Key initialisation problem...

[Stock323iSaloon]

All of a sudden, my main keyfob failed to lock/unlock despite the red light illuminating everytime a button was pressed so I started to use my spare keyfob...Just in case, I replaced the battery on the broken keyfob but that made no difference. I then tried to initialise the broken one and i managed to get it working, but strangely, the spare keyfob (was working before) now doesn't work now. I've had both keyfobs working before so I def know I can have 2 fobs working at the same time. I followed these instructions but I still can't get the spare one to work now. Very strange that the functioning key lost its ability and transferred to another....Any ideas?

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=199353&highlight=initialize

[Stock323iSaloon]

I should stop replying to my own thread but I got this sorted out by the dealer. I was fuming cause I only bought the key as spare from them not long ago (82 quid) and I've not even used the bloody thing! 2 reps said 30min labour BS and tried to charge me 60quid for recoding the key, but the (nice) parts guy came to my rescue (only took him 5 sec).

Anyway, the problem was due to my keyfob being 'old style' and the code was somehow lost. The initialisation steps are different for my keyfob to the link in my first post. So if u have an old style keyfob (I drive a 99' pre-facelift model), this is what you do to initialise:

- roll down driver's side window
- insert keyfob that is coded correctly and turn key to potision 1
- wait few seconds till obc comes up
- switch back key to OFF and remove key
- open/close driver's door
- within 10 sec or so, hold down the arrow button and tap roundel button 3 times
- release both buttons together and you're done:)

Tips and lessons learned
- key codes can be lost for no apparent reason
- rotate keyfob use monthly to make sure battery is charged and coded
- verify which keyfob (old or new) u have and follow correct initialisation steps if code is lost
- change battery if needed. don't get them from the dealer (7 quid each), get them from eBay (I got 5 for 2 quid inc postage)
- Coopers Cobham are poo, apart from the parts guy [cool

[Afif]

did you mean 'insert keyfob that ISNT coded correctly and turn to position one?'

[Stock323iSaloon]

did you mean 'insert keyfob that ISNT coded correctly and turn to position one?'

nope, i mean what i said... use the working key in the ignition and the non-working one in your hand ready to press buttons:)

[Afif]

so you do the last two steps with the non working one? or do all the steps with the working one and it automatically makes the non working one work?

[Stock323iSaloon]

hope this clears things up:) this will save u some money unless your dealer will do it for free all the time (I doubt it unless u spend a lot of money with them).

- roll down driver's side window
- insert keyfob that is coded correctly (working one) and turn key to potision 1
- wait few seconds till obc comes up
- switch back working key to OFF position and remove working key
- open/close driver's door with your hand
- within 10 sec or so, hold down the arrow button and tap roundel button 3 times on the non-working one
- release both buttons together on the non-working one and you're done (the non-working one should now be coded and works)

apparently u can do up to 4 keys using this but all keys must be there at the same time

[Afif]

nice one man. People like me wont get confused now [ok.

[Shuriken]

You confused me, but then again, I don't have the bits you have on your cars.

Shuriken.