1997 car-immobiliser?

[Johnwindwood]

Guys

Our new 1997 car has only one key and I want to get a spare. Will it be a chipped key- i.e. does the car have an immobiliser?
Thanks

 

[andyglym]

Does your Zed have a small red light on the centre consul? I think that all Z3's were retro fitted at the UK dealers with an alarm and immibilisor prior to selling.

 

[jonco]

More experienced members will no doubt comment but your key should be chipped to immobilise car on central locking. You may have remote alarm installed it was an optional extra for 1997 models but it will be from a separate Fob. Post picture of your key to give more idea.

Edit - just read Andy's comment about red LED - agree

 

[Johnwindwood]

Does your Zed have a small red light on the centre consul? I think that all Z3's were retro fitted at the UK dealers with an alarm and immibilisor prior to selling.

Yes it has the LED but the alarm is disconnected under the bonnet and there are no fobs.

 

[andyglym]

Yes it has the LED but the alarm is disconnected under the bonnet and there are no fobs.

Sounds like a disconnect from a previous issue?

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Robert ie mrscalex on here is gened up on supply of new keys Geoff

 

[Fender2004]

Do you have one of these?

 

[Johnwindwood]

Not sure how this drifted so far off course....
Anyhow, I have the answer- yes they do all use transponder keys. Following research, I ordered a key from the stealer. Several local locksmiths advised this as they could not match the cost.
Genuine key £50- comes ready cut and programmed.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Not sure how this drifted so far off course....
Anyhow, I have the answer- yes they do all use transponder keys. Following research, I ordered a key from the stealer. Several local locksmiths advised this as they could not match the cost.
Genuine key £50- comes ready cut and programmed.

John it has not wondered off course, for your year car you have a serrated key and a remote fob the transponder keys are for the later models ONLY
I think that you have been miss informed

 

[Johnwindwood]

John it has not wondered off course, for your year car you have a serrated key and a remote fob the transponder keys are for the later models ONLY
I think that you have been miss informed

Then I am now very confused. BMW tell me that all Z3 cars use a transponder chip in the keys to deactivate the standard fit immobiliser. Is that wrong? (This was also confirmed by two auto locksmiths.)

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Then I am now very confused. BMW tell me that all Z3 cars use a transponder chip in the keys to deactivate the standard fit immobiliser. Is that wrong? (This was also confirmed by two auto locksmiths.)[/QUOTE
From what I know with my 1998 I purchased two fobs and coded to car
As far as I know keys with transponders are for a different that is on newer cars

 

[Johnwindwood]

My car doesn't have fobs-only keys and manual central locking.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

My car doesn't have fobs-only keys and manual central locking.

Yes your fobs are missing you will have to get some and code into your car
There is a lot of info on this forum about coding fobs have a look

 

[Johnwindwood]

I think there is some confusion here. I am told (Again by BMW) that Z3s all had factory fitted immobilisers, deactivated by the chip hidden within the key on starting. The BMW alarm system was an accessory. My car has the alarm, but it has long ago been disconnected and there are no fobs. Thus, I don't need them. What I DO need is a spare key with the immobiliser chip, which I have just bought.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

I think there is some confusion here. I am told (Again by BMW) that Z3s all had factory fitted immobilisers, deactivated by the chip hidden within the key on starting. The BMW alarm system was an accessory. My car has the alarm, but it has long ago been disconnected and there are no fobs. Thus, I don't need them. What I DO need is a spare key with the immobiliser chip, which I have just bought.

I think you are wrong so wait till you get the key and see what happens

 

[Johnwindwood]

I think you are wrong so wait till you get the key and see what happens

Well, yes, but it's not me that is wrong. I have no idea. I'm just being told the situation by BMW.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Well, yes, but it's not me that is wrong. I have no idea. I'm just being told the situation by BMW.

Re read Jonco’s post if anyone knows he does ask him

 

[jonco]

I think there is some confusion here...........

Agreed there is confusion - the immobiliser and alarm are two separate systems on this era of car.
The EWS alarm system does not immobilise the car - it remotely operates the central locking and alarms if anything is wrong. You can actually sit in the car with the alarm blaring away and start the car with the key.

I have done it before and have just been out to the garage to refresh my memory.

As an aside if you remove the ignition switch from the barrel and try to operate it (i.e.hot wire) it will not start unless the key is in the lock.

Sorry Geoff

 

[Johnwindwood]

Re read Jonco’s post if anyone knows he does ask him

Re-read Joncos post yourself, because that is exactly what I've been saying !!!

 

[Johnwindwood]

Agreed there is confusion - the immobiliser and alarm are two separate systems on this era of car.
The EWS alarm system does not immobilise the car - it remotely operates the central locking and alarms if anything is wrong. You can actually sit in the car with the alarm blaring away and start the car with the key.

I have done it before and have just been out to the garage to refresh my memory.

As an aside if you remove the ignition switch from the barrel and try to operate it (i.e.hot wire) it will not start unless the key is in the lock.

Sorry Geoff

I really don't understand! So does the key have a chip in it or not? Forget the alarm because it's disconnected. BMW tell me the keys are chipped-is that wrong?