Reprogramming BMW X5 car key to work (E53)-2002
 

Hi guys, the above steps worked for me. I am going to outline some caveats to what I found worked for me. I had a spare key that only worked by key in door method (manual). After reprogramming (total time less than 2 minutes) I am now a happy owner of 2 sets of working X5 car keys.

*Caveat 1: Make sure all doors are unlocked (not just driver door)-use central locking button if unsure.
*Caveat 2: All windows must be up. (dont know why but they must be up)

thats it.........
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Steps:
1. Unlock all doors (ensure windows are up and sunroof is closed)
2. get in car
3. close door
4. put 1st key in ignition and turn to #2 igintion position 5 times.(All lights on dash will come on and go off 5 times)
5. take key out of ignition.
6. hold down "UNLOCK DOOR" button.
7. Press the round BMW "LOCK DOOR" button 3 times (counting like this helps.....1 elephant, 2 elephant, 3 elephant)
8. release all buttons.
9. you will then hear the doors lock then unlock.
10. grab your 2nd key that needs reprogramming and do the following steps).
11. hold down "UNLOCK DOOR" button (top button).
12. Press the round BMW "LOCK DOOR" button 3 times (counting like this helps.....1 elephant, 2 elephant, 3 elephant)<---counting like this helps. :cool:
13. you will then hear the doors lock then unlock again.
14. thats it.... All keys are programmed and you are set.
get out of car and test both sets of keys.

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Handy Tip: if you are locking your X5 and press the round BMW lock button and the windows are down - after you have pressed the round BMW lock button, keep holding down the round BMW lock button after the car doors have locked and you will see that the windows will automatically go up as well (first the front , then the backs and then the SUNROOF!!). MAGIC!! amazing too!!! im wrapped....

:thumbup:

how do you replace the battery in the keys?

I just did this and it worked. One Tip - put your key in and turn it one click. then back to position key is when you first put it in ignition. then forward one click... repeat this 5 times (your dash lights come on and off 5 times)... I was turning to far at first and took 10 minutes for it to finally work doing as above... Thanks Aussie...

You don't

I had this problem with my keys before, (E53 i'm assuming?) both stopped working but not together, 1 went so I switched, and then the new key stopped working (buttons), I had the dealer look at it and, they found out that some actuator had failed or wasn't working properlly, and basically they said that the part that charges the key while its in the ignition was not longer charging the key, that could be another possiblity, they fixed it in 1 day rather quickly

Ok, aussieaubs says turn the key to position II, while X5 Rob says turn the key to position I while turning the key in the procedure five times. Can anyone verify which is correct?

Please read the note in Step 8 first.

Procedure: Also here: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/e...ob-bmw-x5.html or here: Program and Reprogram Your Car Remote Key Fob Control Transponder - Program Your Keys Free Instructions - BMW X5 Key Remote Control Fob Programming
1. Charge the key for about 1 hour in the ignition.
2. Enter the vehicle and close the doors
3. Briefly turn the ignition on (key to position 2) and off (5 times within 5 seconds). Don't actually start the car.
4. Remove the key; press and hold the 'unlock' button. While holding the 'unlock' button, rapidly press the 'lock' button 3 times within a period of 10 seconds.
5. Release the 'unlock' button.
6. The central locking system activates and releases all locks in rapid succession to indicate that the initialization has been successful.
7. To initialize additional remote control keys (make sure that no more then 30 second elapse between each initialization procedure) repeat steps 4 and 5 ONLY. Do not repeat step 3.
8. NOTE: You MUST initialize all the keys (at least that is what I found, otherwise by initializing one you de-initialize the others).

I printed out the steps and messed with it in the car for quite a while. I don't know what "position 2" actually is. I assumed it was the 2nd click once the key is in the ignition... the 3rd "click" actually starts the car... I followed the above instructions several times without success. I then tried it with putting the key in and turning to the 1st click 5x and it worked... maybe position one is where the key is when its inserted in the ignition and "position 2" is the first click?? I'm a novice but I can tell you my method did indeed work on my 2005 4.4... I had left the lights on the night before and the batt died... after recharging both keys no longer worked... I hope that helps...

Rob

Check your manual and it will say what is position 1, 2 etc.

it worked
 

GUYS... it really worked

For months I have been thinking I own a stuck key or damaged or killed battery :(

And today I read this post, tried a bit... and...it WORKED!!!!

My wife thanks all of you, now we can use both keys and can go on programming more features as seat position, mirrors and so on

Thank you so much!

X5 world members rule! :thumbup: