E46 immobiliser query!

[Yuben]

Guys I had something peculiar happen to me on Friday night. I parked at Clearwater Mall as normal. About 2 hours later when I jumped in, the car refused to start.
Everything worked, the radio, lights, air con, hazards, windows, etc. I could arm and disarm the car but it just would not swing.

Not even the dead battery "click,click" sound. I managed to roll it out it the intention to kick start, but it refused to kick start.

This led me to believe that it could have something to do with the alarm/immobiliser.

After playing with the key, I closed the sunroof, and suddenly it started:bangdesk:

I just don't know what it could be:argh:

If the batteries were low in the key, would it not have prevented me from disarming the car?

I used the car yesterday morning, and there was no problem.

At lunch time today when I tried to start it, it refused again:argh:

So I immediately tried the spare key, and it started:idea:

So maybe there is a problem with the original key?

Or is there something else majorly wrong?

Can the system be overidden somehow?

My concern is that I'm driving down to Durban on Friday morning and can't afford to get stuck.

It's not like it will kick start:bangdesk:

Anyone else has something similar happen to them on the E46.

Pleas help...

 

[samman325]

I had a similar issue early last year. Turned out to be my ignition switch. Could be your ignition switch is on its way out?

Its located in the steering cover, behing the actual ignition and is an easy thing to replace. Cant recall exactly but my new switch from agents was about R700.

 

[Yuben]

Thanks, any idea who can check the swtich, or is it something that needs replacing ?

My concern is that I tried the old key this morning, and it did not start, but immediately I tried the spare key and it started.:bangdesk:

Could it just be the key?

Can the battery in the key be replaced cos the key looks like a sealed unit.

 

[samman325]

I managed to squeeze a few extra months out of my switch after the first few signs of trouble by opening it up and cleaning the contact points. Its quite a simple little contraption really.

Unfortunatley i dont know of a way to test it. I did alot of research and eventually narrowed it down to the pint where i just bought the switch a with a 'gut feel'. The research did however show that the ignition swiches are a failure point on these cars.

Havent had an issue ever since.

As far as i know the keys (battery) are supposed to be charged from the ignition and are definitely sealed units. But i have seen posts on the net of people prying them open and replacing batteries.

 

[H|TM@N]

Yuben, just reprogram your key and try that first before you start spending money.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?660142-DIY-BMW-E46-key-fob-reprogramming

 

[Tris]

There is a video on youtube on how to change the battery, however try to re programme the key first

 

[Yuben]

Thanks guys. But the spare key is virtually brand new and working fine.

Where do I reprogram the key?

 

[Kamz]

Thanks guys. But the spare key is virtually brand new and working fine.

Where do I reprogram the key?

Yuben, I had the same issue with my 330 , its the transponder in the key that's faulty. You will need a new transponder generally this comes with a new key... :thumbdo: Apparently this happens when the key gets dropped excessively.

 

[Yuben]

Thanks.

 

[GPGrobler]

Agreed, it is the transponder problem, the remote for the alarm and the transponder is separate, especially in the older keys. The locksmiths also charge separately to program the "alarm part" and the "transponder part" of the key. The alarm part we can program ourselves, but we need a locksmith's help to program the transponder.

 

[Pho3niX90]

Hey yuben

Yes it is a sealed unit but open's easily with a utility knife, just need the proper glue to put it back together.

What I have noticed with these keys are the solder point tend to break loose, this has happened to me twice already both the 318 and x5, I just re-solder and close them back up.

 

[GPGrobler]

I bought a new key for my E46, and took out the transponder chip from the old key and put it in the new one, now the alarm works and the car starts with the same key.

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However, anyone know of a better price for the key? I was charged R900.00 for the key, and if the transponder had to be programmed an additional R900.00 = R1800.00!!!