XSeries-forum

my main keyfob decided to stop working today although the wife tells me it started playing up a bit last week.
i am guessing that it needs a new battery as it is a 53 plate and they obviously dont last forever but what is the best/cheapest way of me sorting it. i remember trying to replace the battery in my old 330 coupe keyfob which was the same as the x5 one and although i did manage the battery replacement i never managed to actually get it to work again.

I haven't had this problem myself but check out these threads mate they may help...
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/mis ... b-e53.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... ose-x.html

good luck!
IIRC Sanj had a problem with his keyfob way back but i can't remember the outcome

its not always the battey infact we have never had to change a battery

buy we have changed a good few buttons and the boards in side,we can also change over the ews coding from one key to another if needed

Mine was a board change by Jason...

Still working.

Problem was due to the key not being used for over 2 years...

my key is used daily so definately not down to a lack of use.
what should my next step be jason as i dont really want to be pulling it apart myself if it isnt even the battery at fault.
can it be repaired by sending you the fob or do you need the car as well.

Try this - lifted from xoutpost so all credit to them...

Reprogramming Key Fob

To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

1. with the both keys, get in the car and close all windows and doors.
2. Put working key into the ignition and turn to position 1 (the accessories should turn on)
3. turn the key back to position 0 and take key out of the ignition.
4. Using the working key, hold down the unlock button, press the Roundel (lock button) 3 times, and release the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock.
5. With the new key, hold down the unlock button and press the Roundel (lock button) 3 times and let go of the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock and you're done!!

Alternate procedure if above doesn't work or if you do not have a working remote:

1. Place key in the ignition and cycle back and forth between position 0 and position 1 five times very quickly
2. Remove the key from the ignition
3. While holding down the unlock button, press the lock button 3 times and then release the unlock button. The doors should lock and unlock to confirm the programming.
4. If you have another key to program then repeat step 3 for the additional remote(s). The doors should lock and unlock to confirm the programming.
5. Turn on ignition to finalize

i had probs with my keys the same and rang the main dealer..they said there were no batterys in the key fobs and that the brain inside was charged by the ignition...the brain has 2 parts...one runs the button to open everything , the other runs the key end which mobilises the engine and starts the car... i had 2 keys...one opend the doors remotly but woulnt start the car the other would only start the car...i had no knowledge of reprogramming so decided to use one to open and one as a key for the engine...dealer said £120 for a new key and he needed your passport and johhny size to have another one programmed..

i may be wrong.but i have two keys that can only do one thing...both of them are female of coarse!!!!! but then again at 18 to the gallon...just who is the fool in my house...

No they definitely have a battery in them - 3v rechargeable. I took mine out myself. The board gets the charge from that battery...

If the car doesn't start then the EWS chip is shot - equals new key, if it's the buttons that don't work, a lot have said the procedure outlined below has worked for them.

dont think my problem is the ews then as it will start the car fine.cheers sanj i will give the reprogramming a go tomorrow.

Here's another useful link - I used it to replace my battery:

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/mis ... b-e53.html

i actually just did what it said in one of the links and tapped it on a hard surface and voila all working again nice cheap fix

Glad the links helped..you must have dropped the keyfob perhaps and dislodged something inside.

I have had an intermittent fault with both keyfobs for the 6 months I have owned my 03 car, sometimes both fobs will not open or lock the car.

It is still under Dealer warranty and has been back 5 times to have this fixed, each time they say no fault found!

I accept that intermittent faults are hard to trace but it fails at least twice a week and I am losing my patience.

What do people suggest I do?

I am about to write to the MD of the dealership, Sytner Head Office and BMW UK.

I am tempted to do what this guy did;

I've got a vinyl cutter.
Just let me know what you want cutting and I'll do it for the cost of the vinyl.
And I don;t mind cutting swear words if you want

Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it if the Dealer doesn't play ball.