E46 "reassociating" Keyless Entry - Jap Import

[caleb 0]

All the steps I found over Internet/forum were quite close but didn't work for me. I thought I'd post up my concise notes on what I describe as "reassociating" the key(s) with the vehicle keyless entry system.

My keys are the 2 button style. E46, Jap Import

1, using a key unlock the vehicle, get in and close door.

2, put the key into the ignition and turn to position 2, wait for 5 secs and then back to off.

3. remove key

4. point the key toward red "clown nose"

5. hold unlock rectangle button

6. press lock round button 3 times (while still holding the unlock button)

7. release the unlock button

8. At this point, you'll notice the red led on key flashes

9. press the unlock button

10. car will lock and unlock to indicate successful association

11. repeat 4-9 for 2nd key

This is what worked for me. Hope you'll find this useful.

Edited September 14, 2011 by *Glenn*

[greenday-rulz21 4]

So, did you manage to reprogram the keys? Or are you after the method?

[caleb 0]

yes it did. Hope someone else might find this useful.

[hybrid 1039]

*stickied*

[*Glenn* 854]

If it doesnt work first time . Try the proceedure again. Instead of pressing it 3 times (6) press it 4 times instead

[mystery39 0]

hey, is the process the same for an e39?

[*Glenn* 854]

Depends what key type you have

[BlowMyWhistle 0]

HiY'all I tried this on my e34, it's got the same key I think? I got a new battery for this key but it's never worked, well, the key works, the remote don't.

I tried sumthing I red pointing the remote at the mirror?? No good, I've got a dre led on the dash centre grill that ligths up when I lock the car. I turn the key & hold it, it locks the doors, shuts the windows & closes the sunroof.

ut I cant get the remote to work. tried method described below me (say that aloud a few times (below me)...

LED will lite up, but dont unlock.

I've been quoted at $500 for a new key... would an aftermarket remote kit do the same thing?

I'm jealous, my daughter's got an e30 & she can lock mit withher remote why cant I? my cars worth twice hers!!

pe this thread's not closed off?

[brucejacque 0]

All the steps I found over Internet/forum were quite close but didn't work for me. I thought I'd post up my concise notes on what I describe as "reassociating" the key(s) with the vehicle keyless entry system.

My keys are the 2 button style. E46, Jap Import

1, using a key unlock the vehicle, get in and close door.

2, put the key into the ignition and turn to position 2, wait for 5 secs and then back to off.

3. remove key

4. point the key toward red "clown nose"

5. hold unlock rectangle button

6. press lock round button 3 times (while still holding the unlock button)

7. release the unlock button

8. At this point, you'll notice the red led on key flashes

9. press the unlock button

10. car will lock and unlock to indicate successful association

11. repeat 3-7 for 2nd key

This is what worked for me. Hope you'll find this useful.

[ashok540 0]

Help please. My E39 2 key remote had its battery replaced and now can associate it with the car. Did the steps mentioned here (including pressing 4 times) but no luck. Any other option?

[*Glenn* 854]

Help please. My E39 2 key remote had its battery replaced and now can associate it with the car. Did the steps mentioned here (including pressing 4 times) but no luck. Any other option?

Call in Ashok and I'll do it for you

[e39touring 0]

Hi everyone, I'm having trouble with the keys too.

I have a 2001 e39 touring. When I bought it one key worked, one didn't. The previous owner told me he changed the battery and the key needed reprogramming. He did say it would work when in very close range but I was never able to make it work. Anyway...

I followed this procedure along with every other I could find on the net. I get the red LED flashing when I release the unlock button but no lock/unlock confirmation. And obviously still doesn't work.

What's worse is I did the dumbest thing and tried the procedure on the working key, and seem to have dissociated that one!!! So now I have no remote locking which is becoming a PITA.

I am in Taupo, there is no BMW dealer here. I took it to my local auto sparky who plugged his diagnostic computer in but said there were no faults showing and he couldn't help with the key thing.

Any suggestions would be greatly apprciated!

Thanks,

Morgan

[camera doctor 25]

Hi everyone, I'm having trouble with the keys too.

I have a 2001 e39 touring. When I bought it one key worked, one didn't. The previous owner told me he changed the battery and the key needed reprogramming. He did say it would work when in very close range but I was never able to make it work. Anyway...

I followed this procedure along with every other I could find on the net. I get the red LED flashing when I release the unlock button but no lock/unlock confirmation. And obviously still doesn't work.

What's worse is I did the dumbest thing and tried the procedure on the working key, and seem to have dissociated that one!!! So now I have no remote locking which is becoming a PITA.

I am in Taupo, there is no BMW dealer here. I took it to my local auto sparky who plugged his diagnostic computer in but said there were no faults showing and he couldn't help with the key thing.

Any suggestions would be greatly apprciated!

Thanks,

Morgan

Is the car ex Japan ( IRED remote ) or NZ / Euro ( RF Remote ) ??

i.e. do you have the two button remote with red LED and IRED LED at bottom, or the diamond shaped three button fob with BMW rondel ?

The programming sequence is slightly different for each. The Jap IRED system has poor range, you realy have to be standing right next to car and point key at the 'Clown Nose' on the rear view mirror.

Range is worse in the sun, better ini the dark due to stray IRED from the sun

[e39touring 0]

Is the car ex Japan ( IRED remote ) or NZ / Euro ( RF Remote ) ??

i.e. do you have the two button remote with red LED and IRED LED at bottom, or the diamond shaped three button fob with BMW rondel ?

The programming sequence is slightly different for each. The Jap IRED system has poor range, you realy have to be standing right next to car and point key at the 'Clown Nose' on the rear view mirror.

Range is worse in the sun, better ini the dark due to stray IRED from the sun

I knew after I posted I should have given more detail..

I have the two button remote, infra red. Have noticed the range is better at night time. Was in Rotorua today, went to the dealer but they wanted to book it in to do it, and were too busy to look at it when I was there today, so unless I can get it sorted in the meantime I guess I will try book it in next time I head over there.

[e39touring 0]

SORTED!

Had to go to Rotorua again today so booked in at BMW dealer and got it done. I didn't see the exact procedure but it looked similar to the one listed here but had some additional button pressing as well.

End result: both keys working at a cost of $17 which I think was mainly for 2 new batteries for one of the keys, and a lot of my wasted time searching the net and trying myself to get the damn things to work!!!

The guy at the dealer was bloody good actually.

Edited April 15, 2011 by e39touring

[RhoanW 0]

Glenn to reassociate the key is it all about the time to do each step? If none of the keys can open the car with the buttons do you use the process described or one I saw where you turn the key to position 2 five times and then do the other steps? How do you know when you have not done a step correctly, for instance when I hold the unlock button and then press the lock button three times and then release the unlock button, the red light on the key flashes 10 or 11 times then nothing. The locks do not operate so can I assume that I made a mistake somewhere?

[liyi_92 37]

Thank you very much!!

I can confirm this worked for a Japanese imported E39 (NOT the diamond key shape key)

I tried all the other methods but this one worked first go!

Key loses sync with car if changing battery took over 1 minute or unlock button is pressed 1000 times out of range.

POINTING AT THE RED CLOWN NOSE DOES HELP.

-Andy

[RhoanW 0]

Hey Andy it is NOT the diamond shaped one and I changed the batteries for one key but the other was fine. I got the car from the original owner without the key remote working. He said he never got it to work either. I will be carrying it to a BMW specialist today so I will update.

quote name='andy_e39' date='Jun 28 2011, 12:34 AM' post='416966']

Thank you very much!!

I can confirm this worked for a Japanese imported E39 (NOT the diamond key shape key)

I tried all the other methods but this one worked first go!

Key loses sync with car if changing battery took over 1 minute or unlock button is pressed 1000 times out of range.

POINTING AT THE RED CLOWN NOSE DOES HELP.

-Andy

[speedyg 16]

Old thread I know, but I just did this after my 2yr old boy was playing with the key in the car and managed to disassociate the key, so the remote locking wouldn't work. I tried a few different procedures but this one worked first time, all the others I read missed out the pushing unlock while light flashing part. Car is Jap import 2000 530i with two rubber button remote.