[nimamilani]

If you put the key fob near the slot but do not insert it, the car will beep and ask for the key to be inserted. the key has not be inserted and has no physical contact with the slot so there should be sending and receiving IR signals. Is it possible that BMW just built this to the starter itself to all the post september cars in order to bring down cost of installation and assembly???

let me know what you guys think

thanks

[orange49]

try this as well.... keep your foot on the brake with the car running, hit stop to turn the car off, eject the key quickly and hit start again, the car should crank right up without the key in place. I discovered this by accident on my 330i without CA. I've been wondering if there would be a way "hack" it to perform similar to CA as far as starting goes.

[dmontic71]

interesting.. Since BMW software is so finicky in genral, you would think their would be a way to hack into it... I have to believe that you could get the car to start w/o inserting the FOB...

[Boondoggler]

My SA told me that he has several clients that didn't get Comfort Accesss, but the car recognizes the fob when it's in their pockets, and will start with the push of the button without the fob being inserted. He said none of the other functions of Comfort Access work in those cases, but they don't have to insert the fob to start the car. He claims that all post September cars have the CA ignition, and that non CA enabled cars have a fob with a filter in it that should require the fob to be inserted to work, but it's not the case in all instances. He told me this when I asked if there was anyway to upgrade just the ignition to support starting without the key inserted. Personally, I think he was bullshitting me.

[nimamilani]

i agree with your SA that there is a filter. this is exactly what Intel does when they make CPUs. it is actually CHEAPER to have one assembly system than several. i just wonder if it is possible to remove the filter??? did your SA say anything?

[nimamilani]

maybe if we can place a plastic key just like the fob into the slot, the computer will be fooled that the key is in place!!!!

[Gripster]

Hmm... but aren't the keys different?

[Asiann]

interesting topic! Love to hear when someone cracks the code so to speak

[///Matt]

The car beeps and clicks and hums and groans when you put your key near th ignition because you have put the key into range of the radio antenna built into the ignition. There is no IR communication, it's not like Benz. On a BMW, the key and the car communicate with a type of AM radio frequency, to "discuss" key security information.

Instances where the customer WITHOUT CA is able to start the car without inserting the key can be attributed to an excessively strong radio antenna in the ignition, a strong radio emission from the key, or a faulty ignition that just thinks the key is in it.

If you WERE able to hack your key to make the CA starting feature work, your key battery would die very quickly.

CA keys have a seperate, replaceable, battery. The NON-CA key uses induced voltage from the radio communication to store energy into capacitors in the key. If you don't insert the key in the ignition, and drive for very long (my guess would be a TOTAL of around 12 hours) the key capacitors will become discharged, and the key will cease to communicate with the car. It MAY become a faulty key at this point, and need to be replaced, but I'm not sure.

[orange49]

I'm assuming there is some software difference in the car as well between CA and Non-CA. When you order a new key does the dealership program the key for your car? If so, would it possible to order a CA key and have them program your cars info in, then have the cars software updated to make it think it's CA compatible? Maybe the "filter" is also installed in the car to keep it from broadcasting?

There has to be a way for us to figure this out. I wanted CA but chose to take a car with everything I wanted minus CA versus waiting 6 weeks for it and the only reason I wanted it was not to put the key in the damn slot, hahah.

[///Matt]

If you want CA, you'll probably need a new CAS. It's the control module that controls access to the car. It's responsible for locking, reading the key, allowing start up, etc.

You'd need a new CAS, new CA keyfobs, and some programming/retrofitting.

This would ONLY give you the starting feature IF IT WORKS. i'm only hypothesizing. In order to get ALL of CA, you'd need two new front door handles, probably new Door Modules (computer inside the door panel) and an antenna in the trunk.

[orange49]

yeah, I figured you could do the starting feature, but thats really all I want. Any idea what a new CAS would run? probably way the hell to much right.

[///Matt]

WOW. CAS is ACTUALLY much cheaper than I expected.

The CAS is about $250. The new key fobs will be about $120 each.
Plus programming, probably cost you another $200.... Not too bad.

But again, I have no clue if this would work.

[mimi74]

here in europe about 650€ are you sure of your info ?

[///Matt]

650 euro for WHAT exactly, mimi?

[mimi74]

for the comfort access option

[m635csi]

Originally Posted by orange49

try this as well.... keep your foot on the brake with the car running, hit stop to turn the car off, eject the key quickly and hit start again, the car should crank right up without the key in place. I discovered this by accident on my 330i without CA. I've been wondering if there would be a way "hack" it to perform similar to CA as far as starting goes.

I tried this last night and it worked for my in my 330i, too. Every once in a while, the car will recognize the key before I insert it into the slot, but I wasn't able to make it start without putting in the key.

[///Matt]

Originally Posted by mimi74

for the comfort access option

The OPTION for the car may be 650 Euro, but I'm talking about retrofitting CA into a car.


The reason you are able to yank the key and then start the car back up is that BMW programmed it that way. After your key has been removed, you have 10 seconds to restart the car. I'm not certain WHY they did this, but that's what they've done. It's not a matter of the car still recognizing your key in this case, but rather just intended design of the car.

[orange49]

Originally Posted by ///Matt

WOW. CAS is ACTUALLY much cheaper than I expected.

The CAS is about $250. The new key fobs will be about $120 each.
Plus programming, probably cost you another $200.... Not too bad.

But again, I have no clue if this would work.

Interesting, I might be willing to give it a shot. I'm sure we can figure this out. I wonder if I order a CA key to start with and compare the diff's and have them program it to my to start with.

[Boondoggler]

//Matt, is the CAS you mention the "Comfort Access Starter"? Is is possible the that car would need a different wiring harness to be able to install the Comfort Access Starter? Is there any way, other than simply giving it a shot, to know if replacing the starter with a CA starter, replacing the fobs, and reprogramming the computer would work? If I knew it were possible, I think I would take the plunge.