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HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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RoShamBo
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HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by RoShamBo » Fri Mar 07, 2014 1:54 pm

OK both of my keys have stopped working the locking / unlocking / boot release function.
They have been iffy for a while and now given up the ghost.
Car still starts and I can unlock the doors with the key.

Any suggestions ? I have tried re-programming the keys (there is a lot of info out there on this !) using several different method :
key in, ignition 1, key out, hold unlock and press lock 3 times)
key in, ignition 2, press and hold unlock, remove key, press lock 3x etc etc
Nothing seems to work.

Any ideas ?

I have been reading that its 99% often not the battery in the fob - though these can be changed.

Both going so soon after each other suggests its not batteries in both fobs.

Its a 2003 X5 4.4i if that makes any difference obviously with the diamond key.

Cheers

Ro

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scratchpole
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Re: HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by scratchpole » Fri Mar 07, 2014 8:25 pm

Does your central locking button on the central console work?

Do the interior lights work?

My keys stopped working almost as soon as I bought my X5 and I could only open the door with the key in the lock. Also the interior lights stopped working.

Fixed today with a new General Body Module. Still, my wallet is a lot lighter!
Scratchpole

E53 X5 3.0i Auto 2003
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Previous BMWs
E3 2500 Auto
E36 3-Series 2.5i Coupe Manual
E34 5-Series 2.5 Saloon Auto

RoShamBo
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Re: HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by RoShamBo » Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:07 pm

Yes, central locking button works and all interior lights are fine.
Also when the car is locked the fuel filler cap is also locked (sometimes if it isn't that can point to a blown fuse ?)

What I don't understand, is that the buttons on the remote are not working, then how are you even able to programme the keys - as that requires pushing the buttons....and if the car isn't picking up the signal then how does it do it when it's being programmed ???

So it could be battery needs changing or the antenna is maybe faulty - is there any way of knowing / testing this ?

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andymk
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Re: HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by andymk » Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:32 pm

i had same problem i got the divertisy unit changed £352 from stealership...all 3 keys work fine now  :)
bmw x5 3.0i - 2003
pug 406 coupe 3.0i v6 - 1998
pug 306 1.4i - 2000

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X5Sport
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Re: HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by X5Sport » Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:33 pm

Try procedure 2 in the thread below.

Your procedure didn't work on mine a few years back, but the second procedure did.

Key thread.  See reply #8.

Richard
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

RoShamBo
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Re: HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by RoShamBo » Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:34 pm

Thanks will give that a go.

RoShamBo
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Re: HELP ! Keys stopped working !

Post by RoShamBo » Sat Mar 08, 2014 5:47 pm

Nope - tried it and nothing.

Worth changing the battery on the fob as a next step ?

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