Bad key transponder

[topazblue330i]

Okay, so I'm going to meet a girl for a first date and realize I'm a bit low on gas...no biggie got plenty of time to swing through a gas station and fill up...if there wasn't a line at my local gas station. Anyway finally get the gas, going to be just a couple minutes late put the key in the ignition, and nothing. Dash lights up, A/C turns on, so definitely had power but the engine just wouldn't turn over. Called the service department at my dealership and they suggested it might be a bad key transponder. :realmad:

So, I call up a friend who gives me a ride back to my house to get the spare key and voila...only 45 minutes late to the date...which went okay if anyone is wondering :lol:

Just wanted to post here so folks know what symptoms to expect from a bad key transponder...there is no indicator on the dash as to what the problem is...dash lights up, accessories work, but the engine won't turn over.

A new key would be $130 bucks at my dealer, but they are replacing it under warranty :lol:

Happy Bimmering,
Dave

[fcotanis]

Thanks for the info.
Live and learn!
Live and learn!
Thanks again,
Filip

[morcheeba]

Glad to hear the date went well!

I've got an idea on how to diagnose the key transponder that I'm surprised the BMW people didn't ask you to do (of course, it may not work, and that could be a good reason).

I noticed that the key-in-ignition-with-door-open bell seems to come on just before I've actually inserted the key. It seems that the transponder is what triggers it, and to prove it, I tried just putting the key next to the keyhole and it dung. (this was a while ago, but I'm 99% sure the experiment succeededd). If it didn't ding for you TB, then that could have been a sign that it was bad.

Of course, the transponder could fail in different ways. It may return the wrong code, but still be identifiable -- so the bell could be looking for the presence of a transponder but not really care if the code is correct.

ps. filip - an update on my new $200 Pilot Sport PS2's -- 1200 miles into my set and I got a flat from a big chunk of metal someone left. I'm not sure if it's repairable. Who are these NC people who have accidents and then leave a lot of debris in the road?! :realmad:

[topazblue330i]

Can't confirm whether that was a good test idea or not since BMW held the bad key so I can't test to find out if the transponder in the bad key would still cause the door open/ key in bell to go off.

Oh well, maybe next time.