Key Problems

[[email protected]]

Hello, I have had a strange problem, which hopefully some one can assit or expalain. I have a 330D E46. So far I have put the problem down to the key.
I have been using the key for 2 years, and it seems to be working OK, locks unlocks the car and all that, but over the past few days when turning the ignition, the car doesnt start ( it doesnt even swing the motor) In the begining it would take a few turns and then start. This happened again yesterday , but I couldnt get the car started. I then went and got my spare key and the car started perfect. Is this a key problem? or something else ?
The original key does everything it is supposed to except start the car.

Any responses will be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Dippies]

Maybe the key'electronics is on its way out but this would constitute that the locking and unlocking would also be affected.


Does your car have a wishbone in the ignition. Its the first place I would start looking. My e36 had a similar problem and it turned out that the wishbone in the ignition was stuffed.

 

[Ralf*]

maybe you need to "re-code" the key

easy to DIY

lots of links here on the forum and on youtube

 

[[email protected]]

Maybe the key'electronics is on its way out but this would constitute that the locking and unlocking would also be affected.


Does your car have a wishbone in the ignition. Its the first place I would start looking. My e36 had a similar problem and it turned out that the wishbone in the ignition was stuffed.

I am not sure...I dont know too much about mechanics and electronics.

 

[ChefDJ]

Sounds like the problem I had. See my thread:

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=46649

Eventually I got two new keys made, as I didn't have a spare, and I haven't had any problems since :thumbs:

So I would suggest getting a new key made first, before doing the bigger checks/repairs.

I know a guy that will come out to your house, and will cut, program and code a brand new key for you for around 2k :thumbs:

PM me if interested

 

[Kyle]

Maybe the key'electronics is on its way out but this would constitute that the locking and unlocking would also be affected.


Does your car have a wishbone in the ignition. Its the first place I would start looking. My e36 had a similar problem and it turned out that the wishbone in the ignition was stuffed.

I can't quite make out what your signature says, maybe you can make it slightly bigger and more eye catching?

 

[JayDrft]

@Wade,

I can only give you some of my experience I had on my e30.

Had exactly the same symptoms...does everything right except starting the car....am I right in saying that you might not even be getting ignition lights.

For me it was a 2 part issue, first traced the problem to the immobiliser..some dry connections(could be expected from a 20+yr old car)

I then checked the ignition mechanism itself, it turns out the part that the key turns(barrel) pushes into another item which is your actual ignition switch...so the key and barrel turn a tab which fits into the ignition goodie...where the tab met the ignition wiring, it was cracked - hence allowing the car to swing sometimes and others not.

The easiest way to see if this is your problem, is to get the covers around the ignition switch off...(perhaps what Dippies was referring to(the wishbone) - could be this portion i am talking about.)

Please indicate if this is the case....well it would be the cheapest and easiest fix....specially if your electronics are all doing what they are supposed to.

Hope it helps.

I found this made my life a lot easier. Lets hope thats your issue cause thats probably the easiest to fix.

 

[[email protected]]

@Wade,

I can only give you some of my experience I had on my e30.

Had exactly the same symptoms...does everything right except starting the car....am I right in saying that you might not even be getting ignition lights.

For me it was a 2 part issue, first traced the problem to the immobiliser..some dry connections(could be expected from a 20+yr old car)

I then checked the ignition mechanism itself, it turns out the part that the key turns(barrel) pushes into another item which is your actual ignition switch...so the key and barrel turn a tab which fits into the ignition goodie...where the tab met the ignition wiring, it was cracked - hence allowing the car to swing sometimes and others not.

The easiest way to see if this is your problem, is to get the covers around the ignition switch off...(perhaps what Dippies was referring to(the wishbone) - could be this portion i am talking about.)

Please indicate if this is the case....well it would be the cheapest and easiest fix....specially if your electronics are all doing what they are supposed to.

Hope it helps.

I found this made my life a lot easier. Lets hope thats your issue cause thats probably the easiest to fix.

Hi, Thanx for the advice. The Key does everything except turn the engine , no clicking or anything. All ignition lights and everything else is working. Will have a look and let you know if I find out what the problem is.
Thank again. I actually just thought maybe the battery in the key has given up, cos my spare key seems to be working fine so far.

 

[Dippies]

@Wade,

I can only give you some of my experience I had on my e30.

Had exactly the same symptoms...does everything right except starting the car....am I right in saying that you might not even be getting ignition lights.

For me it was a 2 part issue, first traced the problem to the immobiliser..some dry connections(could be expected from a 20+yr old car)

I then checked the ignition mechanism itself, it turns out the part that the key turns(barrel) pushes into another item which is your actual ignition switch...so the key and barrel turn a tab which fits into the ignition goodie...where the tab met the ignition wiring, it was cracked - hence allowing the car to swing sometimes and others not.

The easiest way to see if this is your problem, is to get the covers around the ignition switch off...(perhaps what Dippies was referring to(the wishbone) - could be this portion i am talking about.)

Please indicate if this is the case....well it would be the cheapest and easiest fix....specially if your electronics are all doing what they are supposed to.

Hope it helps.

I found this made my life a lot easier. Lets hope thats your issue cause thats probably the easiest to fix.

:thumbs::thumbs: