help with an issue for e36

[bmw9818]

recently bought a compact e36 having a problem with the ignition key / barrel,

basically i have two keys one main one with the bmw logo and light, and what seems to be a spare ignition key,

with the main one i turn the key and it just turns in the barrel but i cant feel the clicking like you get with the positions 1 2 e.t.c and no lights come up at all, with the spare it turns the barrel and you can feel it click and it activates all lights and starts the car andthat,

its real confusing cause both keys are exactly the same i looked at both carefully & exact replicas,

does it have a chip inside or somethin?

its my first e36 in my life so im not too sure,

thanks

[leeparkes]

Does the spare key look like this?



Yes it will have a chip in it.

[bmw9818]

yep thats the one, so how come the other key isnt working?...

how would it get the chip replaced,

[nickso]

take it to BMW to get a new chip put in it if you think thats the fault. you will need to take the V5 and some ID, passport or photo licence is best.

[harry_p]

surely the clicks and ignition positions are pysically controlled by the key in the barrel, the chip only deactivates the immobilisor doesnt it?

i have heard that the spinning barrel is quite common on e36s, maybe the one key is slightly more worn than the other?

i don't know how difficult it is but would it be worth removing the barrel and giving it a good clean out?

[mr_dink]

if the key just spins round and round with no clicks its normally the barrel thats worn but its very strange that one key is doing it but not the other. Does the key that doesnt work look more worn than the other?

To remove the barrel you need to insert the key, turn to position 1 and insert a length of thin stiff wire into the hole in the barrel. It should then just pull out. Easier said than done though, I was waggling away for about an hour to get it out!

I just had to change one on a compact for this exact reason (although we only had 1 key but it was turning without clicking as described), £52 from BMW for a new lock barrel coded to your key.

[Wocka]

You need a new barrel, it's an anti theft thing to stop you starting it with a screwdriver.
BMW will order you one, you need to take your v5c and I'd with you.

There's loads of info about changing it on e36coupe.com

[bmw9818]

It looks the same I can see one point which looks a bit worn, but not that much I shimmy ed the key around it clicked first position then just span around? And the radio turned off, might just get a new barrel