Ignition Key Codes
 

The other day when trying to open my 1997 323i the alarm was activated. I tried all that I could, press lock and unlock a few times to no avail. In desperation I opened the door with the key, inserted the key in the ignition and started the car.

the alarm stopped and I drove away. Directly after this episode I could not unlock or lock the car with the remote but It started with no problems. After this episode I tried the spare key but it too did the same, that is, nothing wrong with the keys. So I used the key to lock/unlock for approximately 2 months until I got fed up and decided that I needed to re-code it in order to make it fully functional again.

I followed the manual's instaructions and, hey presto, the doors locked and unlocked themselves and the key light flashed for 10 secs. Problem resolved or so I thought until I tried to start the car.

All the various lights came on and off and I cranked, and cranked, and cranked .... my car starts with a flick, i.e. instantaneously but now no go. The smell of petrol indicated that I had flooded it (first time in 9 years) so I removed the s/plugs, all wet, dried them and tried again to no avail. I cannot start my car.

Moral of the story. If it goes leave it well alone.

Have I accidentally changed the code between the box and the keys? If so, can i fix it myself or am I at the mercy of the agents who are quoting for new keys at approx R 2 800.00 Can anyone help?