[greyguy1]

Hi guys,

I bought an 06 330xi a couple months ago.

The car came with 2 keys, one that works, one that shows the diagonal slash key icon.

After reading I found out my primary key is a regular key and the second key is a Comfort Access key. The battery in the CA key is likely dead, so I'll pick up a new one tomorrow.

Since I won't have a new battery until tomorrow I'm curious to know how to check if my car has CA.

I don't have the ridges on the top of my door handles.

I bought the car from a dealership and I appear to be the second owner. Just curious how likely it would be the previous owner would have retrofitted CA, or if there's an explanation for why one key has the rechargeable battery and not the other.

For all I know the previous owner could have had 2 BMW's and just turned in the wrong 2nd key at trade-in.

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by greyguy1

Hi guys,

I bought an 06 330xi a couple months ago.

The car came with 2 keys, one that works, one that shows the diagonal slash key icon.

After reading I found out my primary key is a regular key and the second key is a Comfort Access key. The battery in the CA key is likely dead, so I'll pick up a new one tomorrow.

Since I won't have a new battery until tomorrow I'm curious to know how to check if my car has CA.

I don't have the ridges on the top of my door handles.

I bought the car from a dealership and I appear to be the second owner. Just curious how likely it would be the previous owner would have retrofitted CA, or if there's an explanation for why one key has the rechargeable battery and not the other.

For all I know the previous owner could have had 2 BMW's and just turned in the wrong 2nd key at trade-in.

You can have a cheaper non CA key made for a CA car.

[greyguy1]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

You can have a cheaper non CA key made for a CA car.

Wouldn't I have the ridges on the door handles if I had CA?

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by greyguy1

Wouldn't I have the ridges on the door handles if I had CA?

oh, you must have an aftermarket non CA key.

[markybeee]

Originally Posted by greyguy1

Wouldn't I have the ridges on the door handles if I had CA?

yes, if you have CA, you should have the ridges. Also, if i recall correctly, even with a dead key battery, the vehicle should start if you hold it up to the column.

If you want, I can pull the build sheet from your VIN if you shoot me the last 7.

[pedro2u]

Don't you just need to do a VIN decode to check if it was equipped with CA?

I think it's S322A

just enter your VIN here:

https://decoder.bvzine.com/

[kolhozbrothers]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

oh, you must have an aftermarket non CA key.

He is right.
If you don't have the ridges then the key you have is an aftermarket key.
Aftermarket non CA keys have CA looking shell.

[Yngvejos]

I suspect that the dealer have mixed up the keys or that the previous owner handed in the wrong key.

I have two cars, one with CA and one without. When I put the CA key in the non-CA car I get the symbol you described.

On my CA car, the car will still start with the key in the slot even with empty battery

[greyguy1]

I took out the physical keys and they are from different cars. No CA for me! Thanks for the replies!