Key cutting and programming

[Lenny b]

I promise I won't keep with the stupid newbie questions, however, what's the best way to get a new key? I have in the past got them cut from a code (via a forum) and then programmed them myself. Can we do this? I am expecting a NO, argh but how can certain 't leaves' scan your remote and Nick your car? They don't have to pay bmw £100+ to do it.rant over. Breath.

I also read that you can buy a cheap key (service) I think from bmw, what are these and are they recommended? Thanks again.

Once I get on with mine, I may be able to help someone else, maybe.....

 

[mrscalex]

It sounds like you already know how to do keys then. Yes they are simple to have cut off a code/photo and program if you know how and have an AK90.

 

[Delk]

I was going to ask the same question. I have the big tombstone looking key (only one) and want another. Emaybe has keys with a transponder for 30 pounds.
Who can cut the keys and if I bought and AK90 can I do it myself?

 

[handsomejackuk]

I was going to ask the same question. I have the big tombstone looking key (only one) and want another. Emaybe has keys with a transponder for 30 pounds.
Who can cut the keys and if I bought and AK90 can I do it myself?

you can get 2 remote keys with transponder chip for less than £10 from china if you prepared to wait and only want the key for a spare, as the quality of the key blade may not be great... i let you know once i get mine back how easy they are to copy and get cut


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Button...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[mrscalex]

If you PM me I can give you the name of a reliable locksmith who supply a good quality key and cut it from a photo. I personally wouldn’t buy Chinese keys from eBay.

The AK90 is about £50 and pays for itself on first use. It’s a little fiddly to use and requires removal of the driver’s knee panel and the EWS. A 5 min job to get out/back. Easy enough job overall but not for the faint hearted who worry about breaking electronics.

You’ll then need a donor PCB from an old key that will be £5-10 on eBay.

 

[Lenny b]

This sounds interesting, I could buy and sell on after I have done mine, or vice versa.....

The service key anyone?

 

[Chasen]

yes,you can ask locksmith to cut key for you,then you can program the key by yourself.
And there are many BMW key programmers you can select
http://www.uobdii.com/producttags/bmw-key-programmer.html

 

[Don Frayne]

I was going to ask the same question. I have the big tombstone looking key (only one) and want another. Emaybe has keys with a transponder for 30 pounds.
Who can cut the keys and if I bought and AK90 can I do it myself?

I promise I won't keep with the stupid newbie questions, however, what's the best way to get a new key? I have in the past got them cut from a code (via a forum) and then programmed them myself. Can we do this? I am expecting a NO, argh but how can certain 't leaves' scan your remote and Nick your car? They don't have to pay bmw £100+ to do it.rant over. Breath.

I also read that you can buy a cheap key (service) I think from bmw, what are these and are they recommended? Thanks again.

Once I get on with mine, I may be able to help someone else, maybe.....

I have a Z# with only one key - the one with the light in it
I bought key from China - what you called a tombstone key that has a chip and circuit board in the body of the key
I got the key cut here in Perth WA with no problems but I am having trouble getting the chip programmed
I am not sure if the circuit board is the right one - can you do me a favour and send a photo of the circuit board in the chip?

 

[bertiejaffa]

You can get a master key from BMW for around £50 but thats just a key, no transponder or fob etc.

 

[colb]

My experience of key cutting and programming was for a second key for my Z4 which only came with 1 key.
Easy enough to order and buy a blank key from ebay that came with a transponder and the small pcb inside the fob for operating the lock buttons and a button battery (non rechargable). Had an AK 90 coding machine and was able to read the EWS module with that ok and it could read the current key ok. It all fell down when it couldn't code the new key despite many attempts to code it to different unused key slots within the module. I had the blades cut at a local old school shoe repair and key cutters, had the car outside so it was easy to check the new cut key worked in the lock. First try was the boot lock which was ok but wouldnt turn in the ignition. He didn't charge me for cutting due to it not turning in the ignition. Once home I gave the new key a good clean with a wire brush and tried it again and it worked ok in the ignition. To get it coded to the car I reverted to using a mobile locksmith who used a far more sophisticated coding machine which involved connecting wires to the eeprom chip on the EWES board to read the key data and then code the key to a vacant slot, first go failed, he then coded the key to a used slot that I didn't have the key for and that produced a cranking key. Cost me £130 for him to do it, just happy that I had 2 keys, have taken the new key into use as the main key and it has performed ok, it synced up for the central locking functions ok as well.

 

[Don Frayne]

My experience of key cutting and programming was for a second key for my Z4 which only came with 1 key.
Easy enough to order and buy a blank key from ebay that came with a transponder and the small pcb inside the fob for operating the lock buttons and a button battery (non rechargable). Had an AK 90 coding machine and was able to read the EWS module with that ok and it could read the current key ok. It all fell down when it couldn't code the new key despite many attempts to code it to different unused key slots within the module. I had the blades cut at a local old school shoe repair and key cutters, had the car outside so it was easy to check the new cut key worked in the lock. First try was the boot lock which was ok but wouldnt turn in the ignition. He didn't charge me for cutting due to it not turning in the ignition. Once home I gave the new key a good clean with a wire brush and tried it again and it worked ok in the ignition. To get it coded to the car I reverted to using a mobile locksmith who used a far more sophisticated coding machine which involved connecting wires to the eeprom chip on the EWES board to read the key data and then code the key to a vacant slot, first go failed, he then coded the key to a used slot that I didn't have the key for and that produced a cranking key. Cost me £130 for him to do it, just happy that I had 2 keys, have taken the new key into use as the main key and it has performed ok, it synced up for the central locking functions ok as well.

Many thanks for the response

I took a china sourced key to a locksmith here in Perth and it was cut perfectly first time- it opens the doors and the boot - its just programming this darned chip

As you can see from the chain of emails , there are instructions in the manual for programming the new key but they are not working for some reason - I'm not sure if it is because of the circuit in the chip or the car alarm is deactivated some how. i must admit i can't see why it is so difficult / such big problem to reprogram a key - after all the local dealer only need to send the key to Germany , not the whole car.

I am looking for a photo of the circuit board in an OEM Z3 key to see if it gives me any clues

With so many Z3s produced it is puzzling to think there is not someone in the Z3 zeitgeist who has not worked this out

Time will tell

 

[Don Frayne]

You can get a master key from BMW for around £50 but thats just a key, no transponder or fob etc.

Thanks for the response - do you have an original BMW Z3 tombstone key and if so can you send me a photo of the circuit board in the key ? It may help me work out if the china sourced key has the right circuit board - and yes I realise this is a long shot (!)

 

[colb]

There are two separate systems in the key fob, one is the small transponder chip that is programmed to the EWS control box to register the key so it allows it to crank and start the car. The second system is the central locking function on a small circuit board in the fob that the buttons activate. This is the only system in the fob that uses the internal battery. The transponder chip uses no power. To programme a key to crank and start the car it has to be programmed into the EWS box using software like an AK90 DEVICE. Best of luck with that mine failed to do my key and resorted to getting a locksmith to code my new cut key using his far superior coding machine and connecting to the eeprom chip on the EWS PCB.
Once coded both the new key and original were then synced to the car using the finger dance procedure to code the keys, bear in mind the keys have to be synced immediately after each other in order to sync as a pair that will crank and start the car. Instructions how to in old threads on here if you search posted by me.

 

[mrscalex]

@colb has explained well.

Coding/programming and syncing get confused. And sometimes the coding phase isn’t something people are aware of at all.

I prefer to call the first phase coding. That confirms to the EWS/immobiliser your are genuine.

Then you sync the coded key so it operates the remote control.

You can get a key supplied and cut for £20. But it will do nothing other than open the locks. No drive away. No remote control. And that’s how it should be. Keys are too easily copied on their own.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Thanks for the response - do you have an original BMW Z3 tombstone key and if so can you send me a photo of the circuit board in the key ? It may help me work out if the china sourced key has the right circuit board - and yes I realise this is a long shot (!)

I dont - I have an aftermarket alarm, immobiliser and tracker fitted and so I only have dumb keys

 

[Don Frayne]

There are two separate systems in the key fob, one is the small transponder chip that is programmed to the EWS control box to register the key so it allows it to crank and start the car. The second system is the central locking function on a small circuit board in the fob that the buttons activate. This is the only system in the fob that uses the internal battery. The transponder chip uses no power. To programme a key to crank and start the car it has to be programmed into the EWS box using software like an AK90 DEVICE. Best of luck with that mine failed to do my key and resorted to getting a locksmith to code my new cut key using his far superior coding machine and connecting to the eeprom chip on the EWS PCB.
Once coded both the new key and original were then synced to the car using the finger dance procedure to code the keys, bear in mind the keys have to be synced immediately after each other in order to sync as a pair that will crank and start the car. Instructions how to in old threads on here if you search posted by me.

thanks Colb- very well explained and useful

But it is interesting that BMW in Germany where don't need the car, just the key.

 

[colb]

BMW supply cranking keys because they hold the cars data in their records from when the car was built. They do a dumb key that has no locking buttons, it's cut from their data at one of their German plants. A central locking key with buttons can be supplied but the central locking function has to be synced by the owner when it arrives together with any existing keys held.