Remote Locking not working

[UK_3.0D Sport]

Hi all,

I have owned my X5 for about a month and the remote locking has never worked. I have just joined the forum today but have been reading it for the last month.

So locking wise everything works with the actual central locking either physically with the key or the locking button by the hazard switch but there is no response to any of the key presses.

I have tried every version of re-syncing I can find to no avail. I have swapped the GM3 (I think it's called) behind the glovebox. I have probed the amplifier in the rear hatch on pin 3 and the voltage changes when the key buttons are pressed.

Hoping someone can point me where to go next..

Thanks,

Steve

[bmw540san]

In my case and with the very same symptoms and after checking all the usual culprits, I discovered that I had broken wire under the rubber "snake" in the right rear upper corner (IIRC) when you open the trunk lid.
That wire leads to antena in rear window which is used by remote.

Post #35 here:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-issue)/page2&

[UK_3.0D Sport]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

In my case and with the very same symptoms and after checking all the usual culprits, I discovered that I had broken wire under the rubber "snake" in the right rear upper corner

Finally got some more time to pursue this issue and although I had power just fine on the wire you found broken above I wasn't sure about the wire on pin3 at the FZV amp as it reacted to the key press but didn't show voltage without a key press.
So I bypassed the whole wire from FZV to GM3 with a temporary wire through the car interior. No response... Tried the key resync that I have tried a million times before and the locks cycled and all working!

I removed the rubber boot and some headliner but no exterior signs of a wire break. I must have disturbed something though as when I removed the bypass wire the remote still works.

I will monitor the situation but if it stops working again it won't be too difficult to splice in a repair section.

So a big thanks to bmw540san and thanks all for all your input.

[Effduration]

Do you have just one key?? If so, I'd get a another key.

The driver's door look key barrel and lock assembly is not very sturdy...Time and again when E53 owners start using the key in the door to manually lock/unlock the door, the barrel assembly breaks. You don't want that.

Any BMW key of a similar vintage will synch to lock/unlock your car. To see if you your key is a problem, find a used key or borrow one and see if you can synch it with your car's locking systems. Obviously a used key won't start your car.

Some people use one key to start the car and another used key to lock/unlock...if you do this, you need to figure out how to charge the used key.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by Effduration

...

Some people use one key to start the car and another used key to lock/unlock...if you do this, you need to figure out how to charge the used key.

Good advice!

An alternative is you can get a new cut key that uses a C2032 battery for less than $20 shipped from China and program it to the car for another ~$20 using an AK90+. Info here:


https://xoutpost.com/1226622-post26.html

[X5chemist]

Do you have a scanner to read codes? Some advance scanners can read key numbers. Keys are 1-10. If all 10 keys get used up, a module replacement is necessary.

[UK_3.0D Sport]

Thanks all for your comments. I think I remember reading about the broken wire but had not checked it yet. I have just removed the rubber conduit and I cannot see any broken wires but of course they could be broken internally.
I do have permanent 12v at the amplifier though so that one is OK. The one that runs to the GM3 I am going to run a temporary wire between the two to rule that out, wont get a chance for a few days though.

I've recently noticed that I have to warning tone if I open the drivers door with the key in the ignition. Could this cause an issue with syncing the key?

To answer other replies, I have two remote keys.

I have scanned and only 3 or 4 keys have been registered.

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by UK_3.0D Sport

I've recently noticed that I have to warning tone if I open the drivers door with the key in the ignition. Could this cause an issue with syncing the key?

Is the interior lighting coming on when you open the door?

[UK_3.0D Sport]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Is the interior lighting coming on when you open the door?

Hi, yes interior lights work fine.

If I open the door with headlights on I get a warning message for that but not for key in ignition.

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Do you have a scanner to read codes? Some advance scanners can read key numbers. Keys are 1-10. If all 10 keys get used up, a module replacement is necessary.

I don't know how they did it but the key place here did 2 keys for me and they both show as key 10...

Hopefully someone here knows how to do that and can explain it!!

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