Key fob range problem

lnaukkar · 02-14-2018, 12:48 PM

So, this happened. Now suddenly one of the keys requires me to stand next to the car while the other works just fine from a distance. The problem is with the key we have been using the most.

Whats wrong?

Could this be a key battery thing? Shouldn't the car tell when key battery is low?

ztx84 · 02-14-2018, 02:06 PM

Definitely sounds like a key battery issue... particularly if the other fob works from a distance. You are right though, I thought the car should warn you about low key fob battery? I'd change the battery and see what happens.

Nivarox · 02-15-2018, 01:14 AM

Battery replacement might be on the cards but I assume this car should pop out a warning message to warn the driver on the low key fob battery ,shouldn't it as you said

lnaukkar · 02-15-2018, 11:24 AM

Replaced the battery but no luck there.

Had my car software updated because of another matter just few days ago. This problem with the key started either a couple of days before or right after, not sure, since it's not the same key I had with me when I brought the car in for service. Could be related but I'm not 100 % sure. First I thought it might have been that the software update reduced the range somehow, but no. The other key works as before for all I can tell.

The key with the issue seems to require a line of sight and max 5-10 meters of distance before it works. And it's not location dependent either.

EpicSurge · 02-15-2018, 11:40 PM

This happened to me as well, of a sudden I have to be 6 feet at least to unlock the car, changed the batteries and still the same. This is my daily key fob only. Sometimes the touch entry doesn't work 100% because it cannot sense the key fob..

lnaukkar · 02-17-2018, 04:22 AM

I guess I have to visit the service about this. Don't want to do that every week, as I just was there last week, lets give them a week or so ... but I don't want to wait til the first service either, because I bet if I drop the key or get it scratched or some such, they won't be willing to replace it just like that. I would assume its fault with the key.

Flyingscotsman · 02-25-2018, 07:45 PM

I wonder if it's a 'security update' for the comfort access, to make it harder for thieves to clone the keys signal?
Is it the display key by any chance?

lnaukkar · 02-27-2018, 02:54 AM

Not a security update afaik, its just one key that bugs for me. I went over to the dealer and scheduled a service visit for next week. They told me it's likely the key is faulty and will be changed.

lnaukkar · 03-06-2018, 01:16 PM

So it was a problem with they key and I am now waiting for a new key from Germany.

Nivarox · 03-07-2018, 01:08 AM

I think that's the best solution ,it's unfortunate you have had this issue but I think it's fixed for good

badass335 · 03-03-2021, 04:49 PM

Just curious if this was resolved? I'm having the same issues all of a sudden. Sometimes the key isn't detected inside the car while I'm in the car trying to start it.

akuwes710 · 03-05-2021, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badass335

Just curious if this was resolved? I'm having the same issues all of a sudden. Sometimes the key isn't detected inside the car while I'm in the car trying to start it.

Had this a month ago. buttons also stop working intermittently even after new battery. Brought it to dealer, found fault within keyfob, replaced it under warranty

LuvMyE92 · 03-10-2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badass335

Just curious if this was resolved? I'm having the same issues all of a sudden. Sometimes the key isn't detected inside the car while I'm in the car trying to start it.

I've had the same problem. Natch the dealer can't replicate it, so they won't do anything.

It hasn't happened recently. And yes, the first thing I did was to replace the battery.

I also carry my fobs (I have more than one car) in my man purse, and the BMW would often not recognize the fob. I guess it couldn't transmit through two layers of leather. No other car, or previous BMW, has or had this issue. Now I carry the fob hanging on the outside of said man purse.

I ain't giving up my stylish accessory. LOL

badass335 · 03-10-2021, 11:35 AM

so my car is going back to dealership. I actually recorded videos so they can see what happens. I was actually driving and bluetooth cut out. Guess car lost contact with my key. Pulled over to try a few things. Shut car off, opened dorr to shut down car systems and then tried turning it back on, and "KEY NOT FOUND"

I literally have no range either. I literally have to be within 2-5ft of the car for the remote to lock or unlock the car. The door handle lock and unlock options don't always work as it doesn't register the key.

my SA and service manager are really good with me so they are working to get this figured out.

https://youtu.be/qwB0r2TPX4k

02-14-2018, 12:48 PM	#1
lnaukkar Private First Class 25 Rep 118 Posts Drives: G30 530e, F40 118i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Helsinki iTrader: (0)	Key fob range problem So, this happened. Now suddenly one of the keys requires me to stand next to the car while the other works just fine from a distance. The problem is with the key we have been using the most. Whats wrong? Could this be a key battery thing? Shouldn't the car tell when key battery is low?
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02-14-2018, 02:06 PM	#2
ztx84 First Lieutenant 187 Rep 302 Posts Drives: 2022 M4 Competition Xdrive Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	Definitely sounds like a key battery issue... particularly if the other fob works from a distance. You are right though, I thought the car should warn you about low key fob battery? I'd change the battery and see what happens.
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02-15-2018, 01:14 AM	#3
Nivarox Quadrex 1094 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: W212 Mercedes=Benz E Class Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Close To German Car Dealer iTrader: (0)	Battery replacement might be on the cards but I assume this car should pop out a warning message to warn the driver on the low key fob battery ,shouldn't it as you said __________________
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02-15-2018, 11:24 AM	#4
lnaukkar Private First Class 25 Rep 118 Posts Drives: G30 530e, F40 118i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Helsinki iTrader: (0)	Replaced the battery but no luck there. Had my car software updated because of another matter just few days ago. This problem with the key started either a couple of days before or right after, not sure, since it's not the same key I had with me when I brought the car in for service. Could be related but I'm not 100 % sure. First I thought it might have been that the software update reduced the range somehow, but no. The other key works as before for all I can tell. The key with the issue seems to require a line of sight and max 5-10 meters of distance before it works. And it's not location dependent either.
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02-15-2018, 11:40 PM	#5
EpicSurge Enlisted Member 12 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Flushing, Queens iTrader: (0)	This happened to me as well, of a sudden I have to be 6 feet at least to unlock the car, changed the batteries and still the same. This is my daily key fob only. Sometimes the touch entry doesn't work 100% because it cannot sense the key fob..
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02-17-2018, 04:22 AM	#6
lnaukkar Private First Class 25 Rep 118 Posts Drives: G30 530e, F40 118i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Helsinki iTrader: (0)	I guess I have to visit the service about this. Don't want to do that every week, as I just was there last week, lets give them a week or so ... but I don't want to wait til the first service either, because I bet if I drop the key or get it scratched or some such, they won't be willing to replace it just like that. I would assume its fault with the key.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2018, 07:45 PM	#7
Flyingscotsman Second Lieutenant 186 Rep 235 Posts Drives: G30 520d se Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I wonder if it's a 'security update' for the comfort access, to make it harder for thieves to clone the keys signal? Is it the display key by any chance?
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02-27-2018, 02:54 AM	#8
lnaukkar Private First Class 25 Rep 118 Posts Drives: G30 530e, F40 118i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Helsinki iTrader: (0)	Not a security update afaik, its just one key that bugs for me. I went over to the dealer and scheduled a service visit for next week. They told me it's likely the key is faulty and will be changed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2018, 01:16 PM	#9
lnaukkar Private First Class 25 Rep 118 Posts Drives: G30 530e, F40 118i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Helsinki iTrader: (0)	So it was a problem with they key and I am now waiting for a new key from Germany.
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03-07-2018, 01:08 AM	#10
Nivarox Quadrex 1094 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: W212 Mercedes=Benz E Class Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Close To German Car Dealer iTrader: (0)	I think that's the best solution ,it's unfortunate you have had this issue but I think it's fixed for good __________________
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03-03-2021, 04:49 PM	#11
badass335 Lieutenant Colonel 109 Rep 1,948 Posts Drives: 2017 540i Xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Surrey, BC iTrader: (10)	Just curious if this was resolved? I'm having the same issues all of a sudden. Sometimes the key isn't detected inside the car while I'm in the car trying to start it.
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03-10-2021, 11:35 AM	#14
badass335 Lieutenant Colonel 109 Rep 1,948 Posts Drives: 2017 540i Xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Surrey, BC iTrader: (10)	so my car is going back to dealership. I actually recorded videos so they can see what happens. I was actually driving and bluetooth cut out. Guess car lost contact with my key. Pulled over to try a few things. Shut car off, opened dorr to shut down car systems and then tried turning it back on, and "KEY NOT FOUND" I literally have no range either. I literally have to be within 2-5ft of the car for the remote to lock or unlock the car. The door handle lock and unlock options don't always work as it doesn't register the key. my SA and service manager are really good with me so they are working to get this figured out. https://youtu.be/qwB0r2TPX4k
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