[bimmette]

I'm 2 hours from home. Middle of nowhere. Car lost all power and I'm on the side of the road. Waiting for tow truck. I used the metal key from inside fob to open trunk. Then wanted to close roof before towing but now the metal key disappeared. Probably inside trunk. Does the fob have any function without the key inside? Why did my car die? The warning lights all blinked and then the dash went black before I lost power. Argh!!!!!

Update: Tow truck driver gave me just enough power to close the roof. All is good- just dreading the upcoming repair bill.

[Miller335]

I wouldn't think the metal part of the key would have to be in the FOB for the fob to work.

It sounds like your battery completely discharged or your alternator went bad and then your car consumed the battery.

Sorry you're stuck, either way it sounds like one of those two scenerios.
Hope you get it back on the road soon.

[335socal]

Just started my car without the manual key and it works.

[Karman]

Same thing happened to me, my negative terminal on the battery was dirty back in the trunk (right side).. I poured some coke on it and wiggled it and rubbed it down then was able to jump start the car right up. Good luck!

[335NJ]

Could be the IBS.

[climax_e92]

Check battery connections. happens sometimes.

[G07xG80]

Originally Posted by bimmette

I'm 2 hours from home. Middle of nowhere. Car lost all power and I'm on the side of the road. Waiting for tow truck. I used the metal key from inside fob to open trunk. Then wanted to close roof before towing but now the metal key disappeared. Probably inside trunk. Does the fob have any function without the key inside? Why did my car die? The warning lights all blinked and then the dash went black before I lost power. Argh!!!!!

Did everything work out? Did you find out what was wrong? Hope your ok! We can't afford to loose a true BMW bimmette

[bimmette]

Ugh!!!! Sometimes I hate my car (but still not enough to get rid of it). So after two hours, the tow truck showed up. He was able to give my car enough power to close my roof and open the trunk. I found my key. Unfortunately I couldn't get ahold of any indy on time and had to have it towed to a dealer which will be closed til Tuesday for our long weekend. FML.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by bimmette

Ugh!!!! Sometimes I hate my car (but still not enough to get rid of it). So after two hours, the tow truck showed up. He was able to give my car enough power to close my roof and open the trunk. I found my key. Unfortunately I couldn't get ahold of any indy on time and had to have it towed to a dealer which will be closed til Tuesday for our long weekend. FML.

Does it still show on the dash as not recognizing the key?

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Does it still show on the dash as not recognizing the key?

I didn't notice. I was just so happy he could close the roof since it will be sitting at a dealer for three nights before being looked at.

[paradoxical3]

This sounds exactly like the IBS battery cable issue. Glad you are safe and not on the side of the road.

[YouAreMyWorld]

That's a real shitty situation, but thankfully it seems that everything (for the most part) turned out well with you!

Keep us updated on what turns out to be the actual problem.

Stay safe!

[melloww22]

Sounds like your battery is dying. How old is it? Did you do the battery cable recall?

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by bimmette

I didn't notice. I was just so happy he could close the roof since it will be sitting at a dealer for three nights before being looked at.

There is a crank in the (sparse) toolkit in the trunk which can be used to manually crank shut the moonroof (it is all documented how to do this in the Owner Manual).

[jgoens]

Your radio problem a few days ago was a pre-cursor to the problems to come--usually problems don't fix themselves. Sounds like battery problem--as my SA was telling me the other day: the batteries on these cars have much more importance compared to other cars and older ones as so many systems unitize the battery.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Wilt

There is a crank in the (sparse) toolkit in the trunk which can be used to manually crank shut the moonroof (it is all documented how to do this in the Owner Manual).

She's talking about the convertible hardtop, and I don't know if there's a manual crank for that.

If the IBS goes bad, usually the computers in the car won't boot up, or some won't, which is why the CAS might throw a notice about not seeing a key, etc.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by melloww22

Sounds like your battery is dying. How old is it? Did you do the battery cable recall?

I hope that's all it is. I've had the car almost two years and haven't changed the battery yet.

Originally Posted by Wilt

There is a crank in the (sparse) toolkit in the trunk which can be used to manually crank shut the moonroof (it is all documented how to do this in the Owner Manual).

I have a hardtop convertible roof, but thanks anyways!

Originally Posted by jgoens

Your radio problem a few days ago was a pre-cursor to the problems to come--usually problems don't fix themselves. Sounds like battery problem--as my SA was telling me the other day: the batteries on these cars have much more importance compared to other cars and older ones as so many systems unitize the battery.

You're right about the pre-cursor. It's pretty pathetic that within a week, I'm posting two "help-urgent" threads. I really hope it's as simple as a battery problem.

[wilbur_the_goose]

A battery should last 4 years, unless you're in extremely hot or cold WX.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

A battery should last 4 years, unless you're in extremely hot or cold WX.

Ok thanks.

[bimmette]

So it was the altenator and battery. Ugh. Dealer is quoting a lot. How much for parts roughly?

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by bimmette

So it was the altenator and battery. Ugh. Dealer is quoting a lot. How much for parts roughly?

Well, it's a straight forward job, so I'd call around to some local Indy shops and get a quote from them also.

FWIW, ECS shows a Bosch reman alternator for ~$500.

[Monster900]

Originally Posted by bimmette

So it was the altenator and battery. Ugh. Dealer is quoting a lot. How much for parts roughly?

In Canada, for alternator ~ $800-900 and battery ~ $350-400 at the dealer.