Found Remote key.

[ibart]

My spare remote has given up the ghost, guess dropping it into the dogs water bowl wasn't the brightest thing to do, and I'm after a decent working remote key so I can swap the parts over, I think the circuit board is toast and the unlock rubber is perished hence why the water got in. The one I have looks like this and is the single battery unit with Siemens internals. I have tried to dry things out but no joy. Would consider a new key but I believe you have to be sitting down when you get the price for one of them.

 

[mrscalex]

You’ll find one on eBay for about £5-£10.

I would hope it’s only the circuit board that’s knackered. So in theory that’s all you need from the donor key. Hopefully the small transponder chip is okay as it’s totally sealed.

If the key still fires up the car the chip is fine. The PCB and battery has nothing to do with starting the car.

If the chip is knackered, you’ll either need a whole new key done or a sympathetic auto locksmith who will just program the chip.

Don’t confuse that (security related) stage with the need to resync the new PCB/key to the car with the well published procedure that takes about 60 seconds. That second procedure is for unlocking/locking the car remotely and arming/disarming the alarm.

If you get really stuck with anything including finding a PCB or key give me a shout. I’ve made several new keys using donor PCBs.

Before you do anything else I would get the PCB out, ensure it’s totally dry over several days and trying a new battery.

 

[Low Rider]

Have you considered the key might need reprogramming to the car.

 

[mrscalex]

By the way. I would soldier on with the worn button. It and the key blade are integral to the case.

You will see replacement button pads on eBay but I’d rather have a worn original as it will still probably work better.

 

[mrscalex]

Have you considered the key might need reprogramming to the car.

Re-syncing = user sequence to make key known as a remote device of that car. That procedure will be required after any renewal/reset but I doubt that’s all that is wrong here.

Re-programming = specialist job setting up a new transponder chip which is part of the security system.

 

[ibart]

You’ll find one on eBay for about £5-£10.

I would hope it’s only the circuit board that’s knackered. So in theory that’s all you need from the donor key. Hopefully the small transponder chip is okay as it’s totally sealed.

If the key still fires up the car the chip is fine. The PCB and battery has nothing to do with starting the car.

If the chip is knackered, you’ll either need a whole new key done or a sympathetic auto locksmith who will just program the chip.

Don’t confuse that (security related) stage with the need to resync the new PCB/key to the car with the well published procedure that takes about 60 seconds. That second procedure is for unlocking/locking the car remotely and arming/disarming the alarm.

If you get really stuck with anything including finding a PCB or key give me a shout. I’ve made several new keys using donor PCBs.

Before you do anything else I would get the PCB out, ensure it’s totally dry over several days and trying a new battery.

Thanks for the advice I think the chip is ok so it's just the PCB (I've tried drying, packing in rice etc), I think it was on the way out anyway and this was the final nail in the coffin. They are a bit scarce on E Bay currently (plenty of diamond shape ones) and some have two rather than the one battery. I would consider a new one if anyone has advice on where there is a sympathetic locksmith somewhere close to Rugby.

 

[mrscalex]

Unless BMW do you a key (at a cost of around £200) using whatever official interfacing methods they use, any locksmith, you or me would need to remove the EWS to make a new key. And most will still charge £100-£150.

The EWS is the small security control module near the steering column. It’s 10 mins to get it in and out by removing the underdash panel.

There are people on eBay who will cut you a new key, supply a PCB and program the chip for about £80. But as for an auto locksmith the key, buttons, case will be a Chinese copy (possibly with a donor original PCB) and won’t quite have the same feel to it. You will also need to send your EWS in the post. So a security risk sending it to a stranger, it may get lost in the post and you may have less comeback if they damage it. The process carries some degree of risk.

Most people opt for BMW taking all the above into account. Or if they are stupid like me spend around 60 hours understanding how it all works, buy a programmer and start making their own. I can’t cut keys. But I get them done for £15.

I would still be trying to get your old key to work.

Does the key still start the car? If it does I’m confident we can get you back in business with a PCB only. A new battery and a resync.

I have a personal supply of tested 3-button PCBs. I can send one for £15 posted. And will provide help to get working by PM. I wouldn’t normally sell these but I’ve done all the keys I need for now and have a few spare.

Im also sympathetic to domestic disasters involving dogs. In fact I’m replacing a chewed door frame and architrave from when they were puppies 6 years ago. It’s taken me that long to trust they won’t do it again

 

[Low Rider]

Re-syncing = user sequence to make key known as a remote device of that car. That procedure will be required after any renewal/reset but I doubt that’s all that is wrong here.

Re-programming = specialist job setting up a new transponder chip which is part of the security system.

Personally I would give it a go. It ain't going to cost anything try and probably a replacement key may be required but I would have kicked myself for not trying out a reprogramming of the old key.

 

[mrscalex]

Actually if you PM me I can give you the details of very good key repairer who will repair and refurbish the key for £30.

Should have thought of them earlier. I use them for my non Z3 keys. They’ve repaired a non-functioning Citroen C2 key and 2 Seat Alhambra keys. One of the Alhambra keys went in the wash, the other was scalped by a lawn mower although still working.

Should have thought of them originally. But was too focused on your request for a PCB

But dry your PCB thoroughly first, new battery and re-sync.

 

[petecossie]

The eBay reproduction Chinese keys are actually a different construction to OEM keys and I gave up trying to use them to refurb my original OEM keys which had extremely worn rubber buttons. The rubber pads are not interchangeable (well not from the ones I purchased) I got a couple of old keys from Andy (Spurs fan in a coupe) and managed with a bit of care to transfer the rubber pads over. A bit of a faff to do but the new pads look better than the completely worn out original pads.

 

[mrscalex]

The eBay reproduction Chinese keys are actually a different construction to OEM keys and I gave up trying to use them to refurb my original OEM keys which had extremely worn rubber buttons. The rubber pads are not interchangeable (well not from the ones I purchased) I got a couple of old keys from Andy (Spurs fan in a coupe) and managed with a bit of care to transfer the rubber pads over. A bit of a faff to do but the new pads look better than the completely worn out original pads.

The trouble is the pads are bonded in on both original and copies.

And the rubber prongs on the back of the pad buttons that touches the circuit board are too long, displace the circuit board and make the back cover a poor fit. But they do work.

 

[ibart]

Tried the resync and no joy. Will PM about the key repairer as I have a Saab one that's playing up as well (not my fault this time) so might see if both can be fixed.

 

[Clockwatcher]

@mrscalex,

Hopefully it is as simple as a dry solder joint or a corroded contact that needs cleaned. For the switches I have found a squirt of electrical contact cleaner and a function check with a DVM works wonders. As for the dry joints, someone proficient with the use of a soldering iron should be capable of checking if that is the culprit. Fingers crossed its a simple fix for you.