Is the keyless go ignition button programed?

[ASnowman]

If you remove it for security reasons.
Will any new keyless go ignition button work without being programed?
Reason for asking is if the trend of electronic key copying is getting a big issue.

 

[daveenty]

I seem to remember trying this with Developer Johns when he went to buy it. I'm sure we tried mine in his and it wouldn't work.

Logically it couldn't do, but strange things can happen as you know.

 

[ASnowman]

I seem to remember trying this with Developer Johns when he went to buy it. I'm sure we tried mine in his and it wouldn't work.

Logically it couldn't do, but strange things can happen as you know.

Hehe, yes hacking make all kind of strange things happen
See them for sale on Ebay, Lets hope they must be loaded with codes from MB before usage

Mayby somebody here knows for sure.

 

[Peter DLM]

They're all the same. Can swap them around, this I know as my car was missing it's button so I found a spare one in the dealership and popped it in. It started just fine.

There is a section in the manual that covers this. There wouldn't be any reason why this should be restricted as it has no bearing on security. It doesn't read the key or anything like that.

 

[ASnowman]

They're all the same. Can swap them around, this I know as my car was missing it's button so I found a spare one in the dealership and popped it in. It started just fine.

There is a section in the manual that covers this. There wouldn't be any reason why this should be restricted as it has no bearing on security. It doesn't read the key or anything like that.

They could make it “smart” and demand it to be in place to use keyless start though.
Pair it with car/key.
So if removed you would need to reinsert it or use key that fits in keyhole with right coding.
But that does not seem to be the case then.

Remember my E60 BMW charged the key while inserted, the push button could get its power in the same way.

But, anyways. Thanks a lot for info.

 

[Jay2512]

Surely for the button to work the key must be detected in the vehicle?

To even turn the ignition on in my GLC I pretty much have to get in the car with the key in my pocket.

 

[Blinked]

Swapped my gear nob with new button . Not programmed and works fine.

 

[ASnowman]

Surely for the button to work the key must be detected in the vehicle?

To get the car started up, you would need some device sending the right signal to the car.
There is more and more work done to copy the signals your original key sends, to reuse that signal to open and start your car.
For now, this equipment is not expensive, but need know how.
In just a few years, this could be off the shelf products on the internet.
That is why I am asking.
Just now, it is a question of time and skills.
Automation of this might be the future.

 

[gl boy]

No , I can swap my buttons from car to car , their not generic ,it's only the key , the button just does the operation as the switch

 

[JBD]

They're all the same