[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by saijin

Hi guys,

So my 2007 328xi Key buttons kinda stopped working.
Sometimes they lock and unlock, but most of the time I have to use the metal key.

Bought a new battery, soldered it on and still the same thing.

Just wondering what my options are, need your help in this.


1. Would I be able to fix it myself with your help?

2. I bought a CAS3 aftermarket key from amazon for $18 . People said
it's junk... is it true?

G

3. If I need someone to do it for me, is there any in Colorado?

Thanlks!

Go to the autoparts store and test the key with a IR blaster.

[saijin]

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Even after battery replacement.

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by saijin

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Even after battery replacement.

I would try removing the logic chip off the pcb and soldering it onto a donor key.

[nsjames]

open the fob.

clean the membrane and contacts with alcohol or contact cleaner.
reassemble.

[saijin]

Do you know where I can get a cheap donor key?

How about getting a cheap aftermarket key and get it programmed somewhere?

[Nickco43]

I dropped $1000 on the latest BMW key programming tool from Xhorse. I want to do a complete DIY comfort access retrofit on my 330XI and replace the water damaged keys on my black car before I sell it. I might make a limited run of replacement keys for people to help pay off the tool. Apparently this tool will do DMEs, transmissions, E and F series keys and a lot of other things which is pretty cool. It is a step up from the BMW Multi Tool that I had originally.

[DennisLJacob]

Hi Nick, what is needed to make and program a replacement CA key? Do I need to buy a used OEM key fob off of eBay or will a new made in China CA key fob work as well? I'll need a blank key insert. Where did you find the plastic emergency key? Will it fit the holder, mine is missing, that normally goes in the glovebox?

An eBay seller - keylesscanada has both oem used fobs and new china fobs. Not sure if I should buy either of them. They come with new batteries and blank key inserts for about $50/key fob.

Thanks for your input and this thread. This is a new car for me and it only has one key fob. It's a e64 from '08.

[gspinks11]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

I dropped $1000 on the latest BMW key programming tool from Xhorse. I want to do a complete DIY comfort access retrofit on my 330XI and replace the water damaged keys on my black car before I sell it. I might make a limited run of replacement keys for people to help pay off the tool. Apparently this tool will do DMEs, transmissions, E and F series keys and a lot of other things which is pretty cool. It is a step up from the BMW Multi Tool that I had originally.

how did you make out with this?

I'd be interested in sending you a blank key and pay for the service?

[chillywings]

Originally Posted by gspinks11

how did you make out with this?

I'd be interested in sending you a blank key and pay for the service?

I'm also interested.

[tmo24]

Originally Posted by chillywings

I'm also interested.

Originally Posted by chillywings

I'm also interested.

Interested as well. I just paid the stealership $370 for a non ca key yesterday 🤬🤬🤬

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

I dropped $1000 on the latest BMW key programming tool from Xhorse. I want to do a complete DIY comfort access retrofit on my 330XI and replace the water damaged keys on my black car before I sell it. I might make a limited run of replacement keys for people to help pay off the tool. Apparently this tool will do DMEs, transmissions, E and F series keys and a lot of other things which is pretty cool. It is a step up from the BMW Multi Tool that I had originally.

Any updates, did you get it working?

Does the XHorse do everything? Read CAS then program key?

[fgpalmer71]

Put me down too. I'd take 2 CA keys so I can have 3. Just tell me what I need to do! My car only came with one.....and it's eating batteries in a matter of days for some reason.

[IllSic_Design]

I really need another key, have only had 1 for 4 years. Let us know if you're offering the service and how much/what we need. Thanks

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

I really need another key, have only had 1 for 4 years. Let us know if you're offering the service and how much/what we need. Thanks

I purchased a new tool called the Yanhua ACDP which I used to clone my CAS 4+ in my F10 and it worked well. I also ordered the add on to clone DMEs and the addon to wipe used keys. The only thing I am missing is a nice key cutting mill to cut the emergency metal key.

I always envisioned a 3 day total mail in key service where I could mail someone an empty UPS overnight box with a pre-paid overnight shipping label inside and a piece of tap to seal it back up again. That way the end user is faced with zero hassle to overnight me their CAS. I would then program new keys the same day and then overnight them back their CAS so that had it the next day.

A bunch of people on eBay offer key programing but by the time you mail them your CAS with the post office it could be over a week turn around time. Then again overnighting something three times from PA to CA would be $100 in shipping fees alone.

Anyway I am not against the idea of making a key for you, I just want to play around with my new tool some more before I start breaking things (especially someone else's CAS).

[fgpalmer71]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

I purchased a new tool called the Yanhua ACDP which I used to clone my CAS 4+ in my F10 and it worked well. I also ordered the add on to clone DMEs and the addon to wipe used keys. The only thing I am missing is a nice key cutting mill to cut the emergency metal key.

I always envisioned a 3 day total mail in key service where I could mail someone an empty UPS overnight box with a pre-paid overnight shipping label inside and a piece of tap to seal it back up again. That way the end user is faced with zero hassle to overnight me their CAS. I would then program new keys the same day and then overnight them back their CAS so that had it the next day.

A bunch of people on eBay offer key programing but by the time you mail them your CAS with the post office it could be over a week turn around time. Then again overnighting something three times from PA to CA would be $100 in shipping fees alone.

Anyway I am not against the idea of making a key for you, I just want to play around with my new tool some more before I start breaking things (especially someone else's CAS).

Take your time and perfect your craft! I'm ready when you are....

[spsinha]

I would love an extra Key for my 2008 335xi with CA. Let me know if you can make me one too. I can send you whatever you need.

[djbmw1]

Reviving an old thread to provide information.

Programming a key to your BMW's CAS will cost you money, regardless if you DIY or pay someone to do it. Nick has chosen to purchase genuine tools of good quality after initially messing around with some Chinese ones. However, there are tools for you to DIY which run in the $200 range for chinese clones and the process takes 15 min.

1: It's FAR easier to program a virgin key than a 'used key'. Virgin keys (chinese) are $15 USD on Aliexpress or from a key wholesaler.

2: A used key will need to either have the transponder de-soldered and a new one soldered in ($4 per transponder chip) OR you can purchase a PCF79xx Unlocker, or Xhorse VVDI PROG Programmer, and fiddle around with that to erase the data from the transponder. As you can see, you're better off buying a virgin key!!!

3: You can use HiTag2 to use prep the key and create a 'new key' file for use in BMW Explorer/EF Scanner Full OR used to write data back to the key if you've done a CAS dump and have the ISN key.

4: With a battery tender/charger on your car, use EF Scanner to program the new key to the CAS.

Here's how:

[fgpalmer71]

Thanks for the update.

I know it's going to cost some money, I'm just interested in all options that aren't the ridiculous amount that ths dealership here is charging.

I can't see myself ever needing this equipment beyond the one time so I'm hesitant to drop the money to have the equipment. I don't see myself doing keys on the side. I'm more inclined to pay Nick as opposed to the DIY. If I can't wait any longer I might give it a go though. Thanks again!

[gorbats]

Hello everybody!
I just tried to program new CA key for my e93 cas3+ but engine wont start.

So what I did:

• bought new CA key from aliexpress (it was told pcf7952, but I received pcf7953)

• successfully read cas3+ eeprom with r270

• hitag2 v3.1 read key as pcf7945, so I pressed key maker, chose eeprom file, key position and received "key is not supported". But anyway I pressed write.

• After that I controlled eeprom, it has new key sn, hi/lo crypto on right key position.

• So I wrote eeprom back to cas, put cas back to car.

Everything seems to be ok but new key can open cars remotely, but wont start engine, even no ignition or radio. I mean when I put key in slot nothing happens. Old key still works fine.
ista-d and inpa have no errors related to new key. Also I cant make cas/dme sync because cas3+ (ews4) does not support this option.

Is the problem in key? Maybe cas3+ does not support pcf7953? Or maybe I just need to press cas reset

[Casca]

Originally Posted by djbmw1

Reviving an old thread to provide information.


Programming a key to your BMW's CAS will cost you money, regardless if you DIY or pay someone to do it.

.......

[/url]

Seriously considered going this route, minus getting the key cutter. Going with the blue "newest" 2018 BMW explorer clone ($150 for cheapest) would cost a total of close to $300. My car is 2006 and I've had it since 2008 and know it's never been flashed for newer firmware since in my possession so the older 2013 BMW explorer ($85 ECUCAR) should be fine and so the cost would be @$230 or so to be able to make multiple keys (no key cutting).

Decided to see how much it'd cost to get a locksmith to make me one, got quoted $260 total for a non-CA FOB and went with that. For some reason there is tax, so the actual total was $285 (I didn't do the math, just paid). The FOB looks to be some sub $20 FOB from Aliexpress and is not rechargeable. I was expecting it to be a better quality FOB, which makes me worry that it won't last long.

Honestly if I had to do it over again I'd get the Hitag2 and BMW explorer clone 2013 firmware and do it myself so I can make more than 1 for that price. Also, if you look at the 2013 BMW explorer and don't see the "dongle" and are assuming the ball looking thing with a chain is some kinda weird gift...that ball is actually the USB "dongle".

Or I'd pay $311 and go through BMW nav
https://store.bimmernav.com/collecti...nt=36479239500 and get an actual BMW OEM FOB

[chance91]

Bumping this up, is anyone doing this key programing for members still?

[robi335i]

Originally Posted by djbmw1

Reviving an old thread to provide information.

Programming a key to your BMW's CAS will cost you money, regardless if you DIY or pay someone to do it. Nick has chosen to purchase genuine tools of good quality after initially messing around with some Chinese ones. However, there are tools for you to DIY which run in the $200 range for chinese clones and the process takes 15 min.

1: It's FAR easier to program a virgin key than a 'used key'. Virgin keys (chinese) are $15 USD on Aliexpress or from a key wholesaler.

2: A used key will need to either have the transponder de-soldered and a new one soldered in ($4 per transponder chip) OR you can purchase a PCF79xx Unlocker, or Xhorse VVDI PROG Programmer, and fiddle around with that to erase the data from the transponder. As you can see, you're better off buying a virgin key!!!

3: You can use HiTag2 to use prep the key and create a 'new key' file for use in BMW Explorer/EF Scanner Full OR used to write data back to the key if you've done a CAS dump and have the ISN key.

4: With a battery tender/charger on your car, use EF Scanner to program the new key to the CAS.

Here's how:

Do you program keys for customers?