another wierd key FOB thing
 

Hey all, it has been awhile since I have been on here, that means things are working good - yeah! We have an 03 X5 4.4 owned since new (wife's car) The usual key FOB quit unlocking and locking doors. We have always taken the extra key every few months and use if for a few days to charge it.

The daily FOB quit working, still starts the car jus would not lock or unlock electronically. I took both keys and did the whole programing thing all within the 30 seconds. The extra key programs and works fine the old will not reprogram. I suspect something inside the key has worn out. Does anyone know if this is the case? Any clues? I read where someone called GM5 can repair keys but could not fine out much about what that involved.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Here's a link to Scott's web site...if you have any questions and the FAQs and info he has posted doesn't quite answer your questions...I'm sure if you contact him...he can explain in more detail:
BMW General Module 5 (GMV, ZKE V)

Thanks QSilver, I will look into this right away. I appreciate your help.

If the other key works fine then it's not your GM3 module.

The rechargeable battery in your key is most likely all that's worn out there.

It's not as simple as replacing one in the typical remote style, as it's soldered into place, and taking the key FOB apart needs to be done correctly and carefully or it can be damaged to where it's more expensive to fix, or completely ruined, but if your other key works and that one is fudged, the battery in it is where I'd start, and Scott can take care of that also.

Just an FYI...I was amazed the other week when on one of the BMW forums I'm on...the battery replacement for the new style key came up...and there are BMW owners out there now installing the replaceable 2016 battery inside the new style keys...forgoing the VL??? rechargeable battery that needs to be soldered.

Sorry I don't remember (I'm on 3 e39/e38 forums and 4 X5 forums)...but I do remember Bluebee chiming in, too...so it was probably an e39 forum.

Again, the word is going around that the easily found 2016 battery (the one used in the old style key) is being used as a replacment battery instead of the rechargeable battery that needs to be soldered to the board...then being glued back together. I did mention that they should have taken pics so that others could see how to place the 2016 inside the key...because it obviously need to make contact to something on the board so that the coil can get powered up etc.

I'll try to see if I can google a few key words to find that thread.

RDCX5 and QSilver,

Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. I went on to the GM5 website as QSilver directed and it was not clear that it was the module. After lots of reading I too suspected maybe a battery in the key FOB so I emailed Scott. He just got back to me and thinks it still might be a module thing but wants me to send in the key to him so that is where I will start. I will post the results in case anyone else has this problem. Thanks a lot for your help and direction.

I have been in auto parts stores that have a "tester" on the counter. It is used to test key fobs. A simple tool that lights up when you press a button on your key fob. It checks to see if you have a output singnal.

I found it...it was a thread over on the e39 forum at BimmerFest...the forum member Bem-ster is the one that brought up how he used a 2016 (regular) battery in his new style key (around post #7): Key FOB question - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Thanks all for your help on my Key FOB. I mailed the Key FOB to GM5. Here are my results.

It took about a 2 week turnaround. Got the key back today. I could tell he had opened the key up cuz there was a lot of glue around it that I cleaned off with a little rubbing alcohol. I tried syncing the keys. The second one would sync the first one would not. So I emailed GM5 and he said READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. I was inserting each key in the ignition. Don't do that.

After I reread the instructions I synced it correctly. Both the repaired key and the spare key worked magnificently now. I asked GM5 what the repair was and he did not know so I cannot tell you folks what he did. He did state that if the key had not been opened up it was not the battery. So I can only guess it was a bad button or loose connection within the Key FOB.

Thank you everyone. For about $60 I have a spare key again.

Thanks for the update...glad it all got sorted out for you. :thumbup: