How Do You Start a BMW With a Dead Key?
Recently, one of our clients came in because her BMW wouldn’t start. When she called for roadside assistance help, BMW roadside came out immediately to try and assist her.
No remote unlock or Comfort Access are available, but a dead key may still allow you to gain entry and start your vehicle manually. First locate your mechanical key within your key fob – there should be a release button somewhere along its back or side – then manually unlock and start your car with this dead key.
Unlock the Door
Some BMW models include either a physical key slot underneath the door handle (E Series) or just an internal start/stop button (F, G and I Series), so when your key fob fails to work you can use its mechanical counterpart to unlock it with just one mechanical key.
If your battery dies, its internal sensors rely on receiving signals from the metal blade within your key fob in order to activate your car’s internal start button; without sufficient charge remaining in your key fob’s battery pack, they won’t be able to locate this blade and activate your car. But there may still be enough juice remaining for sending weak signals from it in order to unlock your door!
Alternatively, other ways may be required to start the car. Most modern key fobs come equipped with an emergency slot for when batteries die; consult your owner’s manual or ask the service department where this slot can be found; it should typically just be an easily removable cover that you can open with your fingers – this shouldn’t prove too challenging to locate!
Some key fobs feature an additional button that lets you release the key blade manually and open your door manually. If your BMW offers this feature, press the bottom button of your key fob to slide out its metal key blade and use it to unlock your car manually.
As another possible approach, attempt holding your key fob near the sensor on the car’s key start button; this may be enough to trigger it even if its battery has run dry. If this fails, call roadside assistance for help.
Keep in mind that if you’re outside your own driveway, someone could intercept and use an amplifier to boost the signal your key fob is sending to get closer to your car. If this worries you, consider keeping your key fob inside a signal-blocking pouch for added protection from outside signals.
Push the START Button
BMWs typically feature push-button start systems, wherein you do not need to insert a key into the ignition in order to start your engine. Instead, starting button relies on low frequency signal from key fob that communicates with computer system to start engine. Fob emits an ID signal that the vehicle recognizes; should its battery die it will prevent connection and starting of vehicle.
If the battery of your key fob has died, to start your car press and hold down the brake pedal with one hand while pressing and holding down the start button with another. This allows internal sensors to recognize its signal even though its signal has changed due to being powered off due to dead batteries. If this fails then there could be issues with either transmitter or start button; should that occur then contact a dealership in order to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Toyota Smart Key fobs contain a regular metal key should their battery die. Once you start up your car, simply push the bottom button on your fob and retrieve this regular metal key to use as a regular key.
Other cars may offer slots on their steering column or center console that allow you to insert your key fob in order to bring it closer to its receiver even when its battery has died, even without using its receiver. You should check your owner’s manual for details regarding this location; if it works, this indicates there may be an antenna or wiring problem which needs repair by your dealer; otherwise you should consider exploring your rights under State Lemon Laws or Federal Warranty Laws as well as consulting a specialist attorney on such issues; they can help find you good car dealers as well as help get money back if your dealer doesn’t resolve matters satisfactorily.
Insert the Key Fob
An emergency assistance may be required in the case of a dead key fob, however modern cars have backup systems designed to help start your car even without one – for instance some Ford models offer hidden key fob slots within cup holders that you can use to push start button manually; you could also try using your phone as remote (e.g. myChevrolet mobile or MyMazda apps).
If you own a Toyota Smart Key with a traditional metal key, there’s a hidden, old-school key hidden within in case the fob battery dies. To access it, press the bottom button of your fob and retrieve it by pressing it; insert this key into your ignition in traditional fashion to unlock your car!
Some BMW models feature both a physical key slot and start/stop button on the steering column, enabling you to use regular mechanical keys to start their engine. To do this, first press and hold the brake pedal while pressing start/stop button as usual with key fob, insert key fob into slot, use it to start car.
E-series vehicles with Comfort Access enable drivers to use the mechanical key if their key fob dies. To do this, locate and press a small release button or latch located on the back of their key fob in order to release it, which then allows them to remove their mechanical key and insert it into their door handle slot slot.
If you’re concerned about a dead key fob, purchasing an additional key fob from your local auto dealer might help avoid issues in the future. Check if your roadside assistance plan covers key fob replacement or jumpstart services as well; keep its number handy both on your phone and wallet to avoid unexpected costs later. Alternatively, get one with Jerry (Jerry’s leading roadside assistance), who can connect you with service providers who can assist with dead key fob issues as soon as they arise.
Remove the Emergency Key
BMW models feature an innovative feature: a secret backup key slot. In some instances, this can be found underneath a cover on a door handle and removed for access; otherwise, emergency keys may even be stored within their key fob – though accessing these may prove more challenging.
This method takes advantage of BMW’s internal sensors’ ability to recognize a key when it’s within range and close enough for starting, thanks to their magnet built into each sensor which picks up any metal on it when near. Furthermore, BMW vehicles will typically work even with keys with low batteries or no power left altogether – something no other car manufacturer does!
To use this approach, locate the start button on your vehicle’s steering column and push it while holding the dead key fob against it. This should allow it to start and thus clear any “no key” warnings on its dashboard. If this method doesn’t work immediately, try multiple times or wait several hours until your key recharges itself.
Hold the key fob against the gear shifter of your BMW when its key fob has died to start it up again. Some models feature a cap which covers up the lock cylinder on your vehicle, but its edge features a notch which can be unbuttoned to reveal it and be inserted into a locked gearshifter to unlock its doors.
Replacing the battery in your BMW key fob is also possible, though to do so you must first deactivate and code your existing key profile before programming a new key into your vehicle if you wish to use it to unlock Comfort Access features with it. In E-series vehicles this process is simplified by deactivating it using onboard infotainment systems before recoding for acceptance of a new key profile.
