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Looks like my remote locking range issue has been solved. The shop mechanic couldn't get a good signal from the "FBD" antenna connected to the diversity antenna amplifier, even with a brand new diversity antenna amp. So he fabricated a new, monopole, quarter wavelength antenna just using insulated, braided copper wire, 250mm long, and installed it into the mating connector to the diversity antenna amp, and disconnected the lead to the antennas in the glass. Thanks to Lotus99 for the TSB PDF - previous post - it explains the embedded antennas for the e60, although I suspect the placement of the antennas for the e61 is a bit different.
With the new custom antenna - I've now got remote unlocking up to about 20 or 30m from the car, depending on the direction. At least I'll be able to lock / unlock the car from the front door of the house, which I could never do before.
Best part - didn't have to buy a new back glass to get working antennas.
I plan on trying the same thing out as I believe my amplifier is working but I have doubts whether the ribbon cable from my FBD antenna is still any good. The connector appears to have 3 pins but in the ribbon cable it looks like there are two traces (one wider than the other). Do you know how yours is wired? Are there simply two copper wires, one attached to two of the pins and the other wire attached to the remaining pin? Perhaps even a larger version of this photo would answer the question, if you have one. I know it's been a few years
My Ride: 2010 535xiT Touring, N54, Individual Audio
Model Year: 2010
Engine: N54 3.0L Twin Turbo
Here - you can see what was done in the following photo. There are three leads on the ribbon cable. The lead on the right was split from the other two leads, and a length of copper wire was used to replace the right hand lead. Let me know if you have any other questions..... and good luck. Sorry for the delay in responding, I only saw this thread this morning. custom remote locking antenna modification
10-29-2018, 12:29 PM
