replacing battery in key fob....

Originally Posted by sikhkd

does anyone know of a way to change the battery and reset the key without having to use another key?

Why do you need another key to reset the one you replaced the battery in? You just stick it in the ignition, turn it to the on position, remove it within 5 seconds, then hold the unlock button down and press the lock button 3 times within 10 seconds and release both buttons. The doors should lock/unlock to give you confirmation and your key should work. You do not need another key in order to do this. If it doesn't work the first time, try again, it should work.

Originally Posted by luckysnafu

Why do you need another key to reset the one you replaced the battery in? You just stick it in the ignition, turn it to the on position, remove it within 5 seconds, then hold the unlock button down and press the lock button 3 times within 10 seconds and release both buttons. The doors should lock/unlock to give you confirmation and your key should work. You do not need another key in order to do this. If it doesn't work the first time, try again, it should work.

really.. i'm going to try that. thanks for posting that up- i read it all over the forums that you need to have 2 keys inorder to reset it.

do i really need to glue it back together also ...

Jason 77 - You are a champ mate. I am going to try this in the next day or so and let you know what I stuff up.

BTW - I live in Belgium and BMW wanted 200 EURO (about $280 US) to replace the battery. WTF gives there? F$#%$%^& rapists.

I tried replacing my battery last night, I soldered it on and went outside and tried unlocking my car, it worked! funny how the key didn't reset or anything, all I had to do was replace the battery and thats it. but when I added the glue, I put a couple of weights on top of the remote so that it was shut tight, I guess the buttons were being pressed also, and this morning.. guess what, it doesn't work. im trying to figure out what happened

EDIT: just went to radio shack, tested out the battery and it came out dead..............

last night it was working, but I guess all those weights on the remote (and it was near the car, from the inside of the house) drained the battery.

do not put weights or hold the case tight while pressing any of the buttons overnight

Originally Posted by sikhkd

I tried replacing my battery last night, I soldered it on and went outside and tried unlocking my car, it worked! funny how the key didn't reset or anything, all I had to do was replace the battery and thats it. but when I added the glue, I put a couple of weights on top of the remote so that it was shut tight, I guess the buttons were being pressed also, and this morning.. guess what, it doesn't work. im trying to figure out what happened

Hmm, I clamped and zip tied mine together so the buttons were not being depressed. You might have drained the battery by putting the weight on it. try driving around for a bit with that key in the ignition? hope it works!

Originally Posted by jason 77

Hmm, I clamped and zip tied mine together so the buttons were not being depressed. You might have drained the battery by putting the weight on it. try driving around for a bit with that key in the ignition? hope it works!

yeah I havent tried that yet, hopefully that works or else I'll get another battery, at first I freaked out because a part of the chip was scratched, so I'd have to get a new remote until I went to radio shack to test the battery

Sweet!!! I have a dead key! now where is that exacto..

mines didn't charge at all, so I'm guessing these batteries aren't rechargable once they die

Originally Posted by TKC

This is GREAT!!! I am SO GLAD I told the dealer no way on $200+ for a new key!!

About to order the battery, but there's 2.... which one do I need?

http://www.mouser.com/search/refine....onic+VL2020+3v


(The difference is 2 Pin Vert or 2 Pin Horiz)

Thanks!

For future reference can Jason or TCK answer this question? Which one of the batteries you used, the vertical pin (2 Pin Vert) or the horizantal pin (2 Pin Horiz)?
Thanks

i used the horizontal pin and it worked just fine

how long did you guys work the key with your xacto before it gave way? is there a good spot to wedge it and pry or did you just slice until all the plastic was gone?

Originally Posted by 2kwiq

how long did you guys work the key with your xacto before it gave way? is there a good spot to wedge it and pry or did you just slice until all the plastic was gone?

slice it until its all gone, at first it seemed impossible but once you get the hang of it, its not so hard. start with the hole where the keyring goes, and work your way down, be careful because the knife usually slips right off

Originally Posted by sikhkd

slice it until its all gone, at first it seemed impossible but once you get the hang of it, its not so hard. start with the hole where the keyring goes, and work your way down, be careful because the knife usually slips right off

thanks for the encouragement.

i finally got through it.

for those that are thinking about trying this. you should go into it knowing that this key was NEVER meant to be opened. the damn thing looks like it was molded as one piece. as a word of advice, slice and strip the plastic straight along the groove. don't angle it or anything trying to search for a wedge...there is NONE. just work your way through the plastic and kind of dig along the groove until it comes apart. i'd say after you cut through 90% of the plastic, you MAY start prying.

for those old enough to have enjoyed shawshank redemption, think about andy dufresne. all it takes is time and pressure...that and a big goddamn poster.

i still haven't glued mines together, its taped up with clear tape, last time i valet my car i lost my ticket, and told the guy its the key thats sealed with tape hahah

just make sure when you glue it, don't put anything heavy on top so that the buttons don't get pushed, otherwise the battery will die

Dude, I was about to pay $200 for a spare from the stealer since my key only works if I hold it right up against the roof and press the button once. After I press it once, it won't work again until I plug it in and it charges up a tiny bit again.

Just ordered two batteries, just to have a spare!

Originally Posted by 2kwiq

for those old enough to have enjoyed shawshank redemption, think about andy dufresne. all it takes is time and pressure...that and a big goddamn poster.

LOL that is one of my favorite movies............. but um it isn't that old is it?

Originally Posted by jason 77

LOL that is one of my favorite movies............. but um it isn't that old is it?

Everything is old to someone!

Originally Posted by jason 77

LOL that is one of my favorite movies............. but um it isn't that old is it?

movie came out in '94...some kids that are driving now were born in '91...
to them, PS2 and XBOX1 are probably ancient.

the other day, my friend's little brother said they were studying the 80s in high school history class... HISTORY? that's OURSTORY...