RCL not working help!!!!!

[pikey]

My remote central locking isn't working on my 318is coupe (1997).

am hoping that i just need to reconnect the fob with the car but cant find out how to do this.

Can anyone help? Does anyone know how?

[marti5]

Are you sure its not just the battery in the fob.

[pikey]

ya battery in fob fine

[marti5]

Oh, just seems strange why the transponder would disconnect itself from the car, have you just changed the batt in the fob?, so when you lock the car manually does the alarm activate ? also how may buttons do you have on the fob.

[pikey]

only just bought car previous owner changed battery and never reconnected fob alarm does NOT activate when i lock car with key fob has 1 red button and 1 grey button also i have a key for alarm module under bonnet behind L/H headlight ( it is turned on )

[marti5]

I only know how to do it with a 3 pad key, but you could try this......

First step, get in the car and close all doors. Insert key 1 into the ignition, and turn it to the first position, then immediately off and remove the key. While holding down the unlock button, and quickly press the lock button 3 times, then release both buttons. The locks in your car should cycle to indicate that it was succesfully initialized. Once you do the first key, repeat the underlined portion of the process for the rest of the keys.

[pikey]

OK I just tried that and no joy is there anything i can check to see if there a fault in the system?

[marti5]

Just check that the transponder is in the fob, its a little rectangular black box, I have heard of people whom have changed the fob battery and this has fallen out.....

[marti5]

This information is on KWIK 540: 1998 540i 6 speed "Kwik540" 1998 BMW 5-Series - Spartanburg, SC also.
My keys stopped working remotely for my door locks/alarm. This is what I did!
- The key Re-initialize process.

If a key fails to operate remotely, it will have to be re-initialized (all keys in sequence at the same time)

1. Get in and “close all doors”
2. Turn ignition on & off quickly (no more than 5 seconds) to start the process. When turning the ignition on & off it's not necessary to start the engine. The next action must take place within 30 seconds.
3. First key - hold down button #2 (unlock button) while pressing button #1 (lock button) three times. Release all buttons. All doors should lock and unlock on their own 1 time.
4. Immediately do the same thing with the other remote(s) within 30 seconds of the previous remote.
5. After all remotes have been done, turn the ignition on & off quickly again to finalize the process. When turning the ignition on & off it's not necessary to start the engine.

This process has to be done when you purchase a new key, the keys loose sync with the car, your battery dies in the remote, or when changing the remote battery and it takes longer than 10 seconds to do so.

[pikey]

Ya transponder there

[pikey]

that re-initialize sequence does not seem to work with my system, i think that maybe it is not a BMW factory fit system.

[marti5]

have you tried post #11,also:
Alternate Procedure:

1. Switch ignition on and off within 5 seconds, with all doors closed.

2. Take key out of ignition and press unlock button. Hold unlock button whilst pressing the lock button 3 times, all within 10 seconds.

3. Release unlock button.

4. The system recognises re-programming by locking and immediately unlocking the doors.

5. You have to do your other keys within 30 seconds after reprogramming your first key by following steps 2,3 & 4 only.


Alternate procedure if above doesn't work or if you do not have a working remote:

1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly
2. Remove key
3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.
4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds
5. Turn on ignition to finalize

Older 3 Button Key (E36, E38, E39)

Remote Key Re-Initialise - If a key fails to operate remotely, it will have to be re-initialised (all keys in sequence at the same time)

1. Get in and close all doors
2. Turn the ignition on & off quickly (no more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds
3. First key - hold down button #2 (unlock - on the bottom left with the key blade pointing up) while striking button #1 (lock - the BMW logo) three times. Release button #2. This should be confirmed by door lock operation.
4. If you have more than 1 key then you need to repeat for the other keys within 30 seconds of first or they will be rendered inactive.
5. After last key then cycle the ignition on/off to finalise the process (it is not necessary to start the engine).

Both keys should now have new randomly selected security code words - assigned by the car's system.
Those codes will be continuously incremented within the new sequence each time you hit a button. It is when they get out of sequence with the car that they loose the capability to be recognised and you then have to do this again.

This occurs when you take longer than 1 minute changing the battery, or if you hit the buttons more than 1000 times when it is out of range of the car.

If none of these work it has to be the fob battery or a fuse.

[marti5]

Originally Posted by pikey

that re-initialize sequence does not seem to work with my system, i think that maybe it is not a BMW factory fit system.

Oh!, if its not a BMW fitted system....then its like looking for a needle in a haystack, the next step would be to call an auto electrician or find the name of the alarm system fitted and ask the company.

[pikey]

None of the sequences are working for me where would i find the fuse?

I don't know if it is standard or not as reading through forums there are other people who have same system but the buttons are not on the key it is a separate fob.

[marti5]

Fuse #'s 31,34,43 and 47 control the alarm system fuse#47 is under the glove box. this will make it easier or you:

BMW E36 Fuse Box / Relay Layout | BMW E36 Blog

Scroll down to the 318 diagram section if you then click on a pic it will open another window with the pic enlarged.