BMW 1 Series Key Sensor Failure Stopping You Cold?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2014 BMW 3 Series 320d last year. The key symbol appeared and the car wouldn't start. Initially thought it was just a dead key fob battery, but the diagnostic showed it was more serious. In my case, the EWS (Electronic immobilizer) control module was defective, and it wasn't reading the key signal properly. The Hall sensor problem you're describing is often connected to this system. Had to get the control unit replaced and the new key programmed to sync with the car. The repair took about 4 hours at the shop. It's not something you can fix yourself as it requires special BMW programming equipment. This was actually a serious issue since it's related to the car's security system, without fixing it, the car just won't start, period. I'd suggest finding a certified BMW specialist rather than a general mechanic for this kind of electronic issue. They'll have the right diagnostic tools and know-how to handle it properly. Hope this helps with your decision.

Hey! Thanks for sharing your experience with the EWS module issue. Your situation sounds exactly like what I'm going through! Just wondering, do you remember how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks with the key system? Cheers!

Hey again! Glad to help follow up! Actually, I just got my car back from the mechanic last week after dealing with this exact issue. The total repair came to 1000 € to fix the affected control unit that was causing the Hall sensor problem in the key. Not gonna lie, it wasn't cheap, but at least it got the job done right. Since the repair, everything's been working perfectly, no more annoying key symbol on the dash, and the car starts up every single time without any drama. Really happy I went ahead and got it fixed by a proper specialist. It's one of those things where you just have to bite the bullet and pay to get it sorted properly, you know? No quirks or issues at all with the key system since then. It's actually working better than it did even before the problem started. Trust me, once you get it fixed, you'll be glad you did. Those electronic gremlins can be super frustrating, but at least there's a solid solution! Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! I actually bit the bullet and took my car to a specialist mechanic yesterday. You were spot on about everything! The issue was indeed the control unit, and they quoted me about the same price range. I went ahead with the repair, and honestly, what a difference! The car starts up perfectly now, no more key symbol haunting my dashboard. The mechanic even showed me what was wrong with the old unit, apparently, these things can fail due to age and regular wear and tear. While my wallet's definitely lighter, I'm just relieved to have a properly working car again. The specialist mechanic I found was really professional too, way better than my previous experience. They explained everything clearly and got the job done in just a few hours. Thanks again for your advice, it really helped me make the right decision instead of trying to find cheaper alternatives that might've caused more problems down the line. Cheers!