It's mean that if you have a "Virgin" DME it can be sync automatically with the EWS in the car, but if the DME has been sync with another car EWS unit , it can not be automatically sync with the EWS.

ok...

how do we get this thing started, without morgaging the house, the kids, the wife... wait... mortgaging the wife?... hmmm... on the other hand.... hahaha... just kidding...


so, will INPA, or PASOFT re-sync those? in other words, can it be done in "home" environment?

I run Carsoft 6.5 (from my days as an E34IT owner) and it has an option for EWS sync. Never had to sync the EWS, but I was able to do other thing with it such as read ABS module to tell me which wheel sensor was bad (Front left), reset some BMW members and my SRS lights.

So it looks like PA Soft & INPA can do it if you have either of those.

I don't have either, but hopefully one of my local Indy shops will. Hopefully they are open tomorrow and I will update everyone on what they find.

I have bad news...remember when I wrote that I had seen this issue before...well I found the old thread...and when you read thru it you'll see that there were several other BMW owners that did the same thing...and their keys NEVER worked again.

The only solution was the purchase of a new key....here's a direct link (its an e38 forum, but it has the same set-up as the e53):http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...n+battery+died

Found the following info

13. #Recovering key synchronization
Attempt to start BMW vehicle haVINg the battery discharged often lead to key synchronization loss, and
as a result, starter does not react when you are trying to start the engine even with fully recharged battery. Vehicle
diagnosis via GT-1 or Modic-DIS can indicate the variable key code mismatch. Recover key synchronization and
EWS3 unit using dealer’s diagnosis hardware GT-1 or Modic-DIS is impossible! The only solution will be to
order new key from dealer using vehicle’s VIN number.

EWS Editor allows you to recover key and EWS3 unit synchronization.
Recovering key and EWS3 unit synchronization procedure:
• Read EWS3 data using function [ Read EWS ]
• Save the dump of read EWS3 unit into a file using the [ Save BIN ] function
• Read the key data using the function [ Read KEY ] and remember it’s number 4)
• Uncheck the “Used” field for this key
• When you will be asked [ Mark key (X) as unused? ] answer YES – to proceed, or NO – to cancel the
operation.
• Store data in EWS3 using [ Save EWS ] function
4) – Factory anti-theft unit EWS3 works with ten keys, purchasing the vehicle owner gets four keys – №0, №1,
№2 и №3, other keys may be ordered from official dealer by VIN number.
(X) – number of the key.

at this website

http://www.aetools.us/Docs%20and%20p...Editor_eng.pdf

Perhaps you can contact this website and ask if they have a list of Indy that brought their product to repair BMW. I don't think you want to spend $2000 to fix the X for a key issue.


Looks like Qsilver7 is right, don't waste your time and money at the Indy, order new keys thru the stealers.

Thanks, Qsilver, I am really regretting not having a second key now! Hopefully everyone will make sure they have a spare key that works, because this really sucks. Now I am going to have to have the car towed to a shop to have it fixed and who knows what this is going to end up costing me. I will keep you all informed on what happens from here.

wow - a key can be killed just be leaving it in the ignition... Learned something new today....

Years ago, I had to get a new key for the E39, the dealer wanted $160 for it... I had AAA+, and tried to get their locksmith to get replacement keys... since their locksmith could not get the BMW keys, the AAA+ cut me a $100 check for the problem, which i "applied" towards the purchase price.

I am not sure if the AAA still does it, or maybe the insurance companies have it under the "lock out" clause, but it might be worth checking into it...

sorry elmo, we could not get your car started... at least, you got a new battery out of all of this...

Yes, a $260 battery that is useless because the key is shot. I just hope it doesn't cost too much from here on out.

Thanks for all the attempts to help me, I will let you all know how this ends up and how much it costs me.