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Subject: Key upgrade/retrofit. Long, with pics. Broadband suggested. Author: james as JAMES. : member since November, 2004 : 821 posts Posted on: 2005-11-20 23:08:30

Read this post and related posts first:

http://bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/108988/

I needed to take some pictures for a friend so I decided to take these too.

Pic below: I used a wire gauge drill bit and a dremel to drill the holes. I used a larger drill bit to countersink and cut the relief for each screw recess. The screws are from an eyeglass repair kit.



The screws are located where there are the most "meat" in the plastic. There is not a whole lot of room to work. I split the key using a knife. I also seperated the rechargable cell using the same knife. Don't cut yourself. The key shank is affixed using black epoxy. I had to hollow out the recepticle with a dremel.



Finished product. The key blade is from a 97.



Here you can see the holes for the screws. I drilled everything free hand. After determining the locations, I drilled from the inside of the back of the key out, then I mated the two halves and used the holes as a guide to drill the front half--from the outside back into the front, then I seperated the two halves to finish drilling the front. Clearly, you have to be careful and control the depth. This is my second attempt/key as my drill went too far on the first try.



Here you can see I had to trim the inside tab a bit to clear the transponder. This does not affect the function of the key whatsoever. You will see the transponder in the next picture.



Here you can see where I mounted the transponder. I removed the original transponder. You have to put that pill in the exact orientation as shown for it to just fit and lay flat. I used a bit of RTV to tack the transponder pill (and so it can be removed later easily.



As it turns out, there is just enough pressure for the key halves to press on the battery to make a good contact. The key is perfectly reliable with better range than the old style. I chose the key with the cast buttons rather than the printed buttons because I see the printed ones rubbed off all the time.

Enjoy...

JAMES.

• Key upgrade/retrofit. Long, with pics. Broadband suggested. (pic) (url) - JAMES. 2005-11-20 23:08:30 (23093 views)
  • JAMES. (OT) What's the latest stats with the Euro 7? - JL 2005-11-21 03:04:48 (745 views)
  • I found that removing the original transponder (from the new key) is necessary.. - stygian7 2005-11-21 00:14:13 (1099 views)
    • James, Stygian7, I will need to destroy a remote to do (url) - bmw635 2005-11-21 00:49:15 (1275 views)
      • Valet key shank will work, but remember you need the transponder chip as well - itsstock 2005-11-21 18:04:08 (962 views)