New BMW E46 owner - Issue SOLVED

[Ace-82]

Morning guys, name is Andrew. bought a 2003 E46 325i about two weeks ago. I have two issues currently with the car.

1. The passenger window does not go up or down although I hear the motor in the door working. Any ideas what I can look for? Keep in mind I haven't worked on BMW's before. Use to be an Opel/Honda guy all my years.

2. Most frustrating of all. When I got the car, the owner told me both keys batteries are flat that's why the remote central locking doesn't work.

The normal central locking worked fine until yesterday. I bought two new batteries for the key, the key is an older type, with two buttons only. I replaced the batteries and still the remote central locking doesn't work.

So I started checking the fuses in the glovebox for a blown fuse. After doing this, pulling out the central locking fuses to check if they are blown or not, the central locking does not work at all, not even with the button inside the car or with the key. I now have to open and lock the doors like a 1950's Golf.

Is there something I need to do after replacing the batteries in the key perhaps or some relay I need to check perhaps?

Any info will be much appreciated guys. Thanks.

Here she is btw.

 

[Ricky318i]

1. The clips on the window regulator are probable broken. A DIY for a front door regulator repair with cable ties can be found here.
Or you need a new regulator. Try second hand parts.

2. Have you tried initializing the central locking remote?

You can find a video of it here

 

[Ace-82]

Thanks for the reply Ricky. I will check the window using the info in the link.

My key is an older version. It does not have 3 buttons like the one in this video. The central locking does not work at all when I press the buttons nor does the central locking work in the car with the button by the handbrake.

Hope this makes sense?

 

[Donovan2412]

Picture of said key?

 

[Blue Shirt]

Post a pic of your key, I don't believe the facelift E46's came out with anything other than the 3-button diamond key.

Anyway, here is the procedurefor re-initializing your keys:
https://www.bmwgm5.com/Key_Recode.htm

 

[Ace-82]

Here is a photo of the key.

 

[Blue Shirt]

That's very strange to have a 2-button key for E46 f/l, your pic looks like an old E36 key.

Try this procedure to re-initialize: http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/3-series-e36/1996-318i-2-button-remote-programming-68352.html

 

[Denzel]

Here is a photo of the key.

that looks like a e36 key but my e36 key has 3 buttons

lucky for you the e36 key can be opened from the bottom side with a screwdriver and the battery can be obtained from key replacement companies or the pharmacy should stock them as well

 

[Ace-82]

I will try this tonight, thank you very much.

---

I did replace the batteries with two new CR2016 batteries. After that the central locking from the remote still didn't want to work so I started checking the fuses and after I saw they are all still fine, the central locking completely stopped working.

 

[Gizmo]

That key does not belong to a facelift e46. What year is your car as I suspect it maybe a 1999 model that had a front end smash and facelift parts were used to fix it.

 

[Ace-82]

It's a 2002 model but imported to Mozambique because that is where I am currently staying and working. Most of the writing on all the covers are in Japanese etc.

---

This is the info from the VIN number:


VIN long xxxxxxx

Type code ET36

Type 325I (EUR)

Dev. series E46 (4FL)

Line 3

Body type LIM

Steering RL

Door count 4

Engine M54

Cubical capacity 2.50

Power 141

Transmision HECK

Gearbox AUT

Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)

Upholstery STOFF JACQUARD/ANTHRAZIT (H9AT)

Prod. date 2002-08-22

 

[kilotango]

try the initialisation procedure from the URL that was posted earlier...it could be that previous owner replaced the keys and did the transponder, but didnt initialise the central locking for the keys.

its easy

 

[Ace-82]

try the initialisation procedure from the URL that was posted earlier...it could be that previous owner replaced the keys and did the transponder, but didnt initialise the central locking for the keys.

its easy

Tried that method 4 times and 2 other methods I found online also 3 times. None of them seem to work.

 

[Ace-82]

After a long struggle and search online. I manage to get the inside central locking button to work, but the remote buttons on the key still didn't want to work regardless of what I tried. I managed now to get both to work with various methods. To reset the central locking I first used these steps

1) Insert the key in the ignition to position II and remove it quickly, within 5 seconds or so.

2) Hold down the unlock button on the key, and press the lock button three times within five seconds.

3) The doors then lock and unlock to confirm the process.

That fixed the central locking with the button in the car and manually locking the car with the key.

Then to reprogram I used these steps.

Thanks for everyone's assistance with this.

 

[kilotango]

awesome... good to hear its all sorted! and congrats on the new wheels mate :coolShake:

 

[zippy320]

This is so strange , I have never seen an E46 with a key like that . Seems as if its alarm system is different to our cars with the normal Diamond key.

I see that this car has an Inferred transmitter system. Where as Mine does not.

My E46 is a 2002 facelift Prod. date 2002-06-11 and my key is of the new type .

 

[Blert]

I'm sure the previous owner had the keys replaced. And then coded to the car. If I was you I'd get e46 keys and code them you will have less issues IMO.

As for your window it's a common problem that the window mechs give issues not so much the motors. But don't try to open and close the window cause the gears on the motor is plastic and may damage in the process of opening and closing the window. As been said replace the mech it's about an hour job if you have diy skills and it's the first time you doing it to figure out how it comes apart and putting things back

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