[xXSupa]

I bought my car a year ago off a private sale, and the guy only gave me one key. Earlier this week, I lost the only key, so I had zero keys. I went to the dealer and ordered a new key for my car and got it 2 days later.

The dealer tells me I need to bring the car in to have comfort access programmed. Since I don't have any keys at all, they told me to go pick up the new key, go home, then drive my car back to the dealer.

I went to pick up the key, got home and it doesn't even work. Remote doesn't work, and car doesn't start when I put it in the slot, it just shows a symbol with a key and a slash over it.

Called the dealer and they said I need to initialize it but putting it in the slot, but that clearly didn't work.

Anyone know what I should do?

[hockeyplayer]

I think there were some posts about this and some people said a really good locksmith with the correct tools might be able to do this, but I'm not sure. I think if you dig in the forum a little you will probably find it.

good luck!

[socal619]

I just purchased a e93 and the sales man told me that 2nd key needed to be put in the slot for a charge... got home after picking up the car out in AZ and had call local dealership to have them reprogramed both of my keys...no charge but I think you need take your keys in to get reprogram.

[335NJ]

Call a good automotive Locksmith, or tow it to the dealer.

Was the CAS module ever replaced in this car?

[Wilt]

Key needs to be electronically programmed then also it needs to be registered (recognized) by your car. The key has its own number, your car has its (VIN) number and they need to 'shake hands' to properly recognize each other.

I have read that if you have an old key and a new key, you start the car with the old key, then the new key. Then the new key can be used to start, lock/unlock, but NOT with CA; dealer needs to do programming to do that. They key needs to know the specific frequency for communication with CAS module for your car.

[335NJ]

Unlock the vehicle with your original working fob, then stick the new one into the slot. See what happens.

[mike5809]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Unlock the vehicle with your original working fob, then stick the new one into the slot. See what happens.

OP said he lost the original (and only) key.

[xXSupa]

I can get in and out of the car. The hard metal key that came with the new remote works fine. But the remote itself does not work. I called the dealer again and they redirected me to a specialist. Went through a whole list of things and still can't get it working. The specialist said he might be able to stop by and check it out if his manager allows.

Last resort would be to tow it to the dealer.. Hopefully not.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by mike5809

OP said he lost the original (and only) key.

Findalocksmith.com

It's an ALOA owned website, meaning anyone on there (search by zip) meets strict requirements of ALOA, including any local and state laws & regulations on Locksmiths.

I know of a few guys in my area who can do BMW keys without a problem. They're typically a much cheaper alternative to the dealer, and still use BMW original fobs.

[VTECaddict]

The initialization of the new fob only works if the car is unlocked with the old fob. Otherwise anyone can buy a new virgin key, bust the window of a BMW, stick the fob in the slot, and drive it away.

[xXSupa]

Alright so an update on this.

After going back and forth with the dealer, they told me that it IS the right key, and that my car SHOULD be able to register & initialize it. They even sent someone to look at the car, and it still wasn't working.

Since my car is still under warranty, the guy who came to look at my car told me to have it towed in and it'll be covered under "warranty issues." My car's been at the dealer for 8 days now...

Hoping that I get a call back soon :/

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by xXSupa

Alright so an update on this.

After going back and forth with the dealer, they told me that it IS the right key, and that my car SHOULD be able to register & initialize it. They even sent someone to look at the car, and it still wasn't working.

Since my car is still under warranty, the guy who came to look at my car told me to have it towed in and it'll be covered under "warranty issues." My car's been at the dealer for 8 days now...

Hoping that I get a call back soon :/

Atleast it's covered! CAS related issues can be a headache sometimes.

When they're done, make sure you have 2 working keys for your car.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by xXSupa

Alright so an update on this.

After going back and forth with the dealer, they told me that it IS the right key, and that my car SHOULD be able to register & initialize it. They even sent someone to look at the car, and it still wasn't working.

Since my car is still under warranty, the guy who came to look at my car told me to have it towed in and it'll be covered under "warranty issues." My car's been at the dealer for 8 days now...

Hoping that I get a call back soon :/

What a pain in the butt!!!

[Kong Sheng Han]

On the bright side, it seems that the dealership is trying to help you instead of screwing you over. I doubt my local stealership would do that.

[xXSupa]

Okay, so some bad news from the dealer. They ordered another key and it still wouldn't register. After another week of delay, they are now telling me that the previous owner disabled all spare keys, which is why the new keys are not working. They said that there's no way to re-enable the keys, and that the only solution is to replace my CAS unit. And because the disabling was done by the previous owner, this will not be coverred under warranty.

I need everyone's help here because I don't really know much about how the key and CAS works. Is it true that once you disable a key, you can't re-enable it? Doesn't really sound reasonable to me...

I've already told my service advisor to go ahead and order the new unit, the bills gonna come to $2200 + labour + tax, so definitely not a small number. Any suggestions on where I can go from here?

[bimmette]

Wtf $2200?? Have you called other dealers for a quote? Yikes.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by xXSupa

Okay, so some bad news from the dealer. They ordered another key and it still wouldn't register. After another week of delay, they are now telling me that the previous owner disabled all spare keys, which is why the new keys are not working. They said that there's no way to re-enable the keys, and that the only solution is to replace my CAS unit. And because the disabling was done by the previous owner, this will not be coverred under warranty.

I need everyone's help here because I don't really know much about how the key and CAS works. Is it true that once you disable a key, you can't re-enable it? Doesn't really sound reasonable to me...

I've already told my service advisor to go ahead and order the new unit, the bills gonna come to $2200 + labour + tax, so definitely not a small number. Any suggestions on where I can go from here?

STOP

Seriously. Call a Locksmith who does auto work. There's really nothing crazy about working on a CAS system. With the proper equipment, deletion & enrollment of fobs is totally doable.

Here's some links: Findalocksmith.com & http://forum.keypro.com/index.php?/membermap/

KeyPro is an Automotive Locksmith community, and if you find someone on there that's within an hour of you, i'd be making some phone calls.

FWIW, on that same site, there was a guy making keys for a 2011(I think) E90, kept getting half key light showing it not registering the new key, he un-plugged a connector in the IBS assembly on the battery, boom, in business. The IBS was faulty and didn't wake up the CAS.

In short:
Each key has it's own unique transponder ID
The CAS stores each keys unique ID
When your key is read by the antenna, the CAS makes a "handshake" with the key and confirms that key is in it's memory. The chip that holds this key data CAN be read directly by specific tools, and it can be confirmed that the keys you have are actually stored on there, ruling out CAS as the issue.

I do this sh*t for a living, and I still can't explain it well

[xXSupa]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

STOP

Seriously. Call a Locksmith who does auto work. There's really nothing crazy about working on a CAS system. With the proper equipment, deletion & enrollment of fobs is totally doable.

Here's some links: Findalocksmith.com & http://forum.keypro.com/index.php?/membermap/

KeyPro is an Automotive Locksmith community, and if you find someone on there that's within an hour of you, i'd be making some phone calls.

FWIW, on that same site, there was a guy making keys for a 2011(I think) E90, kept getting half key light showing it not registering the new key, he un-plugged a connector in the IBS assembly on the battery, boom, in business. The IBS was faulty and didn't wake up the CAS.

In short:
Each key has it's own unique transponder ID
The CAS stores each keys unique ID
When your key is read by the antenna, the CAS makes a "handshake" with the key and confirms that key is in it's memory. The chip that holds this key data CAN be read directly by specific tools, and it can be confirmed that the keys you have are actually stored on there, ruling out CAS as the issue.

I do this sh*t for a living, and I still can't explain it well

Thanks for the info! I did manage to find 1 locksmith on "findalocksmith.com" thats kinda close to where I am. I will be headed there tomorrow to see my options.

I'm also going to be calling dealers that the past owner has dealt with, and ask for service records, to see if a "key disable" in fact did happen.A few of my friends are saying that the dealer is BSing me because they can't solve my problem, and they just wanna replace everything.

[ArcticRik]

Don't pay that much! That's ridiculous!

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by xXSupa

Thanks for the info! I did manage to find 1 locksmith on "findalocksmith.com" thats kinda close to where I am. I will be headed there tomorrow to see my options.

I'm also going to be calling dealers that the past owner has dealt with, and ask for service records, to see if a "key disable" in fact did happen.A few of my friends are saying that the dealer is BSing me because they can't solve my problem, and they just wanna replace everything.

Good luck man, it shouldn't be a huge deal. I assume you've check all the fuses and stuff right?

[ArcticRik]

Would buying this work for you?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1137950

[d1saster]

In your case the car can't get power to CAS that's why the dealer can't enable spare keys. You have to remove the CAS module and with proper equipment somebody should be able to reprogram the module to accept new keys.