Key won't start my car (solution provided)

OK.. up until last week I had two working master keys, last week one of them stopped starting the car, it would do everything else just fine, but turning the key in the igniton did not start the car.

My second key would start the car just fine.

The dealership reported this code "32 - EWS: key no 4. incorrect random code". This is a transponder problem and not related to the key battery or programming the key to the car. BMW quoted me $750.00 for a replacement master key..

Solution:

I did some looking around and found a New Zealand company that said it could repair/refurbish the key for $150.00NZD + courier costs. (Terry at GT Mechtronix - http://www.gtmechtronix.co.nz/)

I've got key back and it now works perfectly.

Total costs about $200.00NZD + $48.00AUD shipping to get the key to him.. (I also requested the return of the original key housing.)


As you can see the new key shaft is a little longer, (the buttons are also a little stiffer, this could change though use), I'm very happy with the results.

Hope someone finds this info useful someday.

very helpful indeed. I have got the exact same problem...

One key starts the car but the button functions don't work. ie locking and unlocking.

The other key locks and unlock but doesn't start the car..

I have purchased two blank keys with the new transponder shells and I plan to get the blank keys cut

After getting the blanks cut I will move the transponder chips from the old keys into the new keys with new batteries and then try to program the keys myself using the sequences that u can find on the web.

If the programming sequences fail then I will take the keys to an auto locksmith in north Melbourne who specialised in transponder key programming.. this shop is the same place that I will get to cut the black

Costs:
Blank keys with shells : $15 each
Batteries : $5 each
Getting blanks cut: $55 each
Programming (if needed) : $55 each

If this fails then I will most definitely go down the same path ad yourself.. !

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Bimmer

Originally Posted by IMMMI

After getting the blanks cut I will move the transponder chips from the old keys into the new keys with new batteries and then try to program the keys myself using the sequences that u can find on the web.

You're referring to the process required to program the key to the car so remote access works?

Sounds like it will work for the key that still starts the car..move the electronics to the new case, replace the battery and (re)cut the key and it should just work.

On the other key, unless you've got a dry joint on the circut board (ews chip) you can fix yourself I'd guess his going to have to repair the ews chip for you, (I suspect they manually read the chip and write it out to a new one?)

Your price is still $85 dollars less than I paid, which would be great news for others.. let us know how it goes.

Very helpful thanks.
Mine stopped working again tonight after doing the DIY key battery replacement and programming just a few months ago so i may have to order a new one from there unless its just my battery again.

Guys you seem experienced with this issue, you might be able to help me with my problem, I bought a BMW 2002 318i with key that only can starts the engine and open the doors manually, I searched the web and learnt how to replace the battery, I did replaced the battery successfully with no damage to any chip on the key, and I used and original one, but when I tried to program it there was no luck, I tried every single method on the web and frustrated now, is there anything that I can do, or maybe that shop in north Melbourne, any contact details ??
Any help appreciated

I really can't solve your problem.

If the car still starts with the key then the transponder chip is still working, if your having trouble with remote features then I'd be looking for physical damage to the circuit board/chips/antenna..

I've checked it with one of the specialists he couldn't even program another ket on it, so the problem isn't in the key, and it's in car, any ideas ?

This was informative.

http://www.bmwgm5.com/

You could also have an antenna issue at the car.

(I'm not sure you can program a generic key for your cars remote functions, which is what you seem to be saying for specialist did)

You can get a new replacement key from Bimmernav http://www.bimmernav.com/url/key for $250. It is a brand new original BMW key and is exactly what you get when ordering from a BMW dealer. The keys come from BMW headquarters in Germany and are not some hacked up version that may work for a few weeks like someone offered to make for me originally for about the same price.

I ordered mine and got it within 10 days and could not be happier

^ As long as they ship to Australia.