2009 BMW 7 Series Key Replacement

The 2009–2015 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.

2009 BMW 7 Series: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: ID49 (PCF7953P, Hitag Pro)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

CAS4/CAS4+ car: specialist territory. Add-a-key is possible via OBD with pro tools (VVDI2/Autel/CGDI per tool documentation); all-keys-lost usually means bench-reading the CAS4 module. Not dealer-only, but not a general-purpose-tool job either.

What kind of key does a 2009 BMW 7 Series use?

The 2009 7 Series runs on a smart proximity key. You carry the fob, the car senses it, and you start the engine with the push button. Inside the fob is an ID49 transponder chip (PCF7953P, also called Hitag Pro). That chip is part of the security handshake, so a fob that merely looks right and fits the buttons will not start the car until it has been programmed to it.

There is also a mechanical backup key built into the fob. It is there for the day the electronics fail: you can still open the door with it. Keep it in mind, because many owners never take it out and only find out how it works when the fob goes dead.

This is a different animal from the older, simpler BMW keys. Replacing a 7 Series fob costs more than replacing keys on the E-series cars, and the work is more specialized. We cover the wider model range on our BMW 7 Series key page, but everything below is specific to the 2009 setup.

Do you need a spare key, or have you lost every key?

For this car, an original key is not required to make a new one. That matters, because it means losing your only fob is not a dead end.

The two situations are handled differently, though, and it helps to know which one you are in.

You still have a working key and want a spare: this is an add-a-key job. It is done through the OBD port with professional programming tools, and the new fob gets learned by the car's CAS4 system.
You have no working keys at all: all-keys-lost is possible on this car, but it is more involved. It usually means reading the CAS4 module on the bench to get what is needed to make a key the car will accept.
Either way, it is not dealer-only work. It is also not a job for the general-purpose key machines you see at a hardware counter.

What affects the price of a 2009 7 Series key?

We don't quote numbers on a web page, because the real figure depends on your situation. Here is what actually moves the cost:

Spare versus all keys lost. Adding a key to a car that already has one working is the lighter-cost path. Bench-reading a module takes more time and more skill.
The fob itself. A smart key with the correct chip and board costs more than a basic transponder key, and a good fob is not something to economize on.
Where the car is. Our storefront is at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, and our mobile vans come to you. If the car can't be driven, mobile service avoids a tow.
Whether the car has other issues, such as a weak fob battery or a Comfort Access fault, that need sorting out at the same time.
How many keys you want made in one visit. Programming several at once is usually the more economical route 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

Dead fob, 'key not detected' and other common problems

Before assuming you need a new key, check the simple thing. The most common complaint on these cars is a dead coin cell in the fob. The dash shows a 'key not detected' warning, and the car refuses to start the normal way. The car has an emergency start position that still works in this situation, so a weak battery should not strand you for long. If a battery swap fixes it, you don't need a new key at all.

Another known issue is Comfort Access door-handle sensor faults on cars that are equipped with it. If the doors don't respond to a fob that is clearly alive, the problem may be the handle sensor and not the key. We would rather tell you that than program a new fob you don't need.

If the fob has been dropped, soaked or cracked, or the buttons work only sometimes, a replacement shell or board may be the answer. Bring it by or tell us on the phone what it is doing.

What we confirm by VIN before we start

The data we work from for this year is verified: the ID49 chip, OBD programming, no original key required, and the mechanical backup key. The 2009 7 Series is still an area where model details can vary with how the car was built and equipped, so we confirm the specifics by VIN and in person before ordering or cutting anything. That includes whether your car has Comfort Access and exactly which fob it takes.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for that number before work begins. That goes for us too. We have been in business since 1987, run as one company with no dispatch middlemen, and David oversees the work. If you want to talk it through first, call (213) 577-1366, or use our contact page. You can also see our other BMW key services or browse all car key replacement pages.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a 2009 BMW 7 Series key if I lost all my keys?

Yes, it is possible. It is more involved than adding a spare, because it usually means reading the CAS4 module on the bench. It is not dealer-only work, but it is specialist work.

Do I need my original key to get a copy made?

No. For this car, an original key is not required to program a new one.

Does my 2009 7 Series have a chip in the key?

Yes. The smart key uses an ID49 transponder chip (PCF7953P, Hitag Pro). It has to be programmed to your car before it will start the engine.

My car says 'key not detected.' Do I need a new key?

Not necessarily. The usual cause is a dead coin cell in the fob. The car has an emergency start position that still works, and a fresh battery often fixes it.

Is there a regular key inside the fob?

Yes. The fob has a mechanical backup key that opens the door if the electronics fail.

How is the key programmed?

Through the OBD port, using professional programming tools. No NASTF/SDRM credentials are required for this car's key programming.

Do you come to me, or do I bring the car in?

Either works. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles and mobile vans. Phones are answered 24 hours a day at (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.