e90 key malfunction

edmd · 03-13-2009, 01:52 PM

hello everyone,
I have a 2006 325xi and I recently brought my car to a collision shop to replace a cracked windshield. When we picked the car up, the key was malfunctioning; and the collision shop states they "only removed the windshield." the problem with the key is that it will not slide into the slot. You can push it half way in with resistance, and while halfway in, push the start button to start the car and then put the key in your pocket (I do not have comfort access.) The dashboard shows a picture of a key with a line through it. this problem exists with both keys. anyone have any suggestions on what could be the problem? I have an appt with my dealership in a week, but am so PO at the collision shop now that I want to know what happened.

methodtim · 03-13-2009, 03:34 PM

Is the problem:

1) The key fob won't go all the way into the slot
2) The key fob won't stay in the slot
3) The car won't recognize the key when it's in the slot
4) All of the above

This is a stupid simple suggestion, but have to taken a look inside the slot with a flashlight to see if there's anything in there?

edmd · 03-13-2009, 03:40 PM

number 1 and 2. it goes into the slot half way, with resistance. the car recognizes the key, and starts when you push the button, but the key is not in enough to balance itself, and gets pushed out. there is nothing in the key slot. you can feel the two "prongs" on either side of the slot in the position to lock the key into place.

methodtim · 03-13-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmd

number 1 and 2. it goes into the slot half way, with resistance. the car recognizes the key, and starts when you push the button, but the key is not in enough to balance itself, and gets pushed out. there is nothing in the key slot. you can feel the two "prongs" on either side of the slot in the position to lock the key into place.

The spring may be broken. This may or may not have anything to do with your windshield work. I'd definitely take it in.

ragingclue · 03-13-2009, 03:42 PM

Is it an automatic?

edmd · 03-13-2009, 04:08 PM

yes, it is an automatic

ragingclue · 03-13-2009, 04:13 PM

They probably left the car in gear and tried to get out and take the key with them. It won't let go of it, but if you're determined enough, you can pull it out and damage the internals of the mechanism. I accidentally did this to my loaner one day.... But it wasn't permanently screwed up. It just didn't fit as snugly and as surely as before....

methodtim · 03-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragingclue

They probably left the car in gear and tried to get out and take the key with them. It won't let go of it, but if you're determined enough, you can pull it out and damage the internals of the mechanism. I accidentally did this to my loaner one day.... But it wasn't permanently screwed up. It just didn't fit as snugly and as surely as before....

Oh, that's a really theory.

edmd · 03-13-2009, 04:35 PM

That is what the dealership stated probably happened. I called the collision shop and they gave me the line, "we deal with these cars all the time, we know how to remove the key" blah blah blah

jpsum · 03-13-2009, 07:41 PM

sounds like they broke it.

03-13-2009, 01:52 PM	#1
edmd Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: black 325xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	e90 key malfunction hello everyone, I have a 2006 325xi and I recently brought my car to a collision shop to replace a cracked windshield. When we picked the car up, the key was malfunctioning; and the collision shop states they "only removed the windshield." the problem with the key is that it will not slide into the slot. You can push it half way in with resistance, and while halfway in, push the start button to start the car and then put the key in your pocket (I do not have comfort access.) The dashboard shows a picture of a key with a line through it. this problem exists with both keys. anyone have any suggestions on what could be the problem? I have an appt with my dealership in a week, but am so PO at the collision shop now that I want to know what happened.
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03-13-2009, 03:34 PM	#2
methodtim Brigadier General 374 Rep 3,883 Posts Drives: Audi RS Q8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Darkness there, and nothing more iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Audi RS Q8 [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 Toyota Tacoma [0.00]	Is the problem: 1) The key fob won't go all the way into the slot 2) The key fob won't stay in the slot 3) The car won't recognize the key when it's in the slot 4) All of the above This is a stupid simple suggestion, but have to taken a look inside the slot with a flashlight to see if there's anything in there? __________________
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03-13-2009, 03:40 PM	#3
edmd Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: black 325xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	number 1 and 2. it goes into the slot half way, with resistance. the car recognizes the key, and starts when you push the button, but the key is not in enough to balance itself, and gets pushed out. there is nothing in the key slot. you can feel the two "prongs" on either side of the slot in the position to lock the key into place.
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03-13-2009, 03:42 PM	#5
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	Is it an automatic?
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03-13-2009, 04:08 PM	#6
edmd Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: black 325xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	yes, it is an automatic
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03-13-2009, 04:13 PM	#7
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	They probably left the car in gear and tried to get out and take the key with them. It won't let go of it, but if you're determined enough, you can pull it out and damage the internals of the mechanism. I accidentally did this to my loaner one day.... But it wasn't permanently screwed up. It just didn't fit as snugly and as surely as before....
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03-13-2009, 04:35 PM	#9
edmd Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: black 325xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	That is what the dealership stated probably happened. I called the collision shop and they gave me the line, "we deal with these cars all the time, we know how to remove the key" blah blah blah
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03-13-2009, 07:41 PM	#10
jpsum Major 274 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 2010 TSX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Haven area iTrader: (4)	sounds like they broke it.
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