Help upgrading central locking?

InvisibleMountain

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Points
22
Hi, I've had my 1997 Z3 for about 10 years and back when I bought it the central locking didn't work.

I used the forums to swap out the 3G Gemel system it came with for an after market key and central locking unit which combined the remote function of the 'brick' into the key itself, and looked similar to the later BMW 'diamond' keys. I didn't replace the unit which talks to the ignition chips in the keys, I simply moved the chips out of the old keys into the new ones and both the central locking and the ignition work perfectly.

Trouble is, the aftermarket key cases with my non-BMW central locking unit are crap and keep coming loose and cracking where they key twists. Also, I've long since forgotten how the central locking and EWS play together, and the various BMW key versions.

I've had a bit of a search, but couldn't quickly see what I'm after, so I'm hoping someone can give me an explainer and perhaps knows how to do what I'm after..?

What I'd love to do is replace my aftermarket central locking unit and keys with a genuine BMW diamond key and the appropriate unit.

Please can someone remind me what the interplay is between the central locking unit and the ignition security chip system? What exactly is the EWS doing? I am technical but have long since forgotten all this.

Can I just replace the central locking unit and keys as I did before with a more modern BMW unit, if so please can anyone advise what different BMW central locking key systems I should consider using?

Many thanks!
Ben
 
Last edited:

Slam

Zorg Guru (IV)
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British Zeds
Joined
May 24, 2017
Points
168
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Zedless. Mini GP 1379
hi and welcome from London. This was the paperwork I had when I got a new key for my 99 prefacelift.
F8529E7E-CCF3-4F13-A7A9-A4F2C091721C.jpeg
 

Shelly

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Points
201
Location
Norfolk
Model of Z
Z4 2.0 20i M Sport sDrive
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