E 46 ignition key battery

[Kurt Adv]

What battery does the E46 ignition key use? I don't feel like stripping the key first to check.

 

[Kyle]

If it's original then it uses a rechargeable battery that is soldered onto the board. There are replacement units that can be soldered onto the board or you could purchase an aftermarket key that uses a replaceable battery.

 

[Kurt Adv]

Thanks Kyle, I'm aware of all of that, but don't know the code of the battery

 

[444YYY]

It’s LIR 2025

 

[DonovanPorter]

i replaced mine the other day , took about 30 minutes of messin around to separate the fob, replaced the battery and done works like a charm (i replaced my battery with a CR2016)

 

[444YYY]

i replaced mine the other day , took about 30 minutes of messin around to separate the fob, replaced the battery and done works like a charm (i replaced my battery with a CR2016)

Is this an oem key or aftermarket replacement key?

 

[DonovanPorter]

OEM key

in my opinion i doubt the original batteries charge

 

[Kurt Adv]

CR 2016, thank you, that's the info I wanted.

 

[DonovanPorter]

cool.

 

[444YYY]

Let us know how it goes, CR2016, has no pins that has to be soldered... if you open it up and you find the battery has pins... then it is LIR2025.

 

[DonovanPorter]

For reference this is my key fob.
2004 318i Touring E46

View attachment 6
View attachment 7

 

[Kurt Adv]

Just changed the battery, but the key had a CR 2026 battery, a bit thicker than the CR 2016.

 

[DonovanPorter]

does it work correctly ?

 

[Kurt Adv]

Yes, but I'll fit the correct battery asap.

 

[DonovanPorter]

great

 

[Coisman]

Been using the same keys for my 2003 with no issues. I just swop them out every 3 months.