I'm not sure you can unless you actually cut the key. Eg eBay $10 key. I think you have to put the key into the ignition to start the pair procedure not sure if you could trick it by having a working fob next to the working key in the ignition.

Anyhow with the initial condition of one working key, I'm confident at least one is toast.

Get a new key, re-pair the keys making the new the master the old working #2 and the never working #3.

Drive the car with the #3 for a few days to charge the battery.

FYI: it's not the battery is never the battery*

*Ok so 1/30 or so it's the battery but it rounds to never.

There's a guy for $70 used to repair them but I'd rather buy a new. Was my favorite purchase for my e53.

So when you order a key from the BMW/Mini Parts Store, they cut the key and code it to your VIN so it will actually start the car, is that right Andrew?



All you should have to do (if your FZV is working) is initialize the key so it works with keyless entry?

So when you order a key from the BMW/Mini Parts Store, they cut the key and code it to your VIN so it will actually start the car, is that right Andrew?



All you should have to do (if your FZV is working) is initialize the key so it works with keyless entry?

We were only talking about the key remote functionality. Any working E53 remote key can be synced for test purposes (and then re-synced back to original vehicle).

cheers everyone, need to replace my hood struts finally after 20 years lol, what do y'all recommend, just did a simple amazon search and these seem reasonable, thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/Beneges-Suppo...ustomerReviews

The key comes from the factory cut and coded according to VIN. You just have to sync the remote function.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...02551s#fitment

No reason to buy the off brand ones.

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

Yes but step one to sync the key is to put the master key into the ignition and turn to run then take the key our. That will be difficult with a blank.

Additional keys can be added to putting in the car. You might be able to put a non remote key in to start the process but that is most definitely off-script and should not work for theft prevent purpose. Zero chance that would work if I did the programming.

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Not sure if you have an existing cut key for the car?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6927be6eed.jpg

That is correct and if the FZV is not working that's the *only* way you will really know.

I had symptoms for a long time that the receiver was at fault. The "works only when slam the hatchback" sent me exactly where you were thinking I even cut open the rubber wiring tube to the hatch to look for brokwn wires.

In the end it was the key!