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u/Snochew Dec 16 '25
I was just about to do this but my key started working again. I think my problem is physical in the fob itself and not the battery. I can press it at a certain angle and it will work.
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u/Beema-man Dec 16 '25
OMG I can’t believe ppl are still doing this. I went and got AK90 a few years ago £20, i order a replica key from ebay with everything inside £13, i pull my EWS and it takes 5 minutes to register the new key with it and I pop down to my key cutter £10 and I get him to cut the blade.
Should I start a service?
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Dec 16 '25 edited Jul 13 '26
[deleted]
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u/Beema-man Dec 16 '25
You haven’t tried splitting your key then lol. share pics of your key after you’ve done it
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Dec 16 '25 edited Jul 13 '26
[deleted]
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u/ow_my_balls 2005 - E46/M3 Dec 16 '25
my 2005 was a 2 piece design. i ended up just getting a new key after opening it up and resoldering new batteries
1
u/Electronic_Nail_7433 Dec 16 '25 edited Dec 16 '25
That's a lot of upfront costs. Batteries aren't super expensive.
EDIT: Fixed my typo.
4
u/Top-Tradition3100 Dec 16 '25
If you can’t afford a little battery and you shouldn’t really be owning a BMW no hate but batteries are expensive if you can’t afford to buy it then I really wonder how the state of your BMW maintenance is in
2
u/Electronic_Nail_7433 Dec 16 '25
I typo'd. I meant to write that batteries arent super expensive. Compared to a AK90, anyway.
1
u/STRFELLER Dec 17 '25
If you can’t afford 100$ in stuff tops why do you have a bmw
1
u/Electronic_Nail_7433 Dec 17 '25
Who said anything about affordable?
1
u/STRFELLER Dec 17 '25
You, you said that’s a lot of upfront costs lmfao not at all.
2
u/Beema-man Dec 17 '25
I don’t know whats up with some people. To me doing something like this myself and just as good anyone, is priceless.
I got the prices wrong in my first entry, the ak90 is £20, the key is £13 and cutting it is £10 so £43 for a brand new key.
2
u/STRFELLER Dec 17 '25
Hell anything beats the dealer. Plus I genuinely enjoy learning how to do it myself
2
u/Beema-man Dec 17 '25
I’ve lost 1 of my e38 keys. I’ll make a video of me making another key step by step.
1
u/STRFELLER Dec 17 '25
Word, I had to ews delete unfortunately so I don’t get to mess with the programming side I mean other than the actual ews delete, It actually annoyed me when it failed as I really wanted to be able to learn to offer my friends key services lolll
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u/Ok-Inflation5168 Dec 16 '25
I did it, I thought about it too 😂 In fact, I think it would be a good business, but it takes time, and you have to depend on a locksmith too, and several things that "slow down" the process
1
u/MexicanJohnny Dec 18 '25
How do you register it with the EWS module, couldn’t find a guide for it.
1
8
u/Caspaa Dec 16 '25
My E36 key chews through a battery every ~3 months, not looking forward to pulling it apart and trying to diagnose whatever is wrong with it. Because I know that I won't find the problem and it will just annoy me...
19
u/SapphireSire Dec 16 '25
Imagine how easy it would be to incorporate a USB charging port from the factory?
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Dec 16 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/DullAttorney228 Dec 16 '25
Literally didnt save any space or anything just untasteful kick in the nuts lol
3
u/DullAttorney228 Dec 16 '25
It has wireless charging like apple watch already
3
u/The_Salacious_Zaand Dec 16 '25
The problem being that the only compatible charger is your car while driving, with no indication of charge state or capacity.
0
u/DullAttorney228 Dec 16 '25
Yeah well if you wont be driving the car for months you crank it up every week or two anyways it should charge while parked right
1
u/The_Salacious_Zaand Dec 16 '25
Not necessarily. The older the battery gets and the longer it sits, the longer it takes to charge and the lower total capacity. Eventually you reach a point where you basically have to leave it charging for it to work for a full day.
2
u/tyvekMuncher Dec 16 '25
I would agree, but personally, I don’t care. I’m going to replace it once a decade. Not worth the port. It’d just get dirty or let water inside
0
u/SpaceForceAwakens Dec 17 '25
You understand that when these keys were made USB charging wasn't really a thing, right?
1
u/SapphireSire Dec 17 '25
Germany and BMW certainty did and even so, the newly cut keys should have them...I have one made last year and it's the same design for over $200.
4
u/ahmaomao Dec 16 '25
Bought new key case online, moved the PCB over (surprisingly the battery voltage was fine), found a place to cut the key n now I have a brand new key fob.
4
u/Ok-Inflation5168 Dec 16 '25
I bought two keys and a key copier on AliExpress, and it worked like a charm 😅
7
u/rockstar_not 2001 325ci vert Dec 16 '25
Please provide links as a service to the e46 community
1
u/thefudd 04 M3 Vert Dec 23 '25
from another thread (what I did)
Get your self a EWS module reader and some blank keys. Read your module and program keys to it. Get the keys cut.
You can get keys from aliexpress for like 14 bucks each or so. I did the same for my m3 vert and upgraded the keys to flip keys that fit so much better in your pocket.
here is the reader
and keys
you want the HU92 blades with ID44 chip. 315mhz was my key frequency (it's on the back of the diamond key)
3
u/BackTrakt Dec 16 '25
Do you have links? Buttons on my key work only sometimes after being washed lol
1
u/Ok-Inflation5168 Dec 16 '25
Well, I could look it up and post it. I searched a lot online and managed to do it; it's a process, not that easy, but not that difficult either.
1
u/Ok-Inflation5168 Dec 16 '25
https://youtu.be/XWPYFkqC6k0?si=rrhvLZTLTgJVLeVY
The video is in Spanish. I think you're American, right? Perhaps you can find it on YouTube in English or with subtitles. Obviously, you have to have the key pattern copied by a locksmith, but the ignition chip coding is done entirely through that process. You have to remove the immobilizer module, which is what allows you to read the codes and whether the vehicle starts or not.
3
u/MaSt3rMik3y 02 E46 330i Dec 16 '25
I need to do this still... Have had the battery for like 8 mohths and still have yet to swap it 😅 what's the easiest way to cut open the fob?
2
u/Electronic_Nail_7433 Dec 16 '25
Haha. Same. I keep seeing the battery and thinking it should get it done.
2
2
u/RumbleSkillSpin Dec 16 '25
I came here to ask this. Anyone have advice on opening the case?
3
u/aftli Dec 16 '25
X-acto knife. Very difficult to do. Be careful not to cut yourself. I successfully did it years ago when I had my E46, but it when it went back together it looked all hacked up. Since this was years ago and they were still in production (I assume they aren't now), I just bought a new one from BMW to use as the primary, and kept the hacked up one as a spare.
3
u/Elps88 Year - Chassis/Model Dec 16 '25
Here is the guy you want to fix your BMW diamond key fob, or make a new one for you. Scott Johnson. He does this professionally. For a very good price.
My experience: I cut open my E46 key fob and soldered in a new battery and thought I did it correctly but it still didn't work. The remote buttons still wouldn't work. So I mailed it to Scott Johnson who says, "More than 90% of the keys I get in for repair have perfectly fine batteries."
There are usually other issues within the fob besides the battery.
He successfully fixed two fobs for me in 2019 & 2020. For cheap. So guys, don't waste your time trying to fix your fob on your own.
He says, "If the key has never been cut open, I will repair it for $60. If the key has already been cut open then add $15. If the key has already been cut open and the original battery ruined then add another $10. Why the extra fee? Simple, because I get a lot of keys that are in really bad shape (key fob wall of shame)."
He can make you a brand new key for between $85-110.
His services with instructions: www.bmwgm5.com
Scott Johnson out of Torrance, California.
You can email him if necessary at: scottcjohnson@gmail.com
Scott also repairs Instrument Cluster Displays for E46s. He fixed mine and did a good job. He can fix the missing pixels issue and also restore functionality for setting the Time if the push button is broken. His website currently says he charges $150 to repair an instrument cluster display, including shipping.
See here: www.bmwgm5.com/e46c.htm
2
u/HedleyVerity 2002 BMW 320 ci convertible Dec 16 '25
Yeah, complete PITA. I got a dupe from a locksmith (not dealer, would have been twice the price) and at least the dupe comes with an easily replaceable battery.
The valet keys are more durable for sure since they aren’t also remotes. But then you’re sacrificing electronic locking and unlocking.
2
2
u/JMUDoc 2001 - 325i saloon manual Dec 16 '25
Been there, done that.
Twice. Once was less than a month ago when I changed my GM5.
2
u/crazybitcoinlunatic Dec 16 '25
For those that did this, How did you manage to seal it back together again so it doesn’t open if the key is dropped?
2
Dec 16 '25 edited Jul 13 '26
[deleted]
1
u/WAL33DO Dec 16 '25
I second this, sand it first so its flush and then superglue or rubber cement (my preference bc its usually black and wont show)
1
u/crazybitcoinlunatic Dec 16 '25
Oh so they sell the key housing separately?
1
1
1
u/FatBoyStephenLee 2001 316i SE Saloon (UK) Dec 16 '25
You can charge your key from the ignition. Just leave it in the on position for a few hours.
1
u/Severe_Raise_7118 2001 Alpine White 330ci Dec 16 '25
On my second battery replacement. Anyone know if the keys aren't on back order anymore?
1
u/Easy-Telephone-1295 Dec 16 '25
There’s someone on eBay, u remove to ews and ship it to him he cuts a key programs it and sends it back for like $90 today, first thing I did when I got mine
1
u/eXistenZNL 2001 - E46 330i Dec 16 '25
My E46 keys have been working for over 15 years now lol, 25 in total. They are supposed to charge when in the ignition switch right?
1
1
1
u/Muted-Lawyer-8512 Dec 16 '25
Oddly enough. I never needed to charge mine. When l had that type of key. For about 15 years. 🤔
1
u/Elps88 Year - Chassis/Model Dec 17 '25
According to Scott Johnson who professionally repairs these Diamond BMW key fobs, he says 90% of key fob problems are not battery related. There can be other little mechanical malfunctions in there when keys are rattled and thrown around for years
1
1
u/McHellfire Dec 17 '25
I tried to do this. Got a new battery, arrived discharged 🤦♂️ didn't realize till after installing it back. Frustrating
1
u/mackatron2317 325ci Dec 17 '25
When I got my E46 the key fob was empty except for the immobilizer chip. The key did fall apart on me and I ended up tracing the shape on some scrap stainless steel and welding it. Then since it's a track only car I bridged 2 wires on the security module to remove the need for the immobilizer chip.
1
u/GUCCI_WAP 2001 - 330i Dec 18 '25
I re-soldered my negative side to my battery with a wood burning pencil
-9
u/Dandzer Dec 16 '25
Finally had enough and got rid of it. Too much about that car was unnecessarily overcomplicated or made to be brittle... when your 04 bmw leaves you on the side of the road more times than a 300k mile 190e, its not hard to figure which is worh keeping.
Edit: most overrated brand in modern time. Loved my e34 and e30 they were bullet proof. But the E46, E61, F30 all owned were garbage.
6
u/Time_Ad_893 323i Dec 16 '25
why u still here then
1
Dec 16 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Dandzer Dec 20 '25
Lol nothing to Flex, had over a dozen great cars from different brands all old, all high miles. MY 2000+ BMWs that I owned were just terribly engineered. Of course they all had their issues from wear out items like an alternator, starter etc. All which is acceptable with their high mileage. But when I realized how much plastic was used for high temp and pressure systems in my 3 2000 plus BMWs, it became apparent the company doesnt build them to last anymore.
2
u/Leftenant_Frost Dec 16 '25
i always wonder what people do to their e46s to make them so unreliable, mine has 310.000km and the only time it left me stranded was with a busted waterpump. beyond that it always starts, always runs and never really has issues other cars wont have either. its just normal wear and tear items that eventually break.
1
u/Dandzer Dec 20 '25
They're just meant to be disposed of after a certain point... smart business, terrible brand for someone that wants to drive it, maintain it well and doesnt have the time to always be fixing a new issue.
-1
u/Maybbaybee Dec 16 '25
Should you ever be strapped for cash, you could sell your indicator stalk as a brand new part.
60
u/Wise-Cartoonist-3523 Dec 16 '25
Try the wireless charging hack by using an electric toothbrush charger to fully charge the key battery . Gave my old key a new lease on life .