tooltec

I can advise from recent experience with the "smartkey" (push button start/stop),but I don't think 04's have that.You need to be more specific on your type of key.

Rudy

Push button start/stop or not, a non-CA key still recharges it's battery when inserted in the slot/keyhole. I'm still thinking there's a problem with the battery on the OP's key so we need to figure out if it's getting charged, etc.

tooltec

When a 3 button smartkey battery (normally charged from an induction loop) is discharged the key will not switch the ignition on and the engine cannot be started.
The battery cannot be replaced and a new key is required fom BMW only.My handbook recommends that the spare key be used twice a year on a long run in order to keep the battery charged.Not many owners actually do that and the spare key eventually becomes useless.

DanP

That's interesting... I have an electric toothbrush that is charged by an induction loop. I wonder if that charger would work on a BMW key? You'd have to find the correct orientation of the key, and the impedances might be all wrong, but there's a chance it might work well enough to get the key kick-started.

I don't think I'll let my spare key discharge enough to try it out, though.

tooltec

The main problem is that if the battery is completely discharged,the smartkey loses it's memory ,so,even if you were able to get some charge into it ,you cannot recover it.
Personally,I prefer the remote fobs that have a replaceable coin battery (low cost/DIY),but they don't store all the information that the smartkeys do.
A word of caution to all that leave their spare smartkey in a drawer,a replacement is very expensive!
If you have a "dead" key while still under warranty,don't tell the dealer that you have never used it.

pauld30

there is a web site with info about our smart keys.. bentlypublishers.com try wikipidia bmw remote key initializing.
or google it. it might help solve the problem. lots of info very interersting.

pauld30

just google( bmw key e60 initializing)

tooltec

The information applies to a remote control with the conventional key blade ,i.e. prior to the start button models. As I said earlier, we need to know which type of remote the OP has.
If it is the key blade version,the remote control battery is inductively charged in ignition lock position 1.The battery needs a minimum of 30 mins charging so he could try leaving the key in position 1 to see if he can then initialize it.
My posts apply to the non-blade smartkey and the Bentley Publishers initialization procedure is not applicable.

E92-Lighting

does anyone have the correct fix?