Key remote does not work

TonyJ · 10-04-2012, 07:51 PM

Hi,
I usually rotate the 2 keys every few months. They never have any problems even after serveral month of inactivity so I can assume their batteries can last at least that long. This time, after 3 days of not using the car, my current key's remote no longer works (it can still physically unlock and start the car). I have been driving with the non-working key for serveral days hoping to get it recharged, but it still not working. My other key works well.

Do I have a sudden dead battery or the key just lost sync? I know the procedure to reprogram the key, however it requires to do it in the order of key1, key2, etc. I don't know which key is key1. If my non-working key is key1 and it indeed has a dead battery, would it render my working key not working? I just don't want to risk the working key.

Appreciate your suggestions.

Shonky · 10-06-2012, 07:51 PM

Physically unlocking and starting the car have nothing to do with the battery or the remote section of the key.

Doesn't matter which order you resync to my knowledge and even if it did, just re-sync in the opposite order. You can't hurt your other key.

The batteries do die, but I would expect it to be a slow death rather than an instant one.

TonyJ · 10-07-2012, 01:15 AM

That's a great relief, and I did the reprogramming now both keys are working. I just scratch my head why my current key stopped working just after 3 days of not driving. It can only be a) a sudden battery death but now it is recharged. b) somehow this key lost sync.

The only other explanation would be this key has gone through airport x-ray. Could the x-ray wipe out the chip memory? That reason is very remote.

Shonky · 10-07-2012, 01:19 AM

X-ray, no, otherwise all sorts of things would be getting broken - phones, laptops etc

Could be the battery is on its last legs. See how it goes.

Crespo5190 · 10-17-2012, 09:57 AM

How do you resync the key? My key stopped working out of nowhere. I was sitting on my key and when I went back out to my car it just didn't work.

Shonky · 10-17-2012, 10:00 AM

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=resync+e46+remote+control

First hit

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=751484

Crespo5190 · 10-17-2012, 05:04 PM

Wooohoo!! Thanks. Now my key works fine

10-04-2012, 07:51 PM	#1
TonyJ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 241 My Ride: E46 330i View My Garage	Key remote does not work Hi, I usually rotate the 2 keys every few months. They never have any problems even after serveral month of inactivity so I can assume their batteries can last at least that long. This time, after 3 days of not using the car, my current key's remote no longer works (it can still physically unlock and start the car). I have been driving with the non-working key for serveral days hoping to get it recharged, but it still not working. My other key works well. Do I have a sudden dead battery or the key just lost sync? I know the procedure to reprogram the key, however it requires to do it in the order of key1, key2, etc. I don't know which key is key1. If my non-working key is key1 and it indeed has a dead battery, would it render my working key not working? I just don't want to risk the working key. Appreciate your suggestions.

10-07-2012, 01:15 AM	#3
TonyJ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 241 My Ride: E46 330i View My Garage	That's a great relief, and I did the reprogramming now both keys are working. I just scratch my head why my current key stopped working just after 3 days of not driving. It can only be a) a sudden battery death but now it is recharged. b) somehow this key lost sync. The only other explanation would be this key has gone through airport x-ray. Could the x-ray wipe out the chip memory? That reason is very remote. Last edited by TonyJ; 10-07-2012 at 01:27 AM.

10-17-2012, 09:57 AM	#5
Crespo5190 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: El Monte CA Posts: 1,365 My Ride: 2001 325CI View My Garage	How do you resync the key? My key stopped working out of nowhere. I was sitting on my key and when I went back out to my car it just didn't work. __________________ -Tony

10-17-2012, 05:04 PM	#7
Crespo5190 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: El Monte CA Posts: 1,365 My Ride: 2001 325CI View My Garage	Wooohoo!! Thanks. Now my key works fine __________________ -Tony

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10-06-2012, 07:51 PM	#2
Shonky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 282 My Ride: 2004 E46 M3 View My Garage	Physically unlocking and starting the car have nothing to do with the battery or the remote section of the key. Doesn't matter which order you resync to my knowledge and even if it did, just re-sync in the opposite order. You can't hurt your other key. The batteries do die, but I would expect it to be a slow death rather than an instant one.

10-07-2012, 01:19 AM	#4
Shonky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 282 My Ride: 2004 E46 M3 View My Garage	X-ray, no, otherwise all sorts of things would be getting broken - phones, laptops etc Could be the battery is on its last legs. See how it goes.

10-17-2012, 10:00 AM	#6
Shonky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 282 My Ride: 2004 E46 M3 View My Garage	http://lmgtfy.com/?q=resync+e46+remote+control First hit http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=751484