Dreaded key won’t turn in ignition...

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when i messing with the TD6 that my friend lost all the keys for, that would allow one turn of the ignition but no cranking. i suspected a steering column fault but the problem was the key that had been made by the mobile locksmith wasn't properly paired to the ignition. If i disconnected the steering column and reconnected it, after a few seconds, i would feel a click as the ignition barrel released the key to turn but that was it, no cranking but all the lights. Turn it off and it wouldn't turn on again.
it had to go to the main dealer as it iwas a cross over year from BMW to jag and had the later immobiliser that couldn't have a new key programmed without an existing working one. Yours is earlier so all BMW electronics. My faultmate would talk to it but it costs about £110 to change the license to a new vehicle and back again.
My Allcomms would talk to it without any trouble though but cannot program the immobiliser link but would read the fault, where in London are you ?
Have you had the key apart at all to change the battery ?
 
Last edited:
You might want to try this, this is from a BMW forum.
i think the interface may be the transponder ring that detects the key chip, if that was faulty, the steering column would also behave like yours.

There's a simple and effective way to test the EWS.

Open drivers door window, close and lock the car from outside with the remote and lean in and pull the interior door handle twice to check it's deadlocked(cannot open door) I you can repeat and try again.

Now door won't open pulling the interior handle insert the key into the ignition and turn on, one of two things will happen.

If the EWS is functioning properly the alarm will beep twice and the deadlocks will release so when you try interior handle again the door will open, the alarm assumes that if there is a correct EWS signal then the correct key has been used and will over-ride the alarm incase of remote failure!

If the EWS is not functioning properly, when the ignition is turned on the alarm will sound constantly and the deadlocks will not release.
Hope that helps!
 
I’ve had the key apart numerous times to change the battery and over the years had no problems with anything in that department.
It was on the fault list to look at but now was resided that the ECU on the steering column was kaput!
I’m based in NW London....
 
ok, as long as you didn't have the key apart just before is stopped working as the little chip can just fall out which is great !
I'm nearer south east london in kent so the wrong side, if you were close enough i would have plugged my allcomms into it for you but i don't get around that way really.
 
Thanks guys, I really wouldn’t know who to call out to have a look and not cost an arm and leg, for something that might be a dead duck!
 
I have to go to Bucks in a week or two, if you still have it I could potentially plug it in if the timings are right
 
Thank you, chances are it will still be in my driveway for the next few weeks, I’ll reimburse you for your time of course, really appreciated for the offer of help.
 
ok, i'll let you know when i'm coming around that way, the allcomms is limited in what it can do but at least it may give us a better idea of what is going on.
 
I’ve sent you a PM about your postcode, if you are too far into London I may not be able to get to you in time when I’m around that way
 
A couple of questions
Is the old steering column back in now?

Have you checked battery voltage?

Did you do anything to it before it stopped working as in disconnect battery, was it working one day and the stopped the next?

Have you got two keys and have you tried both?

Is it parked in a position where it could be jump started from another vehicle ?

I think that will do for now.. :)
 
Cool, thanks, i'll see what time I get away and just depends on whether i need to go anywhere after I have been to Bucklandshire :)
 
holidaychicken said:
A couple of questions
Is the old steering column back in now?

Have you checked battery voltage?
Yes, put a new fully charged battery in when doing the column swap a few weeks ago

Did you do anything to it before it stopped working as in disconnect battery, was it working one day and the stopped the next?
Just parked it on drive and next day the dreaded non turn of key

Have you got two keys and have you tried both?
Only one key

Is it parked in a position where it could be jump started from another vehicle ?
Yes

I think that will do for now.. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
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