Controls and features -> Electronic vehicle immobilizer for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003

Electronic vehicle immobilizer  
31n  
How the electronics work  
At the heart of this system is an elec-  
tronic chip that is integrated into the  
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-  
ally a dual-function device, simulta-  
neously serving as a communications  
interface designed to allow the security  
system to maintain a continuous stream  
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with  
the electronic circuitry in the key. The  
system will not release the ignition, fuel  
injection and starter unless it recog-  
nizes an "authorized" key.  
The key to security  
Your BMW is equipped with a passive  
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-  
bilization system is designed to reduce  
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft  
by making it impossible to start the  
engine using any means other than the  
special keys furnished with the vehicle.  
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-  
tronic system authorization for indi-  
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for  
instance). A deactivated key can no  
longer be used to start the engine.  
Force applied to the key can  
damage the integrated electronic  
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer  
be used to start the engine.<