Good morning, i have a 1996 BMW (5 series) and cant get the car to start. Im being told by the machanic that the "CHIP" n the key has went bad and thats the reason the car wont start so i need to replace the ignitiong and the security system.. does that sound right?

fuse box diagrams

BMW 5-Series (E39; 1996 - 2003) - fuse box diagram ...

https://www.autogenius.info > bmw-5-series-e39-1996-...
Aug 26, 2018 - BMW 5-Series (E39; 1996 - 2003) - fuse box diagram. Year of production: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 ...
Missing: 740il ‎' Must include: 740il

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  BMW 3 Series E36 and E35/5 (1990 - 2000) - fuse box ...

  https://www.autogenius.info > bmw-3-series-e36-and-e...
  May 28, 2018 - BMW 3 Series E36 and E35/5 (1990 - 2000) - fuse box diagram · Front power distribution box · Relay carrier under LH side of dash · Connector strip ...
  

Picture & amperage & description of every single fuse ...

https://www.bimmerfest.com > ... > E39 (1997 - 2003)
Mar 1, 2013 - There are SIX fuse box locations in my 2002 BMW 525i E39 (here is a 1997 540i fuse location chart):. EF1 to EF5 <= at the back of the ebox ...

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Replacement Of Door Handles Will Not Cause Starter Relay To Directly Malfunction. It Will Cause Security System To Set And Not Allow Starter Relay To Work (not activate it)

the problem is that it has been parked up for 8 yrs, you really need to get a decent mobile mechanic to give it the once over, there are a number of things that it could be, they don't like being left that long & not at least started.

hmm your car has a problem with theft sistem or one of your theft modules is going out or wireing problem most likely some how you activeated your theft sistem only the dealer can help you on that they have to erase code and reprogram it othereby me saying modules i mean them antena on your colom your key or the theft module hope this helps im a auto repair mechanic no shop can help you ok

Its not not an easy job take it to a shop or dealer.

It's when the security light starts flashing that the infamous "chip" in the key becomes a nightmare to many. Gradually the car begins not cranking anymore or if it cranks it would start and die in a second. Randomly it will do this more and more often until it won't start anymore. VATS, PASSkey and Passlock immobilizer systems are killing cars all over North America, they have a short lifespan and are certainly more effective against owners than thieves. Here is how you save your car
1st trick, (if not starting) turn the key forward 2 clicks till right before it would normally start, leave like that for 10 minutes. ( no less ) After 10 minutes, turn key back then forward and your car might start. I did this in my regal for more than a year. If its shuting down while running, im sorry i have no quick fix...

Cheap fix: Bypass the chip in your key. Temporary, but effective. Until the TDM (theft deterrent module) in the dash poops out, then you're kinda screwed. I was told that these types of key security systems have a 7-10 year life span. Sucks for us. This link explains the "Key Issue" pretty well.
----- http://vats.likeabigdog.com/


Never worry again fix: Bypass the whole VATS/Passlock/passkey I or passkey II system entirely. Literally take it out, and throw it away. I just did this in my Regal. Took about an hour. Took longer to find the thing than it did to fix the problem. For a list of cars effected by this problem. See the NEWROCKIES link on the right side of their page......... They sell a unit for 200 bucks to totally bypass this system FOREVER. life time-money back and all that. Finally did this in my car. Well worth the 200 if you've looked into getting this replaced... Anywhere from 600-1000 bucks.
----- http://newrockies.ca?ap_id=judd0081
----- With this fix, you can take that whole Vats, passlock, passkey **** system out of your car all together. Good info on both sites

It works for:
Any GM or Isuzu Vehicle with VATS or PASSKey or PASSLock security systems.
If your car has the chip in the key or in the lock cylinder, then you can save it with this Full Bypass.
Trucks
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GMC/Chevy
1998-2006 S10/T10/Sonoma
/Blazer/Jimmy
1998-2007 Suburban/Avalanche
/Tahoe/Yukon
1998-2006 Sierra/Silverado
2002-2008 Trailblazer
2003-2006 SSR
1998-2006 C1500/C2500/C3500
1998-2006 K1500/K2500/K3500
2003-2007 Hummer H2
.
Isuzu
1998-2000 Hombre
2005-2006 I280/I350
2007-2008 I290/I370
.
Cars/Vans
.
Isuzu
2003-2007 Ascender
.
Pontiac
1994-2003 Grand Prix
1998-1999 Montana
2006 Torrent
1996-2005 Grand AM
1994-1998 Trans Sports
1988-1999 Bonneville
1988-2002 Firebird
1995-2005 Sunfire
1996-2002 Trans Am
.
Buick
2004-2007 Rainier
1994-2005 Century
1993-2004 Regal
1982-1999 LeSabre
1991-1996 Park Avenue / Ultra
1994-1996 Roadmaster
1991-1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon
1982-1999 Riviera
1988-1991 Reatta
1996-1998 Skylark
1982-1990 Electra (all models)
.
Oldsmobile
1996-1998 Achieva
1999-2004 Alero
1994-2004 Aurora
1998-2004 Bravada
1991-1993 Delta 88
1994-1999 Eighty-Eight
1991-1996 Nighty-Eight
1998-2002 Intrigue
1990-1992 Toronado
1994-1997 Cutlass Supreme
1997-1999 Cutlass
1997-1999 LSS/Regency
1997-1999 Silhouette
1991-1996 Custom Cruiser
.
Chevrolet/GMC
1998-2005 Astro/Safari
1998-2008 Envoy
2005-2006 Equinox
1998-2007 Savana/Express
1995-2005 Monte Carlo
1997-1999 Venture
1995-2001 Lumina
1988-2002 Camaro
1995-2005 Cavalier
1982-2004 Corvette
1994-1996 Caprice/Caprice Wagon
1995-1996 Impala SS
2000-2005 Impala
1997-2005 Malibu Classic
1997-2003 Malibu
.
Cadillac
1986-1993 Allante
1982-1996 Fleetwood
1985-1996 Fleetwood Brougham
1992-2004 Seville
1992-2004 SLS/STS
1985-1999 Deville
1994-1999 Deville Concours
1997-1999 Deville D'Elegance
1988-2002 ElDorado
1994-2002 ElDorado Touring
1999-2007 Escalade
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Saturn
2000 LS/LS1/LS2/LW1/LW2
2001-2002 L100/LW100
2001-2003 L200/LW200
2001-2005 L300/LW300
2004-2005 L-Series
2002-2008 VUE
1996-2002 SL/SL1/SL2
1996-2002 SC1/SC2
1996-2002 SW1/SW2

I had a similar problem with an older corvette. It was the chip & reader on the key & ignition. It would fail me at the worst times! A new key & sensor did help but it was kinda pricey for what i got. Also check to see if your fuel pump is working properly. Locate the schraeder valve on the fuel rail (looks like a tire valve), turn your ignition on but dont crank. Push the centre of the valve in & see if any fuel squirts out. if yes, ur good, if very little then ur pump is being a Btch. The security feature usually triggers the ignition, not the fuel pump... This is a simple "no tools" procedure. Using the proper analytical gadgets will give u much more info...

most likely it is a wiring harness problem. maybe rubbing on the steering shaft at some point. May have worn through and broke at the wear spot. The security wiring for the key coder decoder circuit usually is in a harness going to the ignition switch. If it shorts or seperates it will not allow the engine to operate due too no signal to PCM (power control module). The coder/decoder reads the chip in the key and determines if the engine is allowed to be started.

could be a problem with the security chip in the key.

I had the same problem, after having the car towed to four Seasons, it was discovered that the electrical portion of the ignition switch was defective. Works like a charm. Part number 61 32 8 356 026 Hope this will help.