Car thinks key still in ignition

biffman49 · 05-01-2014, 03:30 PM

Hi all,

Had a relatively minor issue, but I'm looking to see if anyone else has had the problem, and if so, how much is cost to fix.

I've got a 2009 328i with about 50k miles, for starters.

Last night, when I tried to start the car, I put the key in and nothing happened except for the electronics starting up. Long story short, I discovered that when I would remove the key, the car was flashing the key symbol on the dash, indicating it believed the key was still in the slot.

Cue 10 minutes if popping the key in and out trying to get it to recognize that the key was no longer in there. Eventually, it did, and I was able to put the key back in and start.

I'm guessing there's an issue with the slot that you stick the key into, but I'm wondering if this is a common issue, if it's an easy fix (doubt it), and how much it might cost to fix it.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks,

Dark_Knight_335 · 05-01-2014, 03:34 PM

Comfort access or no?

hockeyplayer · 05-01-2014, 03:38 PM

My GFs e90 does this also. When the car is shut off it still thinks the key is in there (NO comfort access). We've found that sticking a finger in the slot and hitting the button at the back of the slot takes care of the problem, but if you find a real fix for this i'd love to know what it is!

good luck

biffman49 · 05-01-2014, 03:43 PM

Thanks guys - No, it's not comfort access.

Hockeyplayer, sounds like what your gf's car has. I didn't realize there was a button at the back of the slot, so I'll pop my finger in there next time. I didn't try too much last night, but that'll probably solve the problem temporarily.

If there's a button back there, there's obviously something causing it to get stuck, so I wonder if there's a better way to fix it.

rowingone · 05-01-2014, 04:16 PM

maybe some electrical contact cleaner . . .

Miller335 · 05-01-2014, 04:18 PM

I try get the carrier for the key pulled out of the dash and inspect/fix/replace.

AndreyT · 05-01-2014, 04:36 PM

All E9X cars "think" that the key is still in the slot for a few seconds after you remove it. You can even start the engine and drive it with the key completely removed (and no comfort access). This is a feature, not a bug. However, the OP's description seems to indicate a more serious issue.

05-01-2014, 03:30 PM	#1
biffman49 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The intersection of 1st and 1st iTrader: (0)	Car thinks key still in ignition Hi all, Had a relatively minor issue, but I'm looking to see if anyone else has had the problem, and if so, how much is cost to fix. I've got a 2009 328i with about 50k miles, for starters. Last night, when I tried to start the car, I put the key in and nothing happened except for the electronics starting up. Long story short, I discovered that when I would remove the key, the car was flashing the key symbol on the dash, indicating it believed the key was still in the slot. Cue 10 minutes if popping the key in and out trying to get it to recognize that the key was no longer in there. Eventually, it did, and I was able to put the key back in and start. I'm guessing there's an issue with the slot that you stick the key into, but I'm wondering if this is a common issue, if it's an easy fix (doubt it), and how much it might cost to fix it. Any help is appreciated! Thanks,
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05-01-2014, 03:34 PM	#2
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1112 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Comfort access or no?
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05-01-2014, 03:38 PM	#3
hockeyplayer Captain 74 Rep 776 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2006 325xi Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	My GFs e90 does this also. When the car is shut off it still thinks the key is in there (NO comfort access). We've found that sticking a finger in the slot and hitting the button at the back of the slot takes care of the problem, but if you find a real fix for this i'd love to know what it is! good luck
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05-01-2014, 03:43 PM	#4
biffman49 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The intersection of 1st and 1st iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys - No, it's not comfort access. Hockeyplayer, sounds like what your gf's car has. I didn't realize there was a button at the back of the slot, so I'll pop my finger in there next time. I didn't try too much last night, but that'll probably solve the problem temporarily. If there's a button back there, there's obviously something causing it to get stuck, so I wonder if there's a better way to fix it.
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05-01-2014, 04:16 PM	#5
rowingone Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2006 330 xi Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: colorado iTrader: (0)	maybe some electrical contact cleaner . . .
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05-01-2014, 04:18 PM	#6
Miller335 Colonel 291 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I try get the carrier for the key pulled out of the dash and inspect/fix/replace.
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05-01-2014, 04:36 PM	#7
AndreyT Major 57 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan, Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	All E9X cars "think" that the key is still in the slot for a few seconds after you remove it. You can even start the engine and drive it with the key completely removed (and no comfort access). This is a feature, not a bug. However, the OP's description seems to indicate a more serious issue.
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