Battery low on Key fob ?
11-15-2011, 01:53 AM
#11
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If someone can confirm if I have an argument I can give to the BMW garage and what may have happened I will really appreciate it.
11-15-2011, 02:07 AM
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So my guess is it wasn't a BMW SA, right?
It seriously does sound like the amplifier. However, it may simply be a loose connection somewhere, and that would easily make sense as to the shortened range. I know plenty of cases where laptops have been worked on, but haven't had their wifi cards plugged back into the actual antennas, causing the laptops to have a nothing-range.
Also, one thing people lacked to mention here I believe, have you checked your battery voltage? 2 weeks is quite a long time without having using the car, and BMW's are very sensitive when it comes to batteries. You can even get the voltage through the cluster.
It seriously does sound like the amplifier. However, it may simply be a loose connection somewhere, and that would easily make sense as to the shortened range. I know plenty of cases where laptops have been worked on, but haven't had their wifi cards plugged back into the actual antennas, causing the laptops to have a nothing-range.
Also, one thing people lacked to mention here I believe, have you checked your battery voltage? 2 weeks is quite a long time without having using the car, and BMW's are very sensitive when it comes to batteries. You can even get the voltage through the cluster.
11-15-2011, 03:39 AM
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The key fob batteries do require occasional recharging by plugging one into the ignition lock. There's likely a small coil in the lock, and another in the key fob, and the battery is charged via inductive coupling when the coils are close.
I'd be surprised if two weeks worth of non-use would be much of an issue for the key fob batteries. However, a battery's effective capacity weakens as it's ambient temperature drops. Cold temperature and an old / weak battery is not a good combination.
Another local transmitter could be interfering with your car's remote system.
But, having both key fobs "go bad" at the same time isn't a good sign...
Best of luck!
Jim / crewzer
I'd be surprised if two weeks worth of non-use would be much of an issue for the key fob batteries. However, a battery's effective capacity weakens as it's ambient temperature drops. Cold temperature and an old / weak battery is not a good combination.
Another local transmitter could be interfering with your car's remote system.
But, having both key fobs "go bad" at the same time isn't a good sign...
Best of luck!
Jim / crewzer
11-15-2011, 07:51 AM
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So my guess is it wasn't a BMW SA, right?
It seriously does sound like the amplifier. However, it may simply be a loose connection somewhere, and that would easily make sense as to the shortened range. I know plenty of cases where laptops have been worked on, but haven't had their wifi cards plugged back into the actual antennas, causing the laptops to have a nothing-range.
Also, one thing people lacked to mention here I believe, have you checked your battery voltage? 2 weeks is quite a long time without having using the car, and BMW's are very sensitive when it comes to batteries. You can even get the voltage through the cluster.
It seriously does sound like the amplifier. However, it may simply be a loose connection somewhere, and that would easily make sense as to the shortened range. I know plenty of cases where laptops have been worked on, but haven't had their wifi cards plugged back into the actual antennas, causing the laptops to have a nothing-range.
Also, one thing people lacked to mention here I believe, have you checked your battery voltage? 2 weeks is quite a long time without having using the car, and BMW's are very sensitive when it comes to batteries. You can even get the voltage through the cluster.
How can there be a loose connection if everything worked perfectly till I handed them my car... something on my mind at the moment is that could the battery possibly be weak in the car (the actual battery of the car), you mentioned checking the battery voltage through the cluster could you explain this further please ? (
11-15-2011, 07:53 AM
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The key fob batteries do require occasional recharging by plugging one into the ignition lock. There's likely a small coil in the lock, and another in the key fob, and the battery is charged via inductive coupling when the coils are close.
I'd be surprised if two weeks worth of non-use would be much of an issue for the key fob batteries. However, a battery's effective capacity weakens as it's ambient temperature drops. Cold temperature and an old / weak battery is not a good combination.
Another local transmitter could be interfering with your car's remote system.
But, having both key fobs "go bad" at the same time isn't a good sign...
Best of luck!
Jim / crewzer
I'd be surprised if two weeks worth of non-use would be much of an issue for the key fob batteries. However, a battery's effective capacity weakens as it's ambient temperature drops. Cold temperature and an old / weak battery is not a good combination.
Another local transmitter could be interfering with your car's remote system.
But, having both key fobs "go bad" at the same time isn't a good sign...
Best of luck!
Jim / crewzer
having both key fobs "go bad" at the same time isn't a good sign...
11-15-2011, 10:50 AM
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lol... BMW dealer in London.
How can there be a loose connection if everything worked perfectly till I handed them my car... something on my mind at the moment is that could the battery possibly be weak in the car (the actual battery of the car), you mentioned checking the battery voltage through the cluster could you explain this further please ? (
How can there be a loose connection if everything worked perfectly till I handed them my car... something on my mind at the moment is that could the battery possibly be weak in the car (the actual battery of the car), you mentioned checking the battery voltage through the cluster could you explain this further please ? (
I've attached the PDF created by Scoopz over at m5board, which has a detailed step by step set of instructions on getting into the menu. Once you get in, you'll have to be under 09.00 to read your voltage.
Also, the odometer reset button is that small button ON the cluster itself. Not that you wouldn't know what it was, but I was having trouble finding it because I've never pushed it before
E60_Hidden_OBC_Instructions.pdf
11-15-2011, 11:37 AM
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There is a hidden cluster menu that you can access, but it's kind of hard to get into.
I've attached the PDF created by Scoopz over at m5board, which has a detailed step by step set of instructions on getting into the menu. Once you get in, you'll have to be under 09.00 to read your voltage.
Also, the odometer reset button is that small button ON the cluster itself. Not that you wouldn't know what it was, but I was having trouble finding it because I've never pushed it before
Attachment 128273
I've attached the PDF created by Scoopz over at m5board, which has a detailed step by step set of instructions on getting into the menu. Once you get in, you'll have to be under 09.00 to read your voltage.
Also, the odometer reset button is that small button ON the cluster itself. Not that you wouldn't know what it was, but I was having trouble finding it because I've never pushed it before
Attachment 128273
11-15-2011, 02:29 PM
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Hello everyone,
First of all I tried searching and could not find anything on this topic.
My 2006 E60 BMW was in for body work repair for about 2 weeks, and after recieving my vehicle the key fob would only work when I am very close to the vehicle about 2 feet before the key used to work perfectly. I guess as the car was not driven during the 2 weeks could it be the battery on the key drained ? also a side note is that I have 2 keys and both have this issue I only handed one to the BMW repair shop.
What I am wondering is what do I have to do? can I change the battery on the key fob or is a new key fob required.
I do not have comfort access
Thanks a lot in advance !
First of all I tried searching and could not find anything on this topic.
My 2006 E60 BMW was in for body work repair for about 2 weeks, and after recieving my vehicle the key fob would only work when I am very close to the vehicle about 2 feet before the key used to work perfectly. I guess as the car was not driven during the 2 weeks could it be the battery on the key drained ? also a side note is that I have 2 keys and both have this issue I only handed one to the BMW repair shop.
What I am wondering is what do I have to do? can I change the battery on the key fob or is a new key fob required.
I do not have comfort access
Thanks a lot in advance !
11-16-2011, 12:51 AM
#19
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The only reason I am left with question marks is having both keys battery go bad at the same time after receiving my car... bit strange don't you think ?
11-18-2011, 03:41 AM
#20
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There is a hidden cluster menu that you can access, but it's kind of hard to get into.
I've attached the PDF created by Scoopz over at m5board, which has a detailed step by step set of instructions on getting into the menu. Once you get in, you'll have to be under 09.00 to read your voltage.
Also, the odometer reset button is that small button ON the cluster itself. Not that you wouldn't know what it was, but I was having trouble finding it because I've never pushed it before
Attachment 128273
I've attached the PDF created by Scoopz over at m5board, which has a detailed step by step set of instructions on getting into the menu. Once you get in, you'll have to be under 09.00 to read your voltage.
Also, the odometer reset button is that small button ON the cluster itself. Not that you wouldn't know what it was, but I was having trouble finding it because I've never pushed it before
Attachment 128273
With the engine off but the key in ignition stage 2 I got these readings for voltage. It fluctuated from 11.8 to 11.6 , if I opened the radio or the heated seats it went down to 11.5 and 11.4 respectively.
When I turned the engine on the voltage went up to 14.6 and again fluctuated between 14.5 and 14.7 , if I opened the radio or heated seats it went down to 14.4
After driving for 2/3 minutes, and turning the engine off I got the voltage of 12.6
Hopefully this information can come to some conclusions if not we shall have to try other options...
Thank you to every one's contributions so far.