EWS III problem - no dealer access

A brief synopsis of what the situation is:

I imported for my wife a 318i auto yr.2000 E46 model for my wife six months ago (to replace a 93 model) from Singapore to Papua New Guinea. Soon after the starter motor solenoid need replacing….fixed, but it seems the auto electrician left the battery out for an extended period..

On trying to restart…. Nothing….dash lights up but nothing else. The Key does operate the door locks remotely. There are no BMW dealers in the country, to cut a long story (and big learning curve of what computers are in BMW’s these days!). I imported a diagnostic program “Carsoft” and it gave me the attached error message.(which for some reason the forum won’t let me attach) error reads:

“ EWS status – error.
ews_feh.dxt
01 Key 1 not recognised
Key recognising procedure during the start process. - The transponder in the key is supplied true the ring antenna. Sends the key data to the EWS control unit The EWS control unit controls the data, and then sends the permission signal to the engine control unit (DME/DDE)and the starter. - After starting the EWS control unit calculates new data(changing code) and the sends it to the transponder into the key - Single diagnosis completed.

I tried every thing the diagnostic program would do, tried sync of the EWS to DME – but would not work. Tried erasing error codes.

If I run diagnosis now… come back as EWS and DME/DDE ok.



I contacted BMW AG, but after corresponding with them. Their only solution was to fly and engineer with a GT1 computer here…..an expensive option even if I could find a person to do it.

I have corresponded with a lot of people on ways to get the car going…. The last advice was to get a new EWS 3 system. Fine if it works, but I am lead to believe I would still need a program to align the key code with the EWS?

But I read some place it is possible send the chip away to re code the DME to override the EWS system? Is this possible? or just bypass the EWS all together?

Any help would be appreciated as it is now six months since it was running.

Do you have a spare key ? It looks like the key has gone bad .Try to order new one if you do not have any spare.

i only had one full function key.....but i got another from BMW....same result.

i only had one full function key.....but i got another from BMW....same result.Sounds like a faulty EWS module. The module would have to be replaced and coded to the car, after which the EWS must be aligned with the DME