E89 Car has forgotten about its keys....

BigCL

Dedicated Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
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31
Model of Z
Z4
Hi all - so I left the Z4 sleeping for several months while I sourced a "hood" i.e. bonnet (not easy to find in the UK). The car was left unlocked in a garage, sometimes with a battery connected, sometimes without. Now the car allows me to start the engine but both key fobs no longer work for doors / trunk. They are emitting radio signals (I have a tester) but the car is not hearing them. So neither fob will unlock / lock the doors or the boot / trunk. They DID used to work in the past... any thoughts?
 

t-tony

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British Zeds
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Dec 31, 2013
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Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Does the car have a Smart Top module fitted?

Tony.
 

BigCL

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Dec 23, 2020
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31
Model of Z
Z4
It's a factory standard car - not sure what a smart top module is (unless it's something that lets the key fob open the roof, in which case "No")
 

t-tony

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Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Yes that is what a Smart Top module does, but even though you couldn't operate the roof with the key doesn't mean there isn't one fitted unless you know what it looks like and where it is fitted. When I had an issue with mine it stopped the lock/unlock working. Do the windows still go up and down?

Tony.
 

colb

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British Zeds
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Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Sounds like they have lost their sync with the car, try the following sync methods on your keys, one immediately after the other so they sync as a pair.
BMW Z4 - Key Remote Programming

Three methods to try:

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.
 

BigCL

Dedicated Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
Points
31
Model of Z
Z4
Sounds like they have lost their sync with the car, try the following sync methods on your keys, one immediately after the other so they sync as a pair.
Thanks Colb - I'll give it a go tomorrow and update the forum. 👍
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
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Dec 31, 2013
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Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
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E89 Z4 23i Auto
Last edited:

BigCL

Dedicated Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
Points
31
Model of Z
Z4
So I checked the list of fuses relating to the door lock and the antenna - all good. I also tried the fob reset procedures, which didn't fix the problem. Also tried removing and reinstalling the battery....
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Only other thing I can think of is that the EWS and the main ECU modules have lost their pairing this can be relearned using INPA and maybe BMW Scanner 1.4 software on a laptop.
 

BigCL

Dedicated Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
Points
31
Model of Z
Z4
Cheers Colb - I was thinking that might be the problem now. I have a Foxwell 710 (which I'm not impressed with) but it seems to have a CAS reset and a FRM reset option. Bit nervous about using this device to do this sort of reset...
 
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