[Tylerv0128]

As the title states, the new key fob battery in my 2020 540i has lost the touchless lock and unclog and requires to be put on the steering wheel to start the car. Got the battery from bmw not sure why this happened. My secondary fob which is also low battery does still have touchless lock and unlock so it’s the fob. PLEASE HELP LOL DONT WANT TO GO TO DEALER!!

[G30M]

buy energizer battery, their touchless lock and unlock is strong

[Tylerv0128]

Originally Posted by G30M

buy energizer battery, their touchless lock and unlock is strong

Did you replace a fob with this brand battery and no issues? It just doesn’t make much sense since I got the battery from bmw after getting a battery from AutoZone first.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Tylerv0128

Did you replace a fob with this brand battery and no issues? It just doesn’t make much sense since I got the battery from bmw after getting a battery from AutoZone first.

absolutely no issues for 2 years then it needs replacing again.

[Alscoob]

Seems odd. I had a low key battery warning pop up last week, so went out and bought a bog standard CR2023 battery took the old one out , new one in and every thing works as it should, comfort access etc no issues.

Thats on a 2020 540i LCi.

Stupid question but did you put the battery in the right way up?

[Trian]

Try another battery. Some batteries sit for years in the package before bought --- or, like everything in life, somethings are just lemons. Try another battery.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Tylerv0128

As the title states, the new key fob battery in my 2020 540i has lost the touchless lock and unclog and requires to be put on the steering wheel to start the car. Got the battery from bmw not sure why this happened. My secondary fob which is also low battery does still have touchless lock and unlock so it’s the fob. PLEASE HELP LOL DONT WANT TO GO TO DEALER!!

If the dealership replaced the battery in one remote, and your other remote is giving you a low battery warning…why not just stop by your local hardware store or Walmart/CVS/etc and pick up a dual pack of whatever battery type your remote requires.

Hopefully you saw how easy it is to swap the battery, if not, the instruction should be in the owners manual (it is in my older F chassis models).

Walmart usually has 2pk cell batteries at a good cost…and usually are at a kiosk up front near the cash registers. The same for a local big box chain called Menard’s…they have 2 pk cell batteries for around $5.

BTW, if you swap the low battery in the 2nd remote…see if it will get the non working remote to work. If it does…then the issue is definitely the battery. You may also need to make sure contact is good inside the remote fob.

[Tylerv0128]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

Seems odd. I had a low key battery warning pop up last week, so went out and bought a bog standard CR2023 battery took the old one out , new one in and every thing works as it should, comfort access etc no issues.

Thats on a 2020 540i LCi.

Stupid question but did you put the battery in the right way up?

Yes lol, remote unlock and locks the car but doesn’t work for entry or start without holding on the colum

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Tylerv0128

As the title states, the new key fob battery in my 2020 540i has lost the touchless lock and unclog and requires to be put on the steering wheel to start the car. Got the battery from bmw not sure why this happened. My secondary fob which is also low battery does still have touchless lock and unlock so it’s the fob. PLEASE HELP LOL DONT WANT TO GO TO DEALER!!

Have you tried swapping the old (low) battery in the 2nd fob with the new battery in the 1st fob to see if it will start working? If it does, then the issue is more than likely the new battery the dealership installed. The battery inside the fob is easy to replace…hopefully you saw how easy at the dealership…if not, there’s instructions in the owners manual.

Also, you can find fresh cell battery packs at Walmart or you local big box store. Since your 2nd fob’s battery is low…why wait for it to die, too. Just buy a dual pack and replace the battery in both fobs.

Walmart sells dual pack for approx $5…look at the battery kiosk up front near the registers. I’m not sure what size you use…my 6 series uses a 2450…my X5 uses a 2032…and again…both sizes are sold in dual packs at reasonable prices at the aforementioned sites.

Walmart $5.47

[Tylerv0128]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Walmart $5.47

I’m pretty sure this is the battery I bought first and it didn’t work, then I got the bmw battery and it doesn’t work either and bmw doesn’t know why. I’m scared to change to battery in the working touchless entry remote as that’s currently my only proof it’s a remote issue not a car issue

[Qsilver7]

Swapping the battery should still be easy…you can put it back in the 2nd remote if it doesn’t work.

But you still need to replace the battery in the 2nd remote before the battery totally dies. And swapping the new battery into the spare remote can also reveal if the issue is the 1st remote fob or the new battery from the dealer.

Your apprehension to swap a new battery into both remotes to see if it solves the issue may end up leaving the spare remote with a dead battery…which then may require you to hold it next to the icon on the steering column to pair it again with the vehicle.

See if you can at least get one of the remotes to communicate with the car. BTW…my prodding for you to keep at it is due to your issue being common across multiple BMW forums. This is not a new or isolated topic…again…I’ve seen/read this issue described/discussed for decades…and it’s usually a battery issue…and rarely a fob issue…unless the fob has been dropped severely or washed or dropped in the ocean or swimming pool.

Good luck…also make sure the cell battery is inserted in the correct position and is making good contact. I’ve seen them inserted upside down before, too.

[CnSky]

Did you or the dealer peel the kid safety sticker off the back of the battery?

Also buy Duracell plenty of batteries are dead on arrival but never had an issue with Duracell ones.

Don’t go to the dealer this is a simple fix.

[Tylerv0128]

Originally Posted by CnSky

Did you or the dealer peel the kid safety sticker off the back of the battery?

Also buy Duracell plenty of batteries are dead on arrival but never had an issue with Duracell ones.

Don’t go to the dealer this is a simple fix.

Yes it didn’t have a safety sticker on the one from bmw, it just doesn’t make sense why it works to unlock when I click the buttons but comfort access doesn’t work. And the part that makes me think it’s not that simple is I’ve gone through multiple batteries in this key and none of them have allowed to comfort unlock/lock but I go grab the other key and it works.

[CnSky]

Have you enabled comfort unlock for this key in the user screen in idrive?

Each key can be separately programmed under each user to work differently.

[Tylerv0128]

Originally Posted by CnSky

Have you enabled comfort unlock for this key in the user screen in idrive?

Each key can be separately programmed under each user to work differently.

I didn’t check that, but I feel like I wouldn’t have to hold the key to the steering column if that was the case. It says no key found until I hold it to the column

[Joe-BMW33]

So, these cars/FOB's are very sensitive to needing a quality battery with a very recent date code. The Energizer CR2032's seem to do the trick for most people. I have a closet full of brand new sealed Amazon CR2032's that are useless for the BMW FOB's.

After you check your iDrive settings, go down to a local store and get a pack of Energizer CR2032's with a 2025 date code.

[Dephead2004]

This help is coming out of left field but it worked for me eventually.

I don't have comfort access but did have remote control access and starting problems as you describe.

I ran through any number of batteries until.....

I watched an online video where the guy described the same issue in a 3 series. He replaced the 12v battery and cured the problems.

I was incredulous that a 6 yr old well maintained oem battery could fail. No starting issues or any other voltage related matters. But out of options thought id try it and it solved the problem instantly.

As others have noted the electronics seem to be very susceptible to low voltages.

Search my posts for the write up.

Hope this works for you.

[H_T]

Wanted to also add to this group:

I’ve seen the “child safety” coating on batteries cause Apple AirTags not to work. Might be the same situation.

[G30M]

well this X5 lost touchless entry because the wire that ran behind the wheel arch was damaged

NOT your issue however