For the past week or so both keys have been rather selective in whether or not they decide to work.

Obviously, batteries spring to mind - even if it seems mad that both sets would go at the same time.

Does anyone know if it's likely to be anything else? And if so, what?

Also, if it is the batteries, is it something you can do yourself (and do you then need to do anything special to code the key to the car again)? Or does it have to be a dealer job?

Thanks in advance.

 

You say the keys are no longer working - to remotely lock and unlock the car or to start it?

If it's the former I would start to wonder about the tailgate wiring - the aerial for the remote locking is in the rear screen. Everything else in the tailgate working as it should? Lights, electric releases, etc?

 

It's to remotely lock/unlock the car. Putting them in the driver's door and then opening the car causes the alarm to go off, so I've resorted to turning the the key and keeping it turned so the windows come down, then putting the key in the ignition through the open window, then opening the door.

As it happens, we've just had someone look at the rear wiring as the rear demister wasn't working - and the rear wiper was problematic.

As far as I can tell, they fixed the demister (the screen gets warm) but not had a chance to test it properly. Is it possible they've done something to stop the keys working at the same time?

 

I think the same wiring bundle feeds the rear demister, the rear wiper, the tailgate and glass release and the remote locking aerial (the aerial is not within the glass but within the spoiler attached to the glass). The wiring seems to be a bit of a weak spot - quite possibly the wiring to the aerial was already weak and/or damaged at the same time. Or water's got into the spoiler. have a read of https://5series.net/forums/topic/727...s-replacement/

 

Thanks for that. A partially broken wire would explain why it's sometimes working and sometimes not.

I might have to have a look at the weekend - if I've got 6 hours to spare.

 

Changing the battery on the fob is as easy as changing the battery on a toy. If you look at your manual, it'll have detailed instructions, but basically you just pop off the back cover after taking out your metal key.

 

Hi Kell, well it might be indeed the cable wiring running through the rear/back door. Last summer I noticed the same problem with my keys. Sometimes I couldn't lock or unlock my car anymore. Tried all keys. Same problem. Then after a while I also noticed that my rear 3rd breaking light didn't work anymore and then the rear windscreen wiper stopt working. This all happened in a matter of weeks.

Cause was indeed broken wires in the bundle. Solution given by the BMW dealer would be to replace the entire bundle, front to back (cost estimate +/- EUR 1400,-). I didn't feel like paying that much so went to a specialist who simply replaced part of the wiring without removing and replacing the entire bundle. Cost there: EUR 450,- (fact remains that they have to partially remove the interior roof lining)

Good luck anyway!

 

I wonder why a MAJOR wiring harness failure issue (esp prevalent in e61 series) has not prompted BMW to issue a recall to inspect and repair - REGARDLESS of the year of the car. That (in my opinion) presents a lack of regard for customers - maybe OK in low-end marques but not acceptable (again in my opinion) for BMW.

 

My opinion? Nowadays the margins made on the sales of the car are slim. Profits are made in service. So it doesn't hurt them if they don't do a call back even if they know from their internal databases that a certain specific problem is occurring more and more. Take also for example the problem a lot of fellow E61 drivers had with their automatic rear suspension level compressor. At fault isn't the expensive compressor but only the cheap rubber hose leading to it (getting cracked and hence leading rubble/dust into the compressor and hence breaking it). You would think they would replace such a hose as a preventive measure during the next service call however they don't......

Simply so they can get your car back in the shop more often than the regular business. Call it creative sales. It sucks but I don't think they're the only ones that do this.

 

And I'd guess the recalls, given their complexity and headaches, are for safety related issues. No mfr wants to do any recall / voluntary recall frequently.