BMW E36 Forum

I can't find anything at all about your key.

Have you tried the initializing procedure from the owners hand book?

"Initializing the remote control.
This is necessary, for example, after purchasing a new key. The new transmitter must be initalized before it can be used.
1. The car must have been opened with the remote control.(???not sure how that works but thats what it says)
If the car was not opened with the remote control, an interlock takes effect and initializing in not possible for a 15-minute period.
2. Enter the car and close the driver's door.
3. Turn the ignition key to position 1 (max. 5 seconds) and return to position 0.
4. Press button 1(Should be the unlock button) on the transmitter and hold. Keeping button 1 pressed, briefly press button 2 (circular locking button obviously) three times in succession within a period of 10 seconds.
5. Release button 1. The LED will flash slowly for max. 10 seconds.
6. The central locking system indicates the initialization has been performed successfully by closing and releasing the lock in rapid succession.

If the LED does not flash and the central locking system does not operate, the initialization procedure must be repeated.
If you use additional remote-control transmitters for the same car, each of them(up to four) must be initialized within a further 30 seconds (repeat steps 4 to 6), otherwise they will be de-activated."

am sorry i mean the rectangular button.. as in the one which vmz posted.. as u can see there is an arrow on the button on the left hand side of the key.. the arrows normally designate the frequency on which the key operates.. if the arrows in ur keys do not point in the same direction than one of the key (the remote locking functionality) will not operate with the car

To DG888:
No, there are no arrows like the key shown by VMZ. His rectangular button has a division down the middle where as mine does not.

To VMZ.
I have tried the procedure you posted and although I get the LED flashing (11 times) over 10 seconds after releasing button one, the central locking system does not close and release the lock. I have repeated the procedure several times but to no avail.
I initially opened the locks with the key that works and not the one I want to initialize ( obviously) followed the procedure several times with no luck. Then left it for 20minutes and tried again,again no luck. I am sure you are on the right track.Could you please check your instructions to ensure nothing has been left out as I am sure we are close to success. Many thanks for your assistance

Sorry to hear its not working for you.
I have checked what I wrote against the hand book and its all correct. After the initialization procedure it just goes on to tell you about in the even of a fault contact BMW service, at a hotel only hand over door and ignition key and that interference can be caused by other things operating on the same frequency.

Tony posted a copy of a 3 series owners manual but from memory it doesn't include the remote procedure but if you want to have a look;
http://www.bmwe36blog.com/2008/05/14/do ... n-english/