G'day from Sydney. I drive a 2005 120i and I can't work out how to use the ignition key. If I leave it in the ignition, it falls out when I hit a bump. The motor keeps going okay, but the damn key falls on the floor and slides under the seat and is a pain in the ##### to get out. I sometimes remember to drop the key into the drinks holder after startup - but not very often. My service centre says it's the clips inside the ignition unit that have worn out, but that it'll cost $500 to replace the whole ignition unit. So maybe you guys can help me by describing in detail exactly how you use the key:

1. Do you leave it in the ignition after startup?

2. Do you start up and then drop it in your pocket?

3. When you park the car, do you leave the ignition on and take the key with you?

4. If I leave the ignition on, and do some shopping, I come back and have to reignite the ignition with the key despite the manual indicating I don't have to: that the sensor detects the key and allows button start.

I'd appreciate some guidance.

Cheers: tunners

Welcome to BMWOC :)

im sure somebody will be along soon with an answer

No idea sorry! Welcome to the club though..

Does the barrel have to be turned? If yes then the small brass-slides/holding-spring have failed...

Is the car actually a "button-start" ? If Yes AND you don't need to manually turn the barrel, then keep yer keys in yer pocket !!

Does the barrel have to be turned? If yes then the small brass-slides/holding-spring have failed...

Is the car actually a "button-start" ? If Yes AND you don't need to manually turn the barrel, then keep yer keys in yer pocket !!

+1 Welcome to the forum

Thanks for responding, guys. Yes, Dabsy, it's a button start, and the manual says I don't need to use the key to turn on or off the ignition every time, and that the car will detect the key in my pocket, and that all I have to do is open the door with the key/remote, sit down, depress the foot brake, and press the start button. But when I do that I find it will not start until I use the key/remote to trigger the ignition - and then depress the foot brake and press the start button - then remove the key/remote from the dashboard (otherwise it falls out on the floor when I drive off). The engine runs fine without the key in the ignition. I can't work out what I'm doing wrong. I drive to my destination, switch off the engine using the start button, get out of the car and lock it with the key/remote, do my stuff, come back, open the doors with the key remote, sit down, depress the brake and press the start button.....ziltch! No sign of life until I plug the key/remote back in. It's driving me batshit.

Could be worth taking to an auto electrician, cheaper than main dealer, possibly a wire not connected up properly between the start button and the ignition, good luck

Thanks. Will someone who drives a button start BMW please describe to me exactly, step by step, his/her procedure used to start the car?

What do you do when approaching your locked car?

What do you do to start the car?

What do you do immediately after starting the car? Do you leave the ignition key in the slot?

What do you do to switch off the engine?

What do you do when leaving and locking the car?