"The key set"

[kklin]

I never realized that the key has a rechargeable battery - https://www.facebook.com/P1Software/...64089130469548

[StickMon]

We kinda knew this.
Swap keys the first day of the month so they both stay charged.

[rsutoratosu]

Theres a thread, I had a broken old sonic care tooth brush... use that to charge the key

[rsutoratosu]

i only found out you can charge it less than 30 days ago through this

[antennahead]

I bought a sonic care charger off of ebay and it didn't work....... key didn't charge at all

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by antennahead

I bought a sonic care charger off of ebay and it didn't work....... key didn't charge at all

But I'll bet the guy selling the Sonic tooth brush chargers has seen a big spike in sales.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by dc_wright

But I'll bet the guy selling the Sonic tooth brush chargers has seen a big spike in sales.

+1

[boca1]

your key may not need a charge it may just need to be re-programmed. When I got my car it came with two keys, one worked the other didn't, was about to cut the key open to put a new battery in when I ran across this post. worked like a charm.

One word of caution, each key remembers your memory functions, so when I got the 2nd key working, the first time I used it open the doors it move my seat all the way forwards and up (must have been the wifes setting of the PO

The key is charged bye the key being in the car. I have found that carring the key in my pocket along with other crap the button get pushed be accident and there is some combination the resets the key. Try the procedures below and have both keys at the time you do it, before you go to the expense of a new key.


Method 1:
1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut
2. Turn ignition to position 1 and back to off within 5 seconds.
3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.
4. Release both buttons.
5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.

Method 2:
To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.
1) Get in and close all doors.
2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.
3) Remove the 1st key.
4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.
5) Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.
6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.
If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.

Method 3:
Alternate if you do not have a working remote
1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly 2. Remove key 3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds 5. Turn on ignition to finalise.
PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobiliser (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by boca1

your key may not need a charge it may just need to be re-programmed. When I got my car it came with two keys, one worked the other didn't, was about to cut the key open to put a new battery in when I ran across this post. worked like a charm.

One word of caution, each key remembers your memory functions, so when I got the 2nd key working, the first time I used it open the doors it move my seat all the way forwards and up (must have been the wifes setting of the PO

The key is charged bye the key being in the car. I have found that carring the key in my pocket along with other crap the button get pushed be accident and there is some combination the resets the key. Try the procedures below and have both keys at the time you do it, before you go to the expense of a new key.


Method 1:
1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut
2. Turn ignition to position 1 and back to off within 5 seconds.
3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.
4. Release both buttons.
5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.

Method 2:
To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.
1) Get in and close all doors.
2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.
3) Remove the 1st key.
4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.
5) Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.
6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.
If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.

Method 3:
Alternate if you do not have a working remote
1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly 2. Remove key 3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds 5. Turn on ignition to finalise.
PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobiliser (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.

Thanks for the post. Could you please clarify Method 2. You state that a working key is required to program the non-working key. Is the procedure in step 2 and 3 using the working key in the ignition sequence (i.e. is the "working key" Key 1)?

Thanks

[melz4fan]

Thanks for the information. When I got my Z4 a few years ago it only came with one key. The key recently stopped working, is it possible for the battery to be completely dead? I feel like my key shouldn't have stopped working if it's the only key I ever use. Thanks!

[Efthreeoh]

I finally got around to reprogramming all my keys for my Z4. I used the instructions originally posted by boca1 (gracias). I found the instructions a little confusing so I decided to rewrite them for clarity. Hope this helps.

General Notes: If you have multiple keys for your Z4, you must program (or reprogram) all the keys for the car. Once a new key is programmed, the other working keys you already have are now deprogrammed, so all the keys need to be programmed together in succession (using Method 2).

Method 1:
1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut;

2. Insert the key in the ignition and turn ignition to Position 1 and back to Off within 5 seconds.

3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the key Unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key Lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.

4. Release both buttons.

5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.

Method 2:
To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

1. Get in and close all doors.

2. To start the programing process, insert the 1st key into the ignition and turn on the ignition and turn off quickly (no more than 5 seconds). The next actions must be completed within 30 seconds.

3. Remove the 1st key from the ignition.

4. Hold the 1st key up near your left shoulder (which places the key closer to the remote receiver antenna).

5. Hold down the key Unlock button and press the key Lock button 3 times. Release the key Unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.

6. Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for Key #2 etc.

If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.

Method 3:
Alternate method if you do not have a working remote:

1. Turn the ignition with a key to Position 1 five (5) times very quickly.

2. Remove key.

3. Hold the key Unlock button then press the key Lock button three (3) times, release key Unlock button.

4. If you have additional keys, reprogram them using the same button pressing sequence within 30 seconds.

5. Turn on ignition to finalize.

PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote-control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobilizer (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.

[HTM101]

Thank you for the instructions. I copied them to file and printed it. I have just one key and sometime in the future I'll buy another.

David

[tkeneklis]

One of my keyfobs was not holding a charge so I followed directions on You Tube and cut the key open, took out the battery, bought a new battery. I was able to force the old battery out.
NOW what?

[rsutoratosu]

I bought this to test.. probably be here in a month. You can program your own key, just need to get it cut.. worth a shot for 15 bucks

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3295...chweb201603_55

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by rsutoratosu

I bought this to test.. probably be here in a month. You can program your own key, just need to get it cut.. worth a shot for 15 bucks

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3295...chweb201603_55

....charged me $244.13 for a replacement BMW OEM key (programmed) in May 2016

[rsutoratosu]

ouch.. i'm still unfamiliar with the actual key process.. i need to read up some more