[badass335]

I've been searching and seems a few people have reported issues but no clear fixes.
Have a 2017 540i with comfort access. Been running great for 6months without any issues then suddenly noticing the remote range is very minimal. By this I mean, when trying to unlock the car, I literally need to be beside it and im not talking about comfort access at this point. I'm using the unlock button.
Next issue, car randomly looses the key so my Bluetooth cuts out.. this is while I'm driving or even if I sit inside the car, system will say "key not detected". I've swapped out the remote battery, on BOTH my remotes and still same issue. Dealer had it today again and they have updated the idrive software but as I left the dealership, my SA came out and wanted to verify so walked up to car with both remotes and was almost a foot away before the car registered.

Anyone have these issues and what was done to fix them? I do have tint in the car and the techs were blaming the tint but then my response was, why is the key not detected WHILE I'm inside the car...

Any help or direction would be appreciated.

[badass335]

So just picked up car and second drive and of the day and bluetooth cuts out. I tried a few things and still nothing. Shut the car off, open door and close to shut off the car systems. Tried turning car on and remote not found again. Have another appointment with my dealer again. Problem is, there are no codes generated by the car hence troubleshooting is tough.

https://youtu.be/qwB0r2TPX4k

[StLMO]

Just purchased a used 2017 540 and having similar issues with comfort access and remotes. Seems like the car doesn't 'wake up' to recognize the key. I have to be 1-2 feet away for it to unlock. Happens when car is locked for a while.

I took it in a few weeks ago and they updated the software hoping that would fix it but it's intermittent. Found this SIB https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...52677-9999.pdf and plan on taking it back in this week to also check auto wipers. I'm thinking it's the key and like you my SA said they can't replace until they can reproduce t the issue.

[badass335]

Originally Posted by StLMO

Just purchased a used 2017 540 and having similar issues with comfort access and remotes. Seems like the car doesn't 'wake up' to recognize the key. I have to be 1-2 feet away for it to unlock. Happens when car is locked for a while.

I took it in a few weeks ago and they updated the software hoping that would fix it but it's intermittent. Found this SIB https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...52677-9999.pdf and plan on taking it back in this week to also check auto wipers. I'm thinking it's the key and like you my SA said they can't replace until they can reproduce t the issue.

Thanks for that SIB. I'll forward to my SA. I kept taking videos so BMW could see. I had the software updated to the latest and its even worse. Now out of every 2 drives, the key doesn't register for at least 1.

BMW says that there are 2 separate issues here. 1, the key being detected inside the car and second being the remote range. They wont do anything on the range issue as my car has tint. Until the tint is removed from ALL windows, they wont proceed further but the issue with key not detected inside the car, they will work on.

I'll update once they figure something out. Car goes in tomorrow.

[StLMO]

Great, keep me posted. I’m dropping mine off tomorrow for an alignment and have them look at the comfort access again. From what I see on realoem, the sensors are in the side skits for the lock/unlock, another one in the trunk and one in the column area. Not sure if that cuts down on the range but maybe consider having them keep the windows rolled down when servicing. Also, I know on my other bmws when battery is low, weird things start happening. I charged up my battery today with my ctek trickle charger. Didn’t really have time today to check if remote and keys were functioning normally but something else to consider. I’ll also let you know if my issue is resolved.

[badass335]

Originally Posted by StLMO

Great, keep me posted. I’m dropping mine off tomorrow for an alignment and have them look at the comfort access again. From what I see on realoem, the sensors are in the side skits for the lock/unlock, another one in the trunk and one in the column area. Not sure if that cuts down on the range but maybe consider having them keep the windows rolled down when servicing. Also, I know on my other bmws when battery is low, weird things start happening. I charged up my battery today with my ctek trickle charger. Didn’t really have time today to check if remote and keys were functioning normally but something else to consider. I’ll also let you know if my issue is resolved.

Thats actually a good point on the battery. Its not coding but i'll bring it up to them. I know they have multiple sensors for the key detection. I'll let them figure it out as they will have the car for the next few days. Will get this all looked at again. 3rd drop off in the last 2 weeks.

[badass335]

So BMW is going to change the Body Domain Controller (BDC) module for the car. Apparently it's on back order so just waiting for it to come in. I'll update once it's installed.

[StLMO]

Great news. I dropped mine off Friday morning and still waiting to hear back on my car.

[TommyGloves]

FWIW...I had the same issue last year. Dealer ended up replacing the keyfob and haven't had an issue since. (Didn't have the issue with the display key.)

[StLMO]

Quick update. Got the car back and things are working fine after my dealer replaced the key fob. They only replace one under warranty but I'm okay with that since it was awful before. Tech went through the steps in the SIB and even though they didn't see the same error codes, they verified remote was not working. Attached are pics of the new and old remotes. New one has M/N ID21A. Read another SIB when researching that the new ID21A remotes have upgraded range?

Unfortunately my wipers weren't covered. Appears previous owner or dealer had windshield replaced and whomever did the job did not reinstall the gel pad between the glass and sensor. $538 later for a new sensor and install, wipers are working great. Hope the module fixes your issues though I didn't get the Bluetooth issues like you're experiencing.

[badass335]

Thanks for all the updates. I'm glad you got your issues resolved. So in my case, the dealer is following the steps. I just dropped off the car this morning to have the BODY DOMAIN CONTROLLER replaced. Once that's done, i get to test and then see how it performs. The fact that both my keys are doing pretty much the same thing is where the dealer has concerns about replacing the keys. Logically it makes sense i guess.

I'll update everyone once i get the car back.

[badass335]

So got my car back and had the BDC replaced. Nothing has changed. I'm still getting the missing key issue and range is still brutal. My SA and dealership has been working hard on this. So apparently there is a SIB out there regarding the key range issue. I wasn't able to get the actual SIB unfortunately. If the key does not function at least 20meters away, they should replace them with the newer version ID21A. My dealership fought on my behalf and got both keys ordered under warranty and i didn't need to remove the tint thankfully.

My new keys should be here in 2-4weeks as it's not an emergency. Will update everyone when they arrive.

[StLMO]

Great news. I've had my new key for a little while and everything is performing as it should. Comfort access handle is resounding as it should and no more range issues.

[badass335]

Originally Posted by StLMO

Great news. I've had my new key for a little while and everything is performing as it should. Comfort access handle is resounding as it should and no more range issues.

That's awesome. Can't wait for the new keys. And hopefully if someone searches, they see this thread and can follow up with BMW instead of troubleshooting like we've had to.

[badass335]

So finally an update for all. Due to issues with BMW Germany supply, the dealers accidentally canceling the new key order etc, things got really delayed here. BUT, for all that were having or did have this issue, I got my new keys (2 new keys covered under warranty and ALL my problems are gone. The range issue has been resolved and I DIDNT REMOVE MY CERAMIC TINT. Also all remote key missing issues inside the car are gone as well as Bluetooth cutting out when loosing connection to keys.
YAY..

[[atlas]]

I've had the same issues with my car since I bought it (used) 6 months ago.

Comfort access - bad range/no connection sometimes.
Remote control - bad range/no connection sometimes.
"Key not detected" sometimes when I try to start. Along with that, the phone will not be connected.
"Key not detected" most times when the passenger door is opened, while I'm already in the car and engine running. Followed by the same issue with phone disconnected.

The dealer had the car 3 times before they could narrow it down to the keys.
They could replicate the problem all times but it wasn't until the third time when they said they found an error with the ID sensor (key).
And that it should be replaced by the new ID21A (version 2.1).
So now the dealer replaced both keys and all issues are gone