BMW key charging

[tomvleeuwen]

The BMW diamond shaped key is charged in the ignition slot, but how do you charge it if you don't want to use the car?
Is there a special tool? I don't want to open the key, since it never looks good after it has been opened.

Even new dealer keys come with empty batteries once in a while, and I can't send the customer away without teaching in the remote.

[p1et]

Miraclone can charge it using it's own coil but it's not even worth to try... Every self charhing battery have itself expire date, same for car battery. So ff that battery start to failing, then just replace with new Panasonic battery and change key shell. Personally, because of this problem, I stock only chinese keys with standard batteries...

[tomvleeuwen]

It's not a stock key, its a dealer key ordered on VIN.
I'm not going to open a brand new € 125,- dealer key to replace the battery. Before you ask, the dealer won't take it back unless it still doesn't work after driving with it for a week, but the customer won't like it.

I was looking for a more cost-effective solution anyway, but apparently it's not so common. Maybe I'll make my own.

[Gavra]

use toothbrush charger......

[doolittle]

Tango has this charging function

[tomvleeuwen]

use toothbrush charger......

Toothbrush charger works at 20kHz, key at 125kHz. I think the youtube video is a hoax, it never worked for me.

[dijo]

ZedBull also able to charge this Key...

[Cr4nky]

As already said, most transponder machines have this function. If you don't have one, then you could use reader coil off a car and rig up on bench to do it.

[AleXPaiN]

gambit also able to charge

[tomvleeuwen]

Thanks for all the replies, I think Gambit is the most cost-effective solution. Making a rig myself is certainly possible but a Gambit is very cheap.