Weird alert when starting the engine

MarcoZandrini · 04-19-2023, 12:39 PM

I went to start the engine (the engine was hot) and I received an alert in the gauge cluster (bottom right) and on the idrive. Basically they were telling me my key had an issue and that the engine wouldn't start. The engine started anyway. I shut off the engine and restarted the engine without issue. Any ideas? The key battery is about 6 months old.

Kernel Kurtz · 04-20-2023, 04:32 PM

This happens to me very occasionally (and did in my previous BMWs as well). I suspect it is an artifact of a temporarily bad fob signal for whatever reason. I think it can be safely ignored, that has always worked for me. If it happens all the time then it probably is your fob battery.

MarcoZandrini · 04-21-2023, 07:16 AM

Thanks for the response. I replaced the battery in both of my fobs last fall. The first batteries failed within 5 days! Had bought them from amazon. Found out that they were counterfeit. Replaced them with reputable batteries.

freakystyly · 04-21-2023, 09:21 AM

Same happened to me when I used some generic amazon fob batteries. The fob could still unlock from 300 feet away but wouldn't recognize the key when sitting in the drivers seat.

MarcoZandrini · 04-21-2023, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Same happened to me when I used some generic amazon fob batteries. The fob could still unlock from 300 feet away but wouldn't recognize the key when sitting in the drivers seat.

Good to know. Thanks!

Kernel Kurtz · 04-21-2023, 01:12 PM

I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, but batteries are one thing I definitely avoid there.

ferntrouble · 11-13-2023, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, but batteries are one thing I definitely avoid there.

Same to me.

nazali · 11-21-2023, 01:33 PM

same here, I at times get that, more on the 1 series not on the 2, I think it's something to do where the fob is, if it's in your pocket near a phone it blocks it

as for batteries, I use Amazon stuff inclduing batteries. I got a pack of sealed OEM Panasonic batteries NO problems, in date and works fine

nazali · 11-21-2023, 01:35 PM

Don't use generic, use a named brand, Panasonics are totally fine
Most batteries like other things are made in the same sweatshop in China and they just slap a different sticker/badge/name on it

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Same happened to me when I used some generic amazon fob batteries. The fob could still unlock from 300 feet away but wouldn't recognize the key when sitting in the drivers seat.

freakystyly · 11-22-2023, 06:13 AM

Used Engergizers this time around and still only got about a half year of daily use before the fob was having troubles at the ignition. I wonder if it could be my main battery being weak too. It might need replacing this winter.

04-19-2023, 12:39 PM	#1
MarcoZandrini Major 444 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Weird alert when starting the engine I went to start the engine (the engine was hot) and I received an alert in the gauge cluster (bottom right) and on the idrive. Basically they were telling me my key had an issue and that the engine wouldn't start. The engine started anyway. I shut off the engine and restarted the engine without issue. Any ideas? The key battery is about 6 months old.
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04-20-2023, 04:32 PM	#2
Kernel Kurtz Major 345 Rep 1,012 Posts Drives: 2020 M240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada iTrader: (0)	This happens to me very occasionally (and did in my previous BMWs as well). I suspect it is an artifact of a temporarily bad fob signal for whatever reason. I think it can be safely ignored, that has always worked for me. If it happens all the time then it probably is your fob battery.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-21-2023, 07:16 AM	#3
MarcoZandrini Major 444 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the response. I replaced the battery in both of my fobs last fall. The first batteries failed within 5 days! Had bought them from amazon. Found out that they were counterfeit. Replaced them with reputable batteries.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-21-2023, 09:21 AM	#4
freakystyly Lieutenant Colonel 2934 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Same happened to me when I used some generic amazon fob batteries. The fob could still unlock from 300 feet away but wouldn't recognize the key when sitting in the drivers seat.
	Appreciate 1 nazali1298.00 Quote

04-21-2023, 01:12 PM	#6
Kernel Kurtz Major 345 Rep 1,012 Posts Drives: 2020 M240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada iTrader: (0)	I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, but batteries are one thing I definitely avoid there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-21-2023, 01:33 PM	#8
nazali Major 1298 Rep 1,146 Posts Drives: 230 2020 vert F23 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Total Wack Job iTrader: (0)	same here, I at times get that, more on the 1 series not on the 2, I think it's something to do where the fob is, if it's in your pocket near a phone it blocks it as for batteries, I use Amazon stuff inclduing batteries. I got a pack of sealed OEM Panasonic batteries NO problems, in date and works fine
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2023, 06:13 AM	#10
freakystyly Lieutenant Colonel 2934 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Used Engergizers this time around and still only got about a half year of daily use before the fob was having troubles at the ignition. I wonder if it could be my main battery being weak too. It might need replacing this winter.
	Appreciate 0 Quote