How to Repair BMW E46 3 Series Remote Key
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- čas přidán 2. 09. 2016
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More info:
Remove the old battery first and ensure the contact points are the same on the new battery. It seems some key fobs of this generation differ slightly - please check yours. The video features a key from a pre-facelift 2001 E46 325i Saloon. I'm told this works for an E39 too so possibly will work for other diamond shape keys from this era (Z3 E36 for example).
If your BMW E46 Remote Key is no longer working it could be your battery. The unit is sealed so here is a short video to help you repair it for a fraction of the price of a new key.
What you'll need:
• Sharp blade/craft knife (be careful!)
• Soldering Iron
• New Battery (VL2020)
• Ebay - ebay.us/yJD4RV
• Amazon (UK) - amzn.to/2kTawKv
Make sure the pin layout is the same as your old battery as this will make it so much easier!!! It should cost around £10.
• Sugru
•Amazon (UK) amzn.to/2sCpzw4
• Ebay - ebay.us/Y0TOGU
Pro-tip - if you have leftover Sugru, plan another project alongside this to avoid wasting it. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Thank goodness we have you! Best video. wish i would have found you first before slicing up my friends key fob. now i can fix it!
Finally someone who demonstrates a proper way to do this. 95% of the other videos shows some half-assed way of releasing the spot welding points, even putting in a non-rechargeable battery! Good job!
probably the cleanest method of changing the battery ive seen so far, great video
Great video and spot on. Just fixed my key today and no problems at all. Easy to do, the battery was $15, the glue was $15 and the soldering was dead simple. Saved near $300. Nice!
Well done Rich Gee!! Everything done beautifully!! I'll be doing this in the next few years too so thank you for the tips and info. Comes out almost like factory. You Rock!
Just followed this to the letter for my X5 4.8is V8.... worked 1st time - thank you !
Hey Rich! I followed all your instructions including getting the Sugru glue from the U.K. Amazon site. Battery came from some one in Europe. I was not as cautious as I should have been and accidentally cut some surface mount resisters off the board and had to find them in the debris. My partner in crime is pretty good with a shouldering iron and was able to,shoulder everything back as it should be. It works like new.
Excellent illustrative video!
that was a great video. I really appreciate it. thanks to you I will fix my key for my e46 330ci. very clean work!!!
Temperature
I really appreciate your helpful video on changing the battery in the e46 key, especially the use of Sugra (so much cleaner than others using crazy glue or whatever). I will attempt this within the hour as I purchased the battery you have from some Eastern European country.. Thanks again.
Great video thanks mate you have saved me a big headache and a lot of money. Great work thanks very much.
Great video. Very good presenter.
We called our local "Batteries and Bulbs" jobber and they had the exact VL2020/90 Degree coin battery for our X3 remote. Soldered, Charged, and Glued, works great! BTW, we used a variable voltage R/C Car charger (3V-100MAh setting) to charge the battery before installing. Thanks Everyone.
Great video. I put my key on a board with a c clamp holding it and made several passes with a razor blade. Quick question though. My key is for a 01 740 e38 and I noticed I either don't see a transponder chip, don't have one or lost mine in the opening process. My insides look just like yours. Any thoughts.
Before you change a battery, put your key in the ignition turn to position two take key out while pressing and holding the unlock on the key fob also press the lock button 3 times. Your locks will lock and unlock and your key has been re synced
Hi Rich would like to say thank you for your video. I followed it and successfully got my key working again . When I replaced the battery I stuck the key together with superglue which did not last and so bought a pack of sugru and stuck it "great stuff " 'and so many uses cheers Phil
No need to desolder
The old batter can be deftly cut loose on both sides
Leave the soldered lugs alone
Just slide in the new VL2020 battery , put a tiny piece of two way 3m tape on both sides to keet it in place so it doesnt move or put a tiny drop of glue
What's up Rich! Just wanted to extend a HUGE THANK YOU! I just did this literally 2 seconds ago and it worked! Had to reprogram with the lock/unlock buttons, but its all good now! I used Sugru just like you did and its the best, makes a nice clean seam. Great fucking job dude!
+Rich Gee I think Steph just wants to know for the sake of knowing; to cover all bases.
+Steph A How you reprogram the key is:
Press and hold the unlock button (button closest to key blade) while pressing the lock button (BMW emblem) 3 times, then release the unlock button.
Can confirm the Sugru works excellent. Still working/looking mint after a couple of months.
Any time! Let us know how it all goes please!
I have done everything yet do not own a 'soldering' tool...what do they cost typically? where do I get the best, simplest and cheapest soldering tool???great tutorial, thank you so much, Mia
I saw a video re using a toothbrush charger to recharge your key. I was a bit doubtful but as mine has a hole in the middle i put the key into it and left it charging overnight and much to my surprise it worked. The key is charged in the ignition by a stator coil and that is apparently how toothbrushes are charged.
can you recommend where to get a battery from, loads on ebay but all seem to have contact points in wrong place
I have a 2003 x5 e53 and my fob don't work it looks identical to this one ur repairing the battery is the vl2020 can you confirm the correct one that works of the listing u have on here? Another thing is that my board doesn't have the piece of foil shown underneath the battery when you remove it. do you know if this is what contacts with the key in the ignition to pass the charge to the battery? Thank you!!
I'm having trouble programming mine replaced battery with ml2020 rechargable 3v only difference is no back paper/card should I pit something in to replace this as it could short the board ? Other is this battery is the one you solder straight in so don't have the sprung terminal connecters as there wouldn't be a need the new battery solder points are in lime with the holes etc but still no luck but can start the car of course any ideas ? Thanks
hi Rich thanks for the video, can you let us know where to get a battery from, the ones I see in the internet loads all seem to have contact points in wrong place, thanks a lot Carlos
Hi where do I buy the part that you just replaced?? thanks
this is a task and a half ! where do I find the battery and sugaru ?
Will this work with the E85 key fob?
where did you find the battery with clip?
Hi Rich, you could add this replacement works for the E39 as well. Good video, thanks for sharing.
Will this work on x5( 2002) bmw
I did this. It wasn't that difficult. Hardest part was getting the case open. Reprogrammed it when I was done. Worked like a charm.
grazie bravissimo
hi What type of battery is needed please
I damaged the chip while cutting the key fob open. Only the trunk unlock works now. Can I replace the chip with another one from another key fob?
Hi Rich. Thanks for the video tutorial. I ordered 2 batteries from the link you provided. (*It appears to be shipped from Bulgaria.) Anyway it seems to be taking longer than expected. Did you have to wait a long time to receive your order? I'm in Canada, which might explain the delay. Cheers
How is Sugru holding out so far? It's only been 5 months ...
anyone have a link to an actual battery? i know its the vl2020 but everything i see online has awful reviews....
TY will try...what type of battery and where is the best place to find one for 2002 525i?...dealers want hundreds $$...they do not replace batteries! ~ a girl asking...ty.
The remote control now works after replace baterry, but now I canot unlock the car manually with the key in the lock!
Can you give me some instructions? tnx
Where did you get the battery at?
This is VL2020?
Where can I get that battery?
great vid mate, really need to ask you will that glue strong enough to hold the plastic body in place when you twist the key to start the car?
thanks!
Yes, it's absolutely solid
Keep in mind that door lock/unlock is totally separate from starting. The starting function does not require the battery, it is powered from the antenna ring on the ignition switch.
Yes. FYI. Tried to start my 2006 X3 without the circuit board in the key and it didn't work. Never knew I needed it to start the car. Starts with a dead key battery inside. I figure these key batteries last up to a max of 10 years as both failed about the same time. Hoping it is not the charging unit inside the ignition. Or is it charged via wireless induction charging?
Will the car start if the battery weak?
where do you get the replacement battery with the solder points and cage on already on it?
Where can i get this battery?
How strong is that sugru holding up, would you say the bond is permanent like superglue strength?
Yes, absolutely solid.
I’ve changed the battery to my key and tested it but it will not work can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong
I have the right size and type of battery but the contact points are on opposite sides from each other. If I solder one side on, the other point will be diagonal from the contact point at the top left. What do I do with the other contact point? Do I solder it or fold it down?
Is it needed (presuming it is the negative terminal?) Or do I have to buy a battery where the contact wraps around the outside of the battery?
Super video. Thanks!!
Just changed the battery for mine last night. Got the battery (VL2020) from Batteries Plus Bulbs a store here in California. And yes the contact harness was on the wrong side so what I did I used the solder gun to take the old battery off of the circuit board. I then had to physically cut the top harness off of the new battery with a knife ( cut the shit out of my finger so please be careful) DO NOT CUT THE BOTTOM CONNECTOR HARNESS OFF OF THE NEW BATTERY U WILL BE SOLDERING THAT CONNECTOR TO THE BOARD IN THE SAME HOLE/SOLDER POINT AS THE OLD BATTERY. I then cut the top connector off of the old battery ( it's soldered to the battery and it is a pain in the ass but cut through the three solder points). I then soldered the bottom connector that is attached to the new battery to the circuit board. Next I soldered the old connector to the circuit board making sure that it was in contact with the battery. The connector does not have to be soldered to the battery it just needs to make contact. Just to recap; 1) used the solder gun to remove old battery. 2) Cut top connector off new battery, then cut top connector off of old battery. 3) Solder new battery onto the circuit board using bottom connector. 4) With the battery in place i then soldered the old connector onto circuit board making sure the connector is making contact with battery. Hope I didn't confuse u more, if I did I apologize. Be sure to program the key to your car once u finish. Good luck!
Tried it on my 2001M3 E46..Didn’t work . I’ve done it to my previous 2002 bmw 330i. Don’t know what went wrong..
i have a problem the key doesn't unlock or lock, and i cant open the door with the key ? anyone have ideas ?
hello, i am going to give this a go shortly... will you need to re programme the key afterwards? TIA (Merry Christmas)
okay thanks cheers mate :)
hello i have just changed the battery as you done it but hasn't fixed it any other ideas? thanks.
the central locking works perfectly just nothing with the key.. thanks
Did you let it charge for a significant amount of time? I read somewhere that it can take several hours (30 I think) of charging for the battery to be full. So I imagine just to get enough charge to work to open the locks might take a bit of a drive. Not sure, just a suggestion...
renragged how does the battery charge!
it's supposed to charge in the ignition while driving
Where did you buy the battery with the solding on it?
My key the solding was broken the previous owner fucked it up
My lock switch has come off the board some how and I've lost it. Is there anyway for it to be fixed or am I at a loss mate. Many thanks .
That sucks mate, tbh I'm not certain how interchangeable parts are on the board but I'm sure micro-switches are available. Good luck and let us know how you get on. 👍
sound keeps disappearing!!
Hello everybody, I can't solve mine yet. 2003 BMW 530I two keys do not work for remote locking unlocking .Original battery shows 2.96V so its fine. Fuse # 53 central locking in the trunk is not blown...manual mode for central locking works fine..what else could be an issue? Relay?
Did u solve the problem I have same thing happening
Hi mate do you actually fix these keys for other people
easy peasise John
Does the sugru interfere with the transponder chip and the ignition pick up coil....do they still communicate properly? My key is on its very last days, been quoted £200 for a replacement but this is the best DIY vid I've found so far!
Rich Gee that's great! Thank you for the reply, I've cut my key open and ordered the parts but I found I have vl2020 battery, the pins seem to match the ml2020 so ordered both to be safe along with the sugru. Just waiting for it all to arrive so my key is taped together for now although it seems since opening it, the lock button doesn't like to work so hoping it's just due to the battery being so low that it's desperate for a new one
I have a 2002 BMW 325 xi with one key only I can start the car with it but I can NOT lock unlock the car. If I reprogram the key does the reprogram affect the starting the car???
I don't own a soldering iron, will it not work if I don't solder it?
You definitely need to solder the connection
what a these battery called thanks
Loads of info in the description to help, the battery is a version of VL2020.
I sliced into the tiny micro capacitors on the PCB....be very careful!
Hello, my key's electronic is dead. Any suggestion on what could I do to fix it?
They told me I need to get a new key (~150 eur). I don't want to believe that it can't be fixed... still looking for a solution :D
Yep got I just didnt look, hugely expensive for the battery and housing
fab Ive just ordered that one
the audio goes out several times.
Be careful not to cut your hands I am in the process of doing this held the key in my left hand with thick garden glove on my mate used football socks then proceed to cut carefully with a stanley/utility knife
Before replacing the battery, try reprogramming the key. Hold the key next to the ignition slot without inserting it. Press and hold the top unlock button, the button nearest the key flat. Continue holding it, and press the center unlock button three times. If you key reprograms, you'll know it immediately.
Great video. Glad to know BMW keeps making even the easiest of jobs stupid difficult. I can now change the batteries on the worst car I've ever owned in my 27 years of life: 2008 BMW X3. I'm a mechanical engineer; and I can tell you... the more I dig into this vehicle, the more insulted I feel to share the title with the BMW engineers in Germany. German engineering... pfft. Buy Japanese or even American.
Thanks for your great comment and it raises an interesting point. I've owned many BMWs over many years as you can see from my videos as well as Japanese and other German marques. I've had E36, E46, E90, F31 and now an E70 X5 and i'll be doing a video soon to cover this exact point; What made BMWs special was the attention to detail & engineering, in the age of competition and mass production, that has been lost. There is however a great community of people who come together to try and solve these issues. Thanks again for your input.
this mute shit is anoying, but nice vid dude
Hi mate thanks that’s a nice presented video so hats off , However! I’ll say this much after doing thus job recently ..firstly Bmw are bastards for making this the most worst key to be worked on..they did everything to make u Chuck this in the bin..taking it apart is no where easy as it looks in any video..this is pain staking timely graft.,.it is so easy to slip and cut your fingers off that I’m surprised they don’t give u a first aid kit with any new DIY fob.. also there’s a high chance of scorching the mother board with the stanly blade ..fair play and respect to anyone that done the job..personally speaking I wish I just paid the £100 pound for a duplicate key with 3 button operation would have saved the head ache , yes Bmw charge stupid prices but a private lock Smith will do this for £100 or less, this is the last time I ever do this stupid job.. but thanks for your time to make the video 👍👍
Thanks MrMagsimus, totally agree it's one for the keen DIYer. Such a shame it's made so hard by manufacturers to repair things yourself. I've noticed a few high street shops and cobblers offering key services. Thanks for the insight 👍
Who the hell has a sod-erring iron handy
lol what? buy one for $8 anywhere
Wtf kinda battery is that !
I love how everyone making these videos just skips past the actual process. They’ve already done it and then film after.
Why bother trying to show how to open the case and then just skip to yours already done?
Why bother explaining how to undo the solder and then just skip to your battery already removed?
Nigga you think this guy has access to infinite bmw keys?
changed my battery and nothing happened
same me
thanks ill try re programming it tomorrow found couple videos online..other then that ill live without central locking
:(
Bearded Carnivore
That does mean living without the alarm you can still open and lock the doors
Me too
Where can I get the battery?
Amazon or Ebay (all info is in the description)