replacement rubber for remote key

[shogun]

Looks like some young man from Poland found 'the business idea of the year', he produces the rubber for the keys for E38 and E39, which wear out terribly and the dealer only sells new keys.
Some people from the German board already have bought it and they are happy with it.
EURO 11.50 plus 2.50 for shipping within/to Germany from Poland beats the dealer price of >130 EURO for a complete new key.
Not mentioned that he ships outside of Germany, but give it a try.
http://search.ebay.de/_W0QQsassZkim9.888

I assume it even might fit for E32 and E34 RF remotes, although the trunk button logo is different.

[Jehu]

How do they come apart? I've never looed at it closer than to replace the battery. Do I just use a fine edge to pop it open?
http://home.comcast.net/~cpkver8/images/keyfob.jpg

[shogun]

I have the old IR control, cannot check it, here the pics from the offer
rubber new
http://i18.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/da/bf/be74_1.JPG
removed rubber on key
http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/da/bf/8fdf_1.JPG
as it usually looks like
http://i15.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/da/bf/510f_1.JPG

[Jehu]

Well it may be worth a try. I am hesitant to pop the rubber out lest it should disintegrate and render the key useless now and its not apparent that his replacments will fit directly but maybe with some slight modifications they will.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7327/keyor6.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=keyor6.jpg)

[pgrindstaff]

Cool find Shogun. I am with Jehu at this point though, worried about a catastrophic failure that can only be fixed by purchasing a new key.

[Jehu]

Cool find Shogun. I am with Jehu at this point though, worried about a catastrophic failure that can only be fixed by purchasing a new key.

The inside of the larger button appears to be formed differently than my original but it may still function . Looks like mine has just a single formation on the inside where these have two. I may give one a shot unless Someone wants to translate an email for the Polish seller so i can ask him if he believes his part will work with my key. I could maybe throw some money at it to see at some point.

[pgrindstaff]

I can't tell by my key, but is the button next to the unlock button supposed to open the trunk? Mine is like a panic button from my testing. I sent the seller an email asking if he could ship to the states, we'll see if I get a response.

[Jehu]

I can't tell by my key, but is the button next to the unlock button supposed to open the trunk? Mine is like a panic button from my testing. I sent the seller an email asking if he could ship to the states, we'll see if I get a response.

I've only found it to activate the interiour lights if you have them positioned to come on when you open the doors but my trunk lock seems to have been frozen all winter and i can't recall its behaviour from earlier. If its warmed up enough I'll check into it.

[pgrindstaff]

Just got a response from the seller regarding shipping to the States. He says he can for $5.

[AngryPopTart]

You could try something like this, too: http://www.autogeek.net/meg40vinrubc.html

I've been using this stuff for years. I usually run some #39, on the initial cleaning, which is the heavy duty cleaner on my weather-stripping for the doors, trunk and hood and then follow up with #40. Anyway, it's good for all kinds of things, from the rubber wrapped scroll wheel on a mouse to the rubber suspensions that your CD-ROM's tray mechanicals float on.

I haven't tried it on my 5's outside plastics, though. I've used it on the outside rubbers, around the windows and doors, but I haven't tried it on the grille or plastic side-trim. Hmm, I'll have to do that today... maybe it will keep the blasted grill from turning that hazey white. I even used a light rubbing compound to polish the grill in different spots, but it doesn't stay nice and black, it went right back to being hazey. I'll try the #40 and let you guys know.

[shogun]

Someone from the German E32 7 forum just ordered it and he will try and report if it fits. Asked him to make pics if possible.
He mentioned he would be happy if just only the large button could be covered again, even if the complete piece would not fit on his E32/E34 key.
Let's see.

[h2oyo]

Just got a response from the seller regarding shipping to the States. He says he can for $5.

That is a really cool idea. I would love to give that a try. Maybe you can tells me how much it is total and what his paypal is, I cant read any of that but would like to try it.
Johan

[shogun]

11.50 EURO is today 17.71 US $, plys 5 $ for shipment.
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
I assume if you offer him to pay 23.00 $ buy Paypal it will be o.k.

[bubba966]

Anyone know if replacing that rubber piece will help with the useage of the buttons?

Mine doesn't always arm/unlock as the contacts must be worn out a bit. If a new set of rubbers would fix it for under $25 I'm there as that's a lot better than $186 for a new key.

[shogun]

It might help, but not sure, you have to try.
Watch these threads in Germany, someone ordered the rubber and will try to fit it.
http://www.7-forum.com/forum/5/rf-fernbedienung-schluesselgummi-einzeln-90465.html#post876576
and here there are asking the supplier in Poland if he can make a rubber for the E34 and E32 keys, so there is some demand
http://forum.e34.de/thread.php?postid=1251336#post1251336

I just found, that he already answered in a difficult to understand German language, which is to be interpreted that the rubber parts fitting to E34 and E32 will be available in about 2 months.

[shogun]

German E34 forum guys will make a bulk order of at least 90 (as of today) rubbers for the E34 and E32 rubbers.
I will be in and order at least 10.

[bubba966]

I'll certainly take one from you if the new rubber improves the working of the button.

[shogun]

I am going to order some for my friends here in Japan, actually I do not need it as I have the old switchblade type IR remote control.

Asked the guys on the German E38 forum how the installed the rubber which they already bought: answer was: just rip the old rubber out and press the new one in, matter of some minutes.

Delivery time will most probably be end of May as of now.

[shogun]

Just an interim info: first 2 samples arrived in Germany, tested by 2 different guys. There are some request for small changes, such as to make the rubber at the main switch a bit thinner. Reaction time of the maker in Poland is very fast, modified new 2 samples are already on the way to Germany for final fitting test.
Scroll down in this thread to the second last post or so, to see pics of original and compariosn with the rubber from Poland.
http://www.7-forum.com/forum/5/rf-fernbedienung-schluesselgummi-einzeln-90465.html

That guy sells the other ones for E38/E39 like hell now on the German auction house, within a very short time more than 100 deals.
Lucky that we found him and that he is ready to produce also the version for E34/E32 remotes.

[Gearhead]

Hey guys, I actually fixed mine (functionally) for less than $0.25. The rubber on my key fob collapsed such that two of the buttons didn't work anymore. Figuring it was already "broke" I took it apart to see how it worked. Come to find that the convex (outer) part of the rubber button supports a little rubber shaft that pushed down on a smaller button affixed to the little circuit board. The problem with these being that as the convex part of the button deteriorates, it doesn't hold it's position and that shaft no longer presses against the circuit board when pressed. It literally goes sideways and sits there. (you'll see what I mean when you take yours apart.)

So, here's the quick, easy and cheap fix... A foam ear plug. Yup. You can get a set of them at a hardware store for < $0.50 usually. This foam earplug material has a memory allowing you to compress them and stick them in your ear. Once in, they expand and make a good seal with your ear canal. See where I'm going with this? No? Then read on...

1)Get some scissors and and something round/thing to poke a hole (cut coat hanger works well).
2) Dissassemble your key fob
3) Assess which buttons need help.
4) Notice that the larger of the three buttons is just about the same circumference of the ear plug.
5) Measure that shaft on the inner part of the rubber button and cut a cross section from the ear plug just a bit longer than that. 1/16" longer is good.
6) Do the same for the smaller buttons, but you'll need to trim/shape their circumference down a bit to fit their cavity in the fob.
7) Once you have them all shaped, poke holes down the center of your foam for that shaft. It helps to remove a bit of material in the center if possible, but not so much that they won't hold that button shaft in place.
8) place your foam cut-outs over each of the button shafts and position for assembly.
9) Squish all the foam inserts and assemble before they expand again.
10) Enjoy your working key!

It still may look terrible, but it works now.

[shogun]

Competition already starts in Poland, here the first offer I have seen for the E32/E34 rubber
http://cgi.ebay.de/gummi-tastenfeld-fur-funkfernbedienung-key-bmw-e34_W0QQitemZ320244459032QQihZ011QQcategoryZ53910Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://search.ebay.de/_W0QQsassZwiecha51

[shogun]

and here we go, 8.50 EURO buy now, http://cgi.ebay.de/gummi-tastenfeld-fur-funkfernbedienung-key-bmw-e34-e32_W0QQitemZ320268052433QQihZ011QQcategoryZ53910Q QtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
He also ships outside of Europe, do not worry.
instructions how to do are here from Nick in OZ who also bought it
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/531193/

[bubba966]

and here we go, 8.50 EURO buy now, http://cgi.ebay.de/gummi-tastenfeld-fur-funkfernbedienung-key-bmw-e34-e32_W0QQitemZ320268052433QQihZ011QQcategoryZ53910Q QtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
He also ships outside of Europe, do not worry.
instructions how to do are here from Nick in OZ who also bought it
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/531193/

:(

That doesn't look like the one for my remote at all. Mine looks a lot like the E38 one that's at the beginning of the thread. Guess I still don't have a cheap option to try for getting my remote to work reliably.

[shogun]

O.K., check this link, for E38/E39 also, as well as E32 and E34
http://search.ebay.de/_W0QQdfspZ32QQfcclZ1QQfclZ4QQsassZ2gi610

seller name: 2gi610

I assume it is the same guy, he sometimes changes name.

[Jehu]

O.K., check this link, for E38/E39 also, as well as E32 and E34
http://search.ebay.de/_W0QQdfspZ32QQfcclZ1QQfclZ4QQsassZ2gi610

seller name: 2gi610

I assume it is the same guy, he sometimes changes name.


That's it! Do you know weather he reads English if i need to convey my postal information ?

[shogun]

Yes, he at least tries to understand it, also his German is not that good, but enough to communicate. So keep it short and simple.

[bubba966]

This is what my key looks like
http://cgi.ebay.de/gummi-tastenfeld-fur-funkfernbedienung-key-bmw-e38-e39_W0QQitemZ220251623906QQihZ012QQcategoryZ53910Q QtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But the little pictures on the rubber parts are different for my key.

Still, if it fit in my key and improved the function of the buttons (mine aren't worn through, it just doesn't always want to dis-arm/unlock) it'd be a lot cheaper than dropping $210 on a new key at the dealer.

[shogun]

Yes, on some keys the little pics are different, but the main ourpose is to get a functioning key with rubber.
http://i19.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/fa/47/3795_2.JPG

No big risk to buy the rubber for that price anyway.