E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Key fob is dying!

Old Jan 7, 2010 | 07:55 PM
  #1  
BMW BRAD's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Members
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills Ca.
My Ride: f10 535d M sport e46 330cic vert
Model Year: 2015
Default

Hey guys, my Key fob only works occasionally on my '04 530i...... do I need to buy a new key, or is there a battery in it that can be replaced? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Brad
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 09:31 PM
  #2  
ktlocklear's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: B-Ham, AL
My Ride: '06 550i '84 Nissan S12 Turbo
Default

Originally Posted by BMW BRAD' post='1086377' date='Jan 7 2010, 10:55 PM
Hey guys, my Key fob only works occasionally on my '04 530i...... do I need to buy a new key, or is there a battery in it that can be replaced? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Brad
I just had my antenna amp replaced because the fobs only worked about 2-3 feet away from the car. After the new antenna amp, i'm back to 40+ ft away operation. Might be your issue. Do both fobs act the same?
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 03:06 AM
  #3  
SSRL_2006's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Australia
My Ride: BMW E60 530i
Default

Originally Posted by BMW BRAD' post='1086377' date='Jan 8 2010, 03:55 PM
Hey guys, my Key fob only works occasionally on my '04 530i...... do I need to buy a new key, or is there a battery in it that can be replaced? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Brad

I don't know if this is the same problem, but I had the exact same problem after I picked up my car in 2006 (I bought it brand new). I found out that a software update was required in the car itself as the car kept misreading the signals.

About the actual fobs, the battery is recharged every time we use it (as in when your engine starts, it starts recharging) but if it IS your actual key fob that's the problem, you can purchase another one! Heck, there's even a new version of it too! With 8GB(?) storage USB installed! Pretty cool if you asked me!
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 06:05 AM
  #4  
vern's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
My Ride: 2001 BMW330ci, Steel Gray, Black leather, Steptronic, PP, SP, PDC, Heated seats, Xenon head lights, HK, 6 disk changer, OEM alarm, OEM clears,Iice white fog lights ,Universal trasnciver, 17 inch Michelin Pilot Sport Tires 2005 530i Titanium Gray,Black leather, Nav.,HUD,PP,CWP,SP,PDC,Xenon lights,Steptronic,Logic 7 sound system,,Fold down read seats,Power shades ON ORDER
Post

Originally Posted by BMW BRAD' post='1086377' date='Jan 7 2010, 11:55 PM
Hey guys, my Key fob only works occasionally on my '04 530i...... do I need to buy a new key, or is there a battery in it that can be replaced? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Brad
Try the old reliable temporary fix,hold the key under your CHIN when you press the buttons and you will increase the distance . Good luck
cheers
vern
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 06:51 AM
  #5  
JeRZee XiE60's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SSRL_2006' post='1086503' date='Jan 8 2010, 07:06 AM

About the actual fobs, the battery is recharged every time we use it (as in when your engine starts, it starts recharging) but if it IS your actual key fob that's the problem, you can purchase another one! Heck, there's even a new version of it too! With 8GB(?) storage USB installed! Pretty cool if you asked me!
Brad, do you have comfort access? If you have do, your key fob will NOT recharge. You can go to any CVS or Walgreens, pick up a battery (CR32) and it should be fine.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 07:23 AM
  #6  
Rudy's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Default

Originally Posted by JeRZee XiE60' post='1086601' date='Jan 8 2010, 10:51 AM
Brad, do you have comfort access? If you have do, your key fob will NOT recharge. You can go to any CVS or Walgreens, pick up a battery (CR32) and it should be fine.
It's actually a CR2032 battery...
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 10:31 AM
  #7  
juan2mini's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

BMW BRAD
I also have a 2004. My key fob died, just the buttons that lock and unlock the car. The trunk button still worked so I figured it wasn't the power supply. New key = $181.23 @ dealer.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 10:33 AM
  #8  
JeRZee XiE60's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='1086620' date='Jan 8 2010, 11:23 AM
It's actually a CR2032 battery...
OOPPS .. .. I meant that ^^^, I thought I put 2032.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 11:37 AM
  #9  
andy535xi's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by ktlocklear' post='1086417' date='Jan 8 2010, 01:31 AM
I just had my antenna amp replaced because the fobs only worked about 2-3 feet away from the car. After the new antenna amp, i'm back to 40+ ft away operation. Might be your issue. Do both fobs act the same?
Was the antenna replaced under warranty or did you pay for it? if so, how much?
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2010 | 12:56 PM
  #10  
ktlocklear's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: B-Ham, AL
My Ride: '06 550i '84 Nissan S12 Turbo
Default

Originally Posted by andy535xi' post='1086758' date='Jan 8 2010, 02:37 PM
Was the antenna replaced under warranty or did you pay for it? if so, how much?
It would have been if I went in before I hit 50k....but I didn't, so the CPO warranty picked it up...just had to pay the $50 deductable. Not sure how much it would of cost otherwise
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:56 AM.