do it once a year or so when one of them drops out. So it is not just for new keys. You can do it as many times as you like, limited to 4 keys, and when you reprogram them, you have to do all your keys at the same time (in quick succession) if you want the remote functionality to work.

You mention you screwed up your spare key. What kind of key, and what went wrong? Part of it might still be useful.

[Qsilver7]

Tips:

• KL R = ignition position 1 (KL O = ignition OFF) (KL 15 = ignition position 2)
• ALL doors must be UNLOCKED
• ALL doors must be CLOSED
• Only insert the 1st remote into the ignition ... all other remotes start using the instructions in STEP #6
• FZV = central locking (EWS is something totally different)