won't start sometimes. possibly ignition switch or key problem

[dhyrk3]

Originally Posted by hippee0

had the same problem took it to the stealer was dead batt in the key so i ordered a new key @£200 no problem since
the next day i found a fix for a dead key on here ordered the part from ebay fixed my other key for £5.00

Wooops ! Sorry for the £195.

[scottjoh]

Originally Posted by VR777

Recently replaced car battery and shop checked the charging system. Battery in the car is charged good.
in post #4 I was referring to key battery

Doesn't sound like the car battery is the problem at all. The lights would have dimmed out almost completely when trying to start it if was. Probably the key. Buy a new key. It doesn't have to be an expensive Master key (with remote). It can be an inexpensive Spare key or Valet key www.bmwgm5.com/keys.htm They both have EWS chips in them and should start the key. The battery in the remote key has NOTHING to do with being able to start the car. It can be deader than a door nail and it will not affect starting. If problem is still there with the new key then it might be the EWS module or possibly the ignition switch. You can also take the car in and have the car scanned. The EWS module will log start attempts with an invalid key (code didn't get read correctly from key).