The keyless entry remote for BMW vehicles made between 1999 and 2005 is called the E46 key. All E46 keys require programming before they will work with their respective BMW vehicles. E46 keys are only available through authorized BMW dealerships. Once you receive your new E46 BMW key you can program the key yourself.
1. Get into your BMW, shut the door and put your key in the ignition. Turn the key between the on and off positions five times as quickly as you can.
2. Push the «Unlock» button on your E46 key and hold it down while pushing the lock button three times. At this time your BMW’s door locks will lock and unlock, which signals that you’ve successfully completed the programming process.
3. Finish programming your E46 key remote by turning your BMW on and off. Exit your vehicle and test the key.
21 příspěvků · Připojeno 2014
Hi xcar360, if i have an uncut key, and cut it identical to my original key, and follow your programming steps, would it work properly?
3474 příspěvků · Připojeno 2008
You’ll only be able to manually lock and unlock the doors with a cut key however, the remote will not work and it will not start your car.
1 příspěvek · Připojeno 2014
Please post reply
I have the same question, re: uncut key.
Them3fan — did you ever find an answer?
27 příspěvků · Připojeno 2013
My key still works in the egnition, but it won’t lock or unlock the car remotly. If I buy a keyfob on eBay it won’t be able to start the car? I will have to have 2 keyfobs, the one to unlock the car and the one to start the car?
7 příspěvků · Připojeno 2013
just wanna help people out but you say «E46 keys are only available through authorized BMW dealerships»
33 příspěvků · Připojeno 2016
new fob key with used EWS!
hey guys . I m very much in learning stages in the bmw world. I have a 2005 325i e46 it came without key or EWS unit from car auction . just got fob key from dealer and bought a used EWS unit from and m45.1 engine (same as my) from ebay . the only reason got it used its right price and compared numbers to cars DME and they matched pretty close ..
after installing used EWS unit tried key . key does turn however nothing else happens no start no crank at all , I can see all lights and mileage so I guess it is the right
what are my options from here .
I’m also getting the PA soft and INPA NCsexpert cable set up got those under the advise from another bmw menber
which we are gonna used to reprogrammed ew. I think..
how about bypassing ews for good ! so I can get it started
123 příspěvků · Připojeno 2011
I think there are a lot of Facts and Fake news on how to charge the FOB and lots of questions.
I would like to know where did some dribble of charging the FOB by leaving the keys in the car overnight with ignition on No. 2? Of course the car have to be left in constant charge.
And the other one was to leave the FOB over the charging base of a electric toothbrush.
Both with no documentation. Just rumors.
Corral
’90 M3 — Garage Queen
’03 530i 5 Spd — S.O. ride
’05 330 ZHP 6 Spd — Canyon Cruiser
716 příspěvků · Připojeno 2019
And the other one was to leave the FOB over the charging base of a electric toothbrush.
This may have worked for me. I had a second key that I hadn’t used in 5 years. The remote’s buttons did not work. I left it on the inductive charger (toothbrush) overnight and it worked the next day.
19 příspěvků · Připojeno 2008
31 příspěvků · Připojeno 2023
I am a bit confused here, I have a key that will start the car but will NOT lock or unlock due to a mangled board inside the key. Note, as said, it DOES start the car even with that mangled board in it. If I buy another key, cut or uncut, how do I program that new key even if it will not start the car after being paired? Will any E46 key turn to the on/off position? Do I put in the new or the old key when doing that procedure? I only care about having the FOB work so I don’t have to manually unlock the door, if the mechanism breaks and I just have the old key, I’d be stuck.
It just seems strange if any E46 key will turn to the On position, even if the key is not keyed to the car. I don’t want to spend 200 for a new master key, so any cheaper way to have that electronic backup to the unlocking would be awesome.
