Help please - I'm at my wits end!

[technicalfoamboy]

I need some help from you guys please.

My car - BMW E46 convertible facelift Jan 2004 330ci automatic

Since jump starting due to a dead car battery my remote central locking no longer works using key fob. Car does not respond to remote key at all.

Things checked so far are:

1. Key fob transmitting signal OK (confirmed by dealer)
2. Key fob cannot be programmed (using key in ignition whilst holding open button, turn key to position 1 etc)
3. Central locking works fine with key in drivers door (open and lock)
4. Central locking works fine using internal console button
5. *No fault codes
6. No fault codes in cluster
7. Car battery replaced with new battery
8. Instrument reset / check via ODB hidden service menu works fine
9. Fuses changed / tested (10, 34, 43)
10. Car starts / drives no problems.
11. Folding roof is OK
12 I have no other symptoms other than remote key not working

2nd issue:

• Since a visit to BMW dealer who conducted a quick check (fuses, tried to programme key fob etc) my ODB connector does not connect using DISv5.7 or INPA on my laptop. I get an error:

The diagnosis connection is not OK!
No voltage is applied at terminal 15 or U-batt is less than 9 Volt.
Automatic vehicle indentification is terminated!

I think my car battery is fine as the hidden settings menu in cluster registers the battery at 12.6v or around 14v with engine running.

Not sure if the above communication error is related to my remote key fob situation as it had worked previously with no issues. However, the only thing I can think of is that I may have damaged the OBD USB cable somehow?

Any help will be gratefully appreciated

Thank you

Lee

[Ozone]

Have you tried this below to re-program the key?

https://itstillruns.com/program-bmw-e46-key-763154...

[Elliot2000]

Obd not working is probably due to a blown fuse - check fuse 43 and 30.

That’s not how u code a 2004 diamond key - google it - it might take you a few tries.

[technicalfoamboy]

Ozone said:

Have you tried this below to re-program the key?

https://itstillruns.com/program-bmw-e46-key-763154...

yes I have tried this and so did the dealer

[technicalfoamboy]

Elliot2000 said:

Obd not working is probably due to a blown fuse - check fuse 43 and 30.

That’s not how u code a 2004 diamond key - google it - it might take you a few tries.

checked those fuses and so did the dealer. Also dealer tried to programme both keys and didn't work

[twokcc]

Water getting in somewhere ? Very long shot

Had a Merc some yearss ago and in heavy rain engine cut out completely, into dealer 2 or 3 times replaced loads of bits but still did it in heavy rain.

Got a crack in windscreen and insurance replace it at my home, fitters first comment was that screen had been replaced before(before I owned it) and had a very small break in windscreen sealer in bottom corner driver side so electrics shorted out in rain.
Just thinking more likely in a convertible

[technicalfoamboy]

twokcc said:

Water getting in somewhere ? Very long shot

Had a Merc some yearss ago and in heavy rain engine cut out completely, into dealer 2 or 3 times replaced loads of bits but still did it in heavy rain.

Got a crack in windscreen and insurance replace it at my home, fitters first comment was that screen had been replaced before(before I owned it) and had a very small break in windscreen sealer in bottom corner driver side so electrics shorted out in rain.
Just thinking more likely in a convertible

Wouldn't rule it out but I've checked all over and didn't notice moisture / dampness anywhere.

The key fob central locking issue only started after jump starting car so wondering if there is a module/fuse issue somewhere but i've checked / replaced the recommended fuses.

[twokcc]

Couple of threads here that may help, you found as seems from your first post that the car is not receiving signal from key

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/35201-remote-ce...

https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/threads/2003-e46-32...

[technicalfoamboy]

twokcc said:

Couple of threads here that may help, you found as seems from your first post that the car is not receiving signal from key

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/35201-remote-ce...

https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/threads/2003-e46-32...

Thanks for the links, some useful information.

Overnight I couldn't stop thinking of how the OBDII port has suddenly "lost power". Very strange.

[technicalfoamboy]

So, I'm afraid I've had to bite the bullet and I've dropped it off at my local BMW dealership for them to take a look.

To recap, flat battery followed by a jump start I noticed the key fob remote central locking not working, OBC button on turn signal not cycling through presets and possibly no or not enough voltage detected at terminal 15 of OBD2 port (my DIS not connecting to car).

Signed off an intial 60 mins worth of diagnostics and we'll go from there!

[tonymor]

When you jump started did you try disconnecting the battery then re connecting to see if it would re boot?

[technicalfoamboy]

tonymor said:

When you jump started did you try disconnecting the battery then re connecting to see if it would re boot?

Thanks Tonymor for the suggestion. Yes, I've had the negative terminal terminal off for at least 30-60 mins three maybe four times with no luck.

[technicalfoamboy]

Received a phone call from the dealer later yesterday informing me that they had not found the fault during the intial 60 minutes allocated and requested another 60 minutes, to which I agreed.

Not looking good is it?!

[smn159]

technicalfoamboy said:

Received a phone call from the dealer later yesterday informing me that they had not found the fault during the intial 60 minutes allocated and requested another 60 minutes, to which I agreed.

Not looking good is it?!

That sort of thing annoys me, when they're asking you to pay more for their inability to diagnose something.

Hope it gets sorted.

[motco]

My late model Z3 (E36) had a flat battery and I put it on charge and whilst charging I switched the ignition on to check the radio code was still there. It was, but after finishing charging the only instrument to work was the speedo and that was under-reading drastically. No tacho, no fuel gauge, no temperature gauge, and no odometer. A replacement of the coding plug in the instrument binnacle fixed it, but the point of telling you this is that flat batteries on BMWs seem to do all sorts of harm. Good luck!

[technicalfoamboy]

smn159 said:

That sort of thing annoys me, when they're asking you to pay more for their inability to diagnose something.

Hope it gets sorted.

Thanks

[technicalfoamboy]

motco said:

My late model Z3 (E36) had a flat battery and I put it on charge and whilst charging I switched the ignition on to check the radio code was still there. It was, but after finishing charging the only instrument to work was the speedo and that was under-reading drastically. No tacho, no fuel gauge, no temperature gauge, and no odometer. A replacement of the coding plug in the instrument binnacle fixed it, but the point of telling you this is that flat batteries on BMWs seem to do all sorts of harm. Good luck!

Thanks motco for the information.

When you say "coding plug", what is that referring to please?

[motco]

technicalfoamboy said:

motco said:

My late model Z3 (E36) had a flat battery and I put it on charge and whilst charging I switched the ignition on to check the radio code was still there. It was, but after finishing charging the only instrument to work was the speedo and that was under-reading drastically. No tacho, no fuel gauge, no temperature gauge, and no odometer. A replacement of the coding plug in the instrument binnacle fixed it, but the point of telling you this is that flat batteries on BMWs seem to do all sorts of harm. Good luck!

Thanks motco for the information.

When you say "coding plug", what is that referring to please?

It is a component located in the instrument cluster which contains data on the ID of the car, its mileage, etc. Unlikely to be relevant to your problem but not impossible. Even the light switch in some models contains mileage data. You need to find a technician who really knows his stuff, not just a spoon-fed uninterested individual. If you are anywhere near Amersham then Phil Crouch at CPC Performance is a very knowledgeable chap. CPC

Edited by motco on Tuesday 18th August 11:00

[technicalfoamboy]

motco said:

It is a component located in the instrument cluster which contains data on the ID of the car, its mileage, etc. Unlikely to be relevant to your problem but not impossible. Even the light switch in some models contains mileage data. You need to find a technician who really knows his stuff, not just a spoon-fed uninterested individual. If you are anywhere near Amersham then Phil Crouch at CPC Performance is a very knowledgeable chap. CPC

Edited by motco on Tuesday 18th August 11:00

Thanks for the clarification

[technicalfoamboy]

UPDATE #2

Apparently they have been working on the car and gone over quite a bit of checking. They seem to think that the root cause may be the GM5 module but cannot give me a price due to their parts computer systems thingy jig been down at the moment and will call back soon with a price. They say then can fit a new module and check to see if that cures all of my issues (remote central locking, BC computer button and OBD2 port - anyone car to comment please?).

I am aware however of getting my GM5 module repaired instead of being replaced as this is a much cheaper option I presume.

Just so I have a price in mind, does anyone know roughly what a repair will cost me and a recommendation of a repair place near Northamptonshire? (I want to drive my car there personally)

TIA