Unfortunately, we were told by the OP that they only have one key...sadly this is one of the unfortunate consequences when owners take the risk of living with only one key.

Not to be kicking the OP in their hour of distress...I hope other owners that are living with only one key will be spurred to at least purchase the spare key (it cost much less than another remote key) so if an emergency arises...they will have a back-up.

In this case...another working key could easily verify if the issue is with the the remote key.

You can run a wire to the solenoid on the starter and use the jump terminal in the engine compartment to energize the solenoid which in turn will spin the starter, so if you have the key in the run position you should be able to start it. I think the EWS only prevents the starter from spinning.

Edit: Make sure the trans is in Park and the parking brake engaged. The above method will starts the car in any gears. Speaking of gears, does the gear indicator still show what the gear the trans is in?

I presume it's an automatic so, please don't shout at me for stating the bleedin' obvious but..........is the gearstick in park or neutral when trying to start her up?

All 4.4 in the line up were Auto trans. And for assumption sake, he should be in park. But I am with Term, I am out of ideas. The others with knowledge of EWS need to chime in like Upallnight and Quick... I'm a bang it out fix it type of person. But the furthest I will get into electrical is a pilot test light to test for continuity. Anything out of that... well... then I am boned and hook the thing up to GT-1 and pray for the best.

I had that problem. Go and buy a brand new battery. Should do the trick especially with your early year model.

He bought a new battery last night, still no start. C'mon Alex, where were you! haha. You doing any more wrenching today? Your list from yesterday looks like the X is keeping you busy!

I am up and going to try again to get this thing started. I was going to remove the skid plate to have better access to the starter and possibly power up the solenoid, but the nuts on top of the bolts just spin when I try to undo them. Why are these not welded on? Looks like just another obstacle to make it more difficult on the repairman. Any suggestions to make this easier? Or is it just a painfully long process that should be a piece of cake?

Also the car did not start this morning when I tried, I am beginning to think it is also an EWS issue, but what are the ways around this without taking it to the stealer?

The stiffener plate is a pain, but you are just going to try and grab hold of the top and hold the nut.

The only other way around a dealer is for an indy with the right equipment.

You need to get a piece of software that will resync the key chip with the EWS. Maybe an indy in nyour area have the software to do this.

As for the skidplate, you need to get a wrench or socket to hold onto the nut so you can remove the bolt. Have something holding up the plate because it is HEAVY.

Electronic Vehicle Immobilisation System EWS 3.3

The EWS 3.3 serves as an antitheft alarm system and enables the start of BMW vehicles.
A transponder chip is integrated in each of the vehicle keys. A ring coil is fitted about the ignition lock. The transponder chip is powered by the EWS3 control unit via this coil, i.e. no battery is required in the key. The power supply and data transfer take place in the same way as a transformer between the loop antenna (coil) at the ignition lock and the transponder chip.
The key then sends data to the EWS3 control unit. If these data are correct, the EWS 3 control unit enables the starter by means of a relay located in the control unit and additionally sends a coded start enable signal via a data link to the DME/DDE. These procedures may result in a start delay of up to half a second.
Components

Data link to DME/DDE

The EWS3 control unit sends a coded enable signal to the DME/DDE via the data link. The engine cannot be started before this signal has been transferred.
Engine control unit (DME/DDE) with coded start enable input

The engine control unit (DME/DDE) only enables engine start if a correct enable signal is received from the EWS control unit.
EWS-DME/DDE interface

Identical variable codes are stored in the EWS 3.3 control unit and in the DME/DDE control unit. The value of these codes changes after every start procedure. Start enable only takes place if the code sent by the EWS control unit agrees with the code calculated in the DME/DDE control unit.
The control units are allocated only during initial programming of the DME/DDE control unit. The engine control unit then adopts the basic code of the EWS control unit.
Important
It is not possible to replace the DME/DDE or EW 3.3 control units for test purposes!
In rare cases, it is possible that the variable codes in both control units deviate from each other. In these cases, it is possible to reset both codes to the initial value via the service function DME(DDE) EWS III matching.
Key identification and start procedure


The following procedure takes place after inserting the vehicle key in the ignition lock:

• The transponder in the key is powered via the loop antenna and sends the key data to the EWS3 control unit.
• The EWS3 control unit checks the key data to ensure it is correct and only then sends an enable signal to the starter.
• The EWS3 control unit sends the variable code to DME/DDE. There, the variable code is checked against the saved variable code; if they match, the fuel injection is released.
• After the engine has started, the EWS3 control unit generates new key data (change code) and transfers them to the transponder in the key.
• A new variable code is also created and stored in the DME/DDE control unit.

Fault recognition in engine control unit


The following faults are monitored in the engine control unit:

• Interface, i.e. line to EWS control unit: In this case, the check is carried out in order to establish whether a signal is received and whether this signal is not subject to excessive interference.
• Variable code: A check is conducted as to whether the variable code which is sent by the EWS control unit agrees with the value calculated in the DME(DDE) control unit.

Engine start is inhibited if a fault is detected.