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      04-28-2021, 09:27 AM   #1
samej
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Comfort Access - Remote Issues

My car has in the past several months has had comfort acess issues:
-notification to replace batteries on my key fobs multiple times (as often a month since my last change)

- touch access on handles working intermittently, needing to press the remote twice or more to lock/unlock, having to hold the key up to the steering wheel to start.

I mentioned it last year when car went in last fall for service and they told me "my battery was in backwards" on my remote. mmm, Not sure I believe this. I know + from - and I would be shocked if the remote worked at all if the battery were mis-installed. Besides that sent me home to look at how I'd installed the battery in my wife's remote and it was in fine.

Any one experienced issues that may provide a clue as to what to ask the service guys to look at?

TIA,
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      04-28-2021, 09:36 AM   #2
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Besides a problem with the comfort access system itself which most likely is due to damaged or failing antenna in this case, some other things that could be causing the problem:

- RFI interference from electrical grid or radio transmission sources - typically exhibited if the problem only occurs in specific locations
- Cheap batteries from online sources such as eBay that are either old or counterfeit
- Faulty remote
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      04-28-2021, 10:22 AM   #3
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I had a similar issue with my X7, #2 from aerobod's post, I try and replace my remote batteries yearly.

I had bought the batteries on amazon and apparently the quality wasn't quite there. I changed to a name brand battery and all is fine now. I hope it is as simple as that for you.
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      04-28-2021, 01:54 PM   #4
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Thanks folks. Will try a full priced name brand battery next I think.
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      04-28-2021, 04:10 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samej View Post
My car has in the past several months has had comfort access issues:

- touch access on handles working intermittently, needing to press the remote twice or more to lock/unlock
Quote:
Originally Posted by samej View Post
Thanks folks. Will try a full priced name brand battery next I think.
I had this happen 42 months after the car was manufactured. It was at the dealer for its 2nd oil change and the battery was replaced. Everything has been fine since then.

The work order line showed "REPLACE THE KEY FOB BATTERY EVERY SECOND OIL CHANGE OR DUE TO WARNINGS ON THE CLUSTER STATING CHARGE LOW.". The part number was 61319217643 (see realoem image below). They're not inexpensive if bought from a dealer, but presumably we can count on them working.

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      05-02-2021, 07:43 AM   #6
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I have been buying small electronics batteries from Battery Bob online for over a decade. All name brands, great prices, great service.
I must say, though, that I have never experienced the issues that OP outlines with any of my BMW keys and I don't change the batteries very often. I suspect that the problem lies elsewhere than the battery.
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      05-05-2021, 02:12 PM   #7
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I have the same issue with my fob. Put in new FOB battery about 2 weeks after I got the car because of the doors not locking/unlocking, trunk not opening, car not starting and dashboard saying no remote detected. Fob was good for about 2-3 weeks and then again intermittent door and trunk not opening and car not starting.
Then I read that the distance from FOB to car may be an issue (as I leave all my keys just inside the door that leads to the garage) and that this may drain FOB battery. So I replaced battery again and now take my keys upstairs. Coming up on 2 weeks so I'll see what happens.
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      05-06-2021, 06:45 PM   #8
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You can buy the VARTA CR 2450 battery from Walmart for 6 bucks or you can buy the same exact battery in a plastic bag that says BMW on it for 15 bucks. Which you choose might say something about you. Not judging
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      05-06-2021, 06:57 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocky58 View Post
You can buy the VARTA CR 2450 battery from Walmart for 6 bucks or you can buy the same exact battery in a plastic bag that says BMW on it for 15 bucks. Which you choose might say something about you. Not judging
My interest generally is in the reliability of the supplier, and I don't think there's a meaningful difference between Walmart and BMW.
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      05-07-2021, 09:43 AM   #10
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any updates from OP? Curious what happened
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      05-08-2021, 02:05 PM   #11
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Nor should the manufacturer matter. 2450 is 2450, as long as it is from a name-brand manufacturer. I have used Duracell with no ill effects. I am sure that Energizer would be fine too, and that brand comes with its own bunny.
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      05-08-2021, 07:01 PM   #12
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if under w'tee take it back, CA is a pain to fault find, you can use ista and inpa, sounds like an aerial (ista can diagnose which one) do you have any codes

"usually" CA has something like 8 or 9 antennas, 1 in each door handle 3 in the cabin one in the boot

The are all on a K-can bus, which goes to a comfort access module which in turn interfaces with the CAS module

depending on whats broke, depends on what is failed, but what you describe sounds like either a bad antenna/loose cable or problematic CA module, in the trunk, wheel well (gets wet hmmm bad day)

(at least thats what it is on the 1'ers, could be different on the 2 series

Quote:
Originally Posted by samej View Post
My car has in the past several months has had comfort acess issues:
-notification to replace batteries on my key fobs multiple times (as often a month since my last change)

- touch access on handles working intermittently, needing to press the remote twice or more to lock/unlock, having to hold the key up to the steering wheel to start.

I mentioned it last year when car went in last fall for service and they told me "my battery was in backwards" on my remote. mmm, Not sure I believe this. I know + from - and I would be shocked if the remote worked at all if the battery were mis-installed. Besides that sent me home to look at how I'd installed the battery in my wife's remote and it was in fine.

Any one experienced issues that may provide a clue as to what to ask the service guys to look at?

TIA,
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      05-08-2021, 07:08 PM   #13
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sorry a few more thoughts,

I "think" (battery reveresed) the key would still work in sorts, for example to start, but the battery is usually for the comfort access things like door touch, open close windows top etc, but it wouldnt work intermittantly, it just would stop all the time

What you could do, is reset the modules to an extent, pul the battery negative, and leave it for like an hour.

If you have ISTA, you can reset the relevant modules as well

I'd also check the battery, I "believe" that when the battery is having problems, the IBS starts to stop certain things (which are not essential) from working, so I would again use ISTA, to see what charging issues you may have

There is also a part were you can see if the car keeps waking , if a current drain is between 80-200ma, the IBS wakes up the DME, I have some screenshots, but unless you have ista the point is moot.

so in short

1> try a battery reset (neg off)
2> check car battery connections
3> check if car battery has any charging issues
4> check for codes
5> check in ista to diagnose the antennas
6> drive into BMW


Quote:
Originally Posted by samej View Post
My car has in the past several months has had comfort acess issues:
-notification to replace batteries on my key fobs multiple times (as often a month since my last change)

- touch access on handles working intermittently, needing to press the remote twice or more to lock/unlock, having to hold the key up to the steering wheel to start.

I mentioned it last year when car went in last fall for service and they told me "my battery was in backwards" on my remote. mmm, Not sure I believe this. I know + from - and I would be shocked if the remote worked at all if the battery were mis-installed. Besides that sent me home to look at how I'd installed the battery in my wife's remote and it was in fine.

Any one experienced issues that may provide a clue as to what to ask the service guys to look at?

TIA,
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      05-08-2021, 07:10 PM   #14
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the button battery in this case is NOT the problem, if buying a cheap chinese knock off will be HOW LONG the battery life is, the functions will all work. for a day, week month or year
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      05-08-2021, 07:14 PM   #15
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NO, I don't think that is it, it uses RFID to lock and unlock, it's a one way thing, the car doesnt check to see if the key is in range, only when you press the button does the key do it's thing, I don't exactly understand how the RFID works per se, but that should not run your battery down.

What I know will fail it, if your key is in your pocket and your cellphone is in the near vicinity, like in the same pocket, you will often get a "can't find remote" error or the comfort start wont work.

When I stopped putting the keys in the same pocket, never happened again

(again 1'er CA)

Also when your in the car one of 3 aerials need to detect the key for example if the key is OUTSIDE the cabin, wont start.

That could be a problem, but try the key without phone sceranrio

just a thought, the "KEY" could be faulty, perhaps the membrane in the key is making a circuit too easily, so when you key is upside down, in your pocket etc it's making contact, if your brave, take it apart and clean the membrane and check all the contacts, also try a new key

Quote:
Originally Posted by bongko View Post
I have the same issue with my fob. Put in new FOB battery about 2 weeks after I got the car because of the doors not locking/unlocking, trunk not opening, car not starting and dashboard saying no remote detected. Fob was good for about 2-3 weeks and then again intermittent door and trunk not opening and car not starting.
Then I read that the distance from FOB to car may be an issue (as I leave all my keys just inside the door that leads to the garage) and that this may drain FOB battery. So I replaced battery again and now take my keys upstairs. Coming up on 2 weeks so I'll see what happens.
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      05-09-2021, 12:10 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nazali View Post
NO, I don't think that is it, it uses RFID to lock and unlock, it's a one way thing, the car doesnt check to see if the key is in range, only when you press the button does the key do it's thing, I don't exactly understand how the RFID works per se, but that should not run your battery down.

What I know will fail it, if your key is in your pocket and your cellphone is in the near vicinity, like in the same pocket, you will often get a "can't find remote" error or the comfort start wont work.

When I stopped putting the keys in the same pocket, never happened again

(again 1'er CA)

Also when your in the car one of 3 aerials need to detect the key for example if the key is OUTSIDE the cabin, wont start.

That could be a problem, but try the key without phone sceranrio

just a thought, the "KEY" could be faulty, perhaps the membrane in the key is making a circuit too easily, so when you key is upside down, in your pocket etc it's making contact, if your brave, take it apart and clean the membrane and check all the contacts, also try a new key
I usually don't put my keys in the same pocket as my phone as I have the samsung note but I can't say I've never done it. I will definitely be more mindful to see if it makes a difference.
On the other hand I bought Loopcell batteries from Amazon (10 pack for ~$7) so maybe it could be the battery not lasting as long. I'm about 3 weeks in from the last change using the same pack of batteries and haven't had any issues yet. Since I'm out of warranty it doesn't bother me too much to just change the battery out as long as the problem doesn't get worse.
The wife has the second set of keys which is always in her purse upstairs in the bedroom and I haven't had to replace her FOB battery yet. Then again I never really let her drive the car. HAHAHA
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      05-09-2021, 09:00 AM   #17
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The type of battery shouldn't really make "that much of a difference", batteries are all really made by the same selection of people for lot's of vendors, a bit like detergents.

They just stick a no-name brand on. I always tend to get if I can Duracell.

If I see a battery a 1/4 of the price I don't buy it, but I think you've hit the nail on the head, the missing part of the puzzle.

YOUR WIFE, it's not your car at all, it's your key fob 100%, try using her keys for a while. (check which type of battery she has)

At this point I'm totally suspecting a faulty key fob

The wife has the second set of keys which is always in her purse upstairs in the bedroom and I haven't had to replace her FOB battery yet.
Then again I never really let her drive the car. HAHAHA
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      05-26-2021, 03:19 AM   #18
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Just an update, the battery died again. Lasted maybe a week or two longer then the last one. Replaced it and normal again. I have 6 more batteries so will use them all up and then use premium battery.
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      05-26-2021, 06:38 AM   #19
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Just curious: what brand of battery are you using and how old are they?
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      05-26-2021, 11:34 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morphomeman View Post
Just curious: what brand of battery are you using and how old are they?
https://www.amazon.com/Loopacell-245...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I opened a new one to see if there is a date stamp and nothing.
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      05-26-2021, 12:08 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bongko View Post
https://www.amazon.com/Loopacell-245...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I opened a new one to see if there is a date stamp and nothing.
When I go to Amazon, I start with the 1-star reviews. I've learned to take those reviews very seriously when considering products like the one you purchased.

In the case of the Loopacell 2450s, I wouldn't have gotten any further than the price, which is so far into 'you get what you pay for' that I would have moved on.
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      05-26-2021, 07:01 PM   #22
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Test the voltage on one of the new batteries. I'd be curious to see where it is out of the package. Probably far less than the 3V it's supposed to be.
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