Key FOB Programming

gulfstream69xr7 · 01-05-2020, 08:17 AM

Long story short...When we bought our current 2013 F10 535 the dealer only had one key FOB. So since we've owned the car we have only had one key FOB. Cleaning out a drawer this week I found the FOB from the 2013 F10 535 that my wife totaled. So I have one key FOB coded for her car, and one coded to her previous car, same year make and model.

Any way I can use the second key FOB with the current car? Searched al over the forums and cannot get a clear answer. Some have suggested the chip in the FOB can be replaced and coded to the car. Is this a dealer only thing? Do I actually have to order one of the 10 original chips?

Any help would be appreciated.

wcr3d · 01-05-2020, 08:51 AM

Simply no.
You can get another, it doesn't have to be from a dealer but the guy better know what he's doing and have access to virgin fobs.
This can be difficult so most people go through a dealership.

Qsilver7 · 01-05-2020, 09:10 AM

Ditto above. BMW will NOT sell you a CAS/EWS transponder chip alone. They only sell whole remote key fobs.

Your old fob will never start your new car because each remote fob/key has an encrypted ISN (individual serial number) that has been written to it (its a one-time write chip) that matches other components in your car that must match.

The old bladed remotes that used the EWS control module for engine immobilization (like the e38/e39/e46/e53)...could be programmed to lock/unlock and arm/disarm another BMW...but that was because the GM (general module) performed those duties...and if you performed the initializing procedure...the GM would reassign a new rolling code to each key number assignment...thus allowing ONLY the keys that were programmed during the same session the ability to lock/unlock and arm/disarm (the anti-theft alarm siren system).

The F & G chassis BMWs now use the CAS module and a longer encryption key. There are fewer people that know how to retrieve the data required to make aftermarket remotes (that have CAS)...so make doubly sure if you go this route that the person knows what it is they must do. If not, you'll end up with a rather expensive BMW trinket instead of a fully functioning/working remote fob.

Another way to say the above is..the remote fobs are NOT a one-trick-pony. There are multiple things and systems being utilized that are independent of one another but do work in conjunction sometimes with each other. The remote fob is immobilizing the starting procedure, locking/unlocking the vehicle, and arming/disarming the anti-theft alarm siren system. Locking & Arming is sending a 315 MHz radio signal to an aerial embedded in the rear window...then onto amps and receivers that then send that data to control modules which eventually send commands to other control modules to lock/unlock and arm/disarm the car. The starting/immobilizing system is communicating between the remote fob, a components in the steering column, the CAS module, and the engine's DME/ECU to shut down ignition, the starter, and fuel injection...and communicates over a 125 KHz am radio signal.

If you understand how all of this works...then it is easier to understand what must be done if you're going to try to make-up a key outside the BMW dealership. BMW doesn't do used or aftermarket keys. They will take your car's VIN and go to their database and use the info (encryption key) that was written to the car as it came off the assembly line...then write that data to a new key fob and send it back to you. Depending on how the car is optioned (comfort access or not)...other programming may be required to get a new key up and running.

Good luck...hope this helps clear up some things for you.

AmooManiak · 01-05-2020, 07:02 PM

I'm in Chicago and was in a similar dilemma. I ordered a blank OEM key for less than $50 online and had it programmed by someone locally for another $150. I'm not sure what the dealership charges, but for less than $200 I added an additional OEM key and everything works perfectly (including comfort access.)

Qsilver7 · 01-06-2020, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

I'm in Chicago and was in a similar dilemma. I ordered a blank OEM key for less than $50 online and had it programmed by someone locally for another $150. I'm not sure what the dealership charges, but for less than $200 I added an additional OEM key and everything works perfectly (including comfort access.)

Does this person advertise their services? Lots of owners with CAS would probably like to use their services for a spare or 2nd remote fob if you don't mind sharing their name or contact info.

Does it require taking your vehicle to them?

Secret_Asian · 01-06-2020, 01:36 PM

Had a key made for me at a bmw shop in the philly area. Dropped off my cas and key picked up my cas and 3 keys on a 2013 5 and a 2014 5 drove the car over and did it there

AmooManiak · 01-06-2020, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Does this person advertise their services? Lots of owners with CAS would probably like to use their services for a spare or 2nd remote fob if you don't mind sharing their name or contact info.

Does it require taking your vehicle to them?

Yes, he does. He needs the car as he has to access some part under the steering wheel. I dropped it off and picked it up within 2 hours.

Encendido3 · 01-06-2020, 06:29 PM

Damn. I was afraid they couldn't be reused. I found my spare key from my recently totaled 535. I plan on buying another one in the next week and was hoping to reuse the old key. Oh well.

gulfstream69xr7 · 01-06-2020, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Secret_Asian

Had a key made for me at a bmw shop in the philly area. Dropped off my cas and key picked up my cas and 3 keys on a 2013 5 and a 2014 5 drove the car over and did it there

Do you remember the name of the place. Philly area works for me.

Secret_Asian · 01-06-2020, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Encendido3

Damn. I was afraid they couldn't be reused. I found my spare key from my recently totaled 535. I plan on buying another one in the next week and was hoping to reuse the old key. Oh well.

When I had mine done they provided their own key. I'll dig up the guys # and PM it too you

Qsilver7 · 01-07-2020, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

Yes, he does. He needs the car as he has to access some part under the steering wheel. I dropped it off and picked it up within 2 hours.

Thanks for the info.

01-05-2020, 08:17 AM	#1
gulfstream69xr7 Private 30 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 535XI Join Date: May 2016 Location: Greater Philly iTrader: (0)	Key FOB Programming Long story short...When we bought our current 2013 F10 535 the dealer only had one key FOB. So since we've owned the car we have only had one key FOB. Cleaning out a drawer this week I found the FOB from the 2013 F10 535 that my wife totaled. So I have one key FOB coded for her car, and one coded to her previous car, same year make and model. Any way I can use the second key FOB with the current car? Searched al over the forums and cannot get a clear answer. Some have suggested the chip in the FOB can be replaced and coded to the car. Is this a dealer only thing? Do I actually have to order one of the 10 original chips? Any help would be appreciated.
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01-05-2020, 08:51 AM	#2
wcr3d Captain 461 Rep 659 Posts Drives: 2013 535i XDrive M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Simply no. You can get another, it doesn't have to be from a dealer but the guy better know what he's doing and have access to virgin fobs. This can be difficult so most people go through a dealership.
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01-05-2020, 09:10 AM	#3
Qsilver7 Major General 4448 Rep 7,488 Posts Drives: F06 650ix GC / F15 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Indiana, USA iTrader: (0)	Ditto above. BMW will NOT sell you a CAS/EWS transponder chip alone. They only sell whole remote key fobs. Your old fob will never start your new car because each remote fob/key has an encrypted ISN (individual serial number) that has been written to it (its a one-time write chip) that matches other components in your car that must match. The old bladed remotes that used the EWS control module for engine immobilization (like the e38/e39/e46/e53)...could be programmed to lock/unlock and arm/disarm another BMW...but that was because the GM (general module) performed those duties...and if you performed the initializing procedure...the GM would reassign a new rolling code to each key number assignment...thus allowing ONLY the keys that were programmed during the same session the ability to lock/unlock and arm/disarm (the anti-theft alarm siren system). The F & G chassis BMWs now use the CAS module and a longer encryption key. There are fewer people that know how to retrieve the data required to make aftermarket remotes (that have CAS)...so make doubly sure if you go this route that the person knows what it is they must do. If not, you'll end up with a rather expensive BMW trinket instead of a fully functioning/working remote fob. Another way to say the above is..the remote fobs are NOT a one-trick-pony. There are multiple things and systems being utilized that are independent of one another but do work in conjunction sometimes with each other. The remote fob is immobilizing the starting procedure, locking/unlocking the vehicle, and arming/disarming the anti-theft alarm siren system. Locking & Arming is sending a 315 MHz radio signal to an aerial embedded in the rear window...then onto amps and receivers that then send that data to control modules which eventually send commands to other control modules to lock/unlock and arm/disarm the car. The starting/immobilizing system is communicating between the remote fob, a components in the steering column, the CAS module, and the engine's DME/ECU to shut down ignition, the starter, and fuel injection...and communicates over a 125 KHz am radio signal. If you understand how all of this works...then it is easier to understand what must be done if you're going to try to make-up a key outside the BMW dealership. BMW doesn't do used or aftermarket keys. They will take your car's VIN and go to their database and use the info (encryption key) that was written to the car as it came off the assembly line...then write that data to a new key fob and send it back to you. Depending on how the car is optioned (comfort access or not)...other programming may be required to get a new key up and running. Good luck...hope this helps clear up some things for you. __________________ 2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)\| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha) Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
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01-05-2020, 07:02 PM	#4
AmooManiak Lieutenant Colonel 637 Rep 1,589 Posts Drives: 21 X5 M50i -> M2C -> 21 M5C Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I'm in Chicago and was in a similar dilemma. I ordered a blank OEM key for less than $50 online and had it programmed by someone locally for another $150. I'm not sure what the dealership charges, but for less than $200 I added an additional OEM key and everything works perfectly (including comfort access.)
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01-06-2020, 01:36 PM	#6
Secret_Asian Private First Class 31 Rep 113 Posts Drives: f10 lci luxury line Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: philly iTrader: (0)	Had a key made for me at a bmw shop in the philly area. Dropped off my cas and key picked up my cas and 3 keys on a 2013 5 and a 2014 5 drove the car over and did it there
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01-06-2020, 06:29 PM	#8
Encendido3 Second Lieutenant 98 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2016 535i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Damn. I was afraid they couldn't be reused. I found my spare key from my recently totaled 535. I plan on buying another one in the next week and was hoping to reuse the old key. Oh well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote