2000 BMW 7 Series Key Replacement

The 2000–2001 7 Series uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the BMW 7 Series key guide.

2000 BMW 7 Series: key facts

Key type: Remote-head key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: ID44 (PCF7935)
Programming: EEPROM
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

EWS system: new keys are originated from the EWS module data on the bench (AK90/Abrites EWS3-class tools) or ordered pre-cut by VIN — all-keys-lost is routine specialist work, no working key needed. Blade profile on the E38 varies by build year (HU58 vs HU92) — we confirm from the lock before cutting.

What kind of key does a 2000 BMW 7 Series use?

The 2000 7 Series uses a remote-head key. The remote buttons are built into the key head, and the blade folds out for the door and ignition. It is not a push-to-start car, so there is no proximity fob involved. You turn a real key in a real ignition.

Inside the key is an ID44 (PCF7935) transponder chip. That chip is what the EWS immobilizer reads before the engine is allowed to run. The car also has a mechanical backup key, so the door can still be opened by hand if the remote stops working.

For you as the owner, this splits a key into two separate jobs. One is the cut blade that turns the lock. The other is the chip that has to be recognized by the car. A key that fits the ignition but carries an unrecognized chip will turn but will not start the car.

Do you need a duplicate, or are all the keys lost?

For this setup, an original key is not required. If you still have one working key, we can make a copy from it. If you have none, that is still routine specialist work for us. It is not a dead end and it does not mean a tow to the dealer.

With the EWS system, new keys are originated from the EWS module data on the bench, using EWS-capable tools in the AK90 and Abrites class. Another route is ordering a key pre-cut by VIN. Programming on this car is done through the EEPROM method. It does not call for NASTF/SDRM vehicle-security registry access.

Having a spare key made before you lose the last one is the more economical route. It also spares you the more involved all-keys-lost work.

How do we handle it, step by step?

The details change depending on what you bring us, but the job generally runs like this.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model, and how many working keys you have. We answer around the clock.
We come to you with a mobile van, or you bring the car to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd.
We check the lock to confirm the correct blade profile before cutting anything.
We create the new key from the EWS module data, or from a VIN-ordered blank, and cut the blade.
We program the ID44 chip and the remote to the car, then test the door, the ignition, and every button before we finish.

What affects the price of a 2000 7 Series key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real answer depends on your situation. These are the factors that move the cost:

Duplicate or all keys lost. Copying from a working key is usually the lighter-cost option. Starting from nothing involves more bench work.
Where the work happens. A mobile visit and a drop-off at the shop are priced differently.
Key condition. A worn blade or a cracked shell may mean replacing the housing, not just the chip.
Remote needs. If the key starts the car but the buttons are dead, the fix may be a battery, not a new key.
Number of keys. Making a spare in the same visit is often more economical than coming back later.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What we confirm in person, and the usual problems

One thing we do not guess at is the blade. On the E38, the blade profile varies by build year, either HU58 or HU92. We confirm it from the lock before we cut, so you do not end up with a key that looks right and will not turn.

The problems we see on this key line up with its design. The rechargeable remote battery can die, so the buttons stop working even though the chip still starts the car. HU-series blades wear down and key shells crack. And sometimes an EWS no-start shows up, where the key turns but the engine does not crank because the key and module have fallen out of sync.

A dead remote is not always a lost key, and a no-crank is not always a bad chip. We diagnose before we replace anything. David, who owns the company and leads the technical work, oversees how these jobs are done. Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, and one company handles your call, not a dispatch middleman.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a 2000 BMW 7 Series key if I lost every key?

Yes. An original key is not needed. We originate a new key from the EWS module data on the bench, or order one pre-cut by VIN, then program it to the car.

Is my 2000 7 Series a push-to-start car?

No. It uses a remote-head key with a folding blade that goes into the ignition. There is no push-button start on this year.

My remote buttons stopped working but the car still starts. Do I need a new key?

Not necessarily. The remote battery is rechargeable and can wear out while the ID44 chip keeps working. We check the battery and the key before suggesting a replacement.

The key turns but the engine will not crank. What is going on?

That pattern points to an EWS immobilizer fault, often a key and module sync problem. We test it first, since the fix is not always a new key.

Do you need to know the blade type before you arrive?

No. On the E38, the blade profile varies by build year, HU58 or HU92. We confirm it from the lock before we cut, and we can confirm details by VIN as well.

Should I ask a locksmith about licensing?

Yes, with any locksmith. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you are entitled to ask for it before work begins.

Where can I find more BMW key information?

See our BMW 7 Series key page, our BMW key overview, or the main car keys section. To book a visit, use our contact page or call (213) 577-1366.

We cover all these cities

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.