Key fob locked in trunk.

Fly320s · 07-24-2020, 08:24 PM

I know this has been discussed here before, but I have a different solution that might work for someone else.

The setup:

2014 228i. Parked in an airport garage a solid hour from home.

My keys were in my bag as I went to my car. When I got close to the trunk, I was able to open it without taking my keys out. Then I threw my bag in the trunk, closed the trunk, and walked to the driver's door. That is when I discovered my mistake.

In case you aren't aware, the car can not or does not sense the key fob when it is in the trunk. At least on my car. I've read that some newer cars have measures to prevent this from happening.

At Boston Logan airport, MassPort has tow trucks that will come by and pop the door open for you at no charge. They were quick and nice and didn't damage anything. Call the Mass State Police barracks at Logan for that service.

So, I was able to get into the cabin of my car, but the trunk release button would not work without the key fob being "seen" by the car. No fob = no power to the system. I tried every way I could think of to get the trunk to release, but no joy.

Google and Youtube and even this forum had a couple of ideas, but they didn't work. Nor did BMW roadside assistance or the local dealers. No one had a solution other that to try to get into the trunk somehow.

My rear seats are 60/40 split fold down, but there is no center armrest or pass through, so I couldn't reach the release lever, which is in the trunk, to get them to fold down. I couldn't go through the rear speaker holes because there is some structure underneath them that prevented me from reaching into the trunk area. I tried using a straightened coat hanger pushed through the gap between the seats to grab the emergency trunk release, but that was not working. The release is secured to the top rear of the trunk lid with a small tab and the handle lays flat against the trunk.

When I was sitting there trying to decide my next steps, I saw a flashing light under the driver's side of the dash. I had forgotton I had a bluetooth OBDII adapter there that talks to my Torque and BimmerCode apps. I connected to the bluetooth, launched BimmerCode and about 2 minutes later my ignition turned on giving me power to pop the trunk. Success!

So, if you don't want to hide a spare key on your car and you already have one of the OBDII adapters, just leave that in your car as the backup "key." I was able to start the car with the key still in the trunk; I checked just to see if it would work. That would have gotten me home or to a dealer or wherever if I had lost my key.

I also checked to see if I could stand outside the car and get a connection. It didn't work, but I need to try a couple of other things to see if I can make it work. It looks like the OBDII port is not powered while the car is just sitting there.

BrettKA7 · 07-24-2020, 09:23 PM

I never would have even thought of the possibility of the key getting stuck in the trunk. Wow.

It's always really frustrating standing there with the key literally inside the cup holder but the trunk absolutely will not open from the trunk handle. Not sure why BMW chose to do it that way.

PDM5 · 07-24-2020, 11:16 PM

Could Connected Drive (assuming you have it) have helped? Genuine question as I've only used it to see how much fuel I have left in the tank when I'm away from the car. I guess it would be of no help if you accidentally had your phone with the keys in the trunk!

If all else fails, every movie I've seen has showed me that if I just pull down on a panel under the steering wheel, the wires to hotwire the car are perfectly spliced and I just need to put two random wires together to get the car started. Give that a try.

Fly320s · 07-25-2020, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDM5

Could Connected Drive (assuming you have it) have helped? Genuine question as I've only used it to see how much fuel I have left in the tank when I'm away from the car. I guess it would be of no help if you accidentally had your phone with the keys in the trunk!

Probably. I spoke with BMW roadside assistance and they wanted to send a signal to unlock my doors, but my car doesn't have that feature. I'm assuming that they can unlock the trunk, too, or somehow turn on the accessory power so the trunk release button works.

For anyone who has been putting off getting a spare key, like me, go ahead and bite the bullet and do it. Yeah, it is expensive, but it could save you in the long run.

harma24 · 07-25-2020, 08:33 AM

Interesting. I've placed my golf bag in my trunk and closed it, only to have it pop open immediately. Was confused for about half a second, then extremely grateful when I realized my key was still in my golf bag!

How did you start your car with BimmerCode? It's been a while since I've used it, but from what I recall, I had to hit the start button in order for the OBDII adapter to work.

Fly320s · 07-25-2020, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

Interesting. I've placed my golf bag in my trunk and closed it, only to have it pop open immediately. Was confused for about half a second, then extremely grateful when I realized my key was still in my golf bag!

How did you start your car with BimmerCode? It's been a while since I've used it, but from what I recall, I had to hit the start button in order for the OBDII adapter to work.

I've heard that the newer cars have sensors in the trunk to prevent the keys getting locked in there. Someone posted in another thread that if you close the trunk again, it will lock.

When I connected my phone to the OBD adapter and started BimmerCode it took a minute or two for the car to turn on. It turned on to the ignition position, not the accessory position, so all I had to do was hit the start button one time to start the car. I'm surprised it worked, but happy it did.

nikijack · 07-25-2020, 08:45 AM

I had a 1969 BMW 1600/2. It was impossible to lock the key in the trunk or cab. I thought that was pretty clever. Wish cars were like that now.

Jack

B58togo · 07-25-2020, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

Interesting. I've placed my golf bag in my trunk and closed it, only to have it pop open immediately. Was confused for about half a second, then extremely grateful when I realized my key was still in my golf bag!

How did you start your car with BimmerCode? It's been a while since I've used it, but from what I recall, I had to hit the start button in order for the OBDII adapter to work.

Yeah, my 2017 won't let me lock the fob in the trunk.

Winemaker2 · 07-25-2020, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

Interesting. I've placed my golf bag in my trunk and closed it, only to have it pop open immediately. Was confused for about half a second, then extremely grateful when I realized my key was still in my golf bag!

How did you start your car with BimmerCode? It's been a while since I've used it, but from what I recall, I had to hit the start button in order for the OBDII adapter to work.

I did this twice with my 2017 230i and each time, thankfully, the trunk didn't engage.

Lucky13 · 07-25-2020, 08:01 PM

Locked my fob in my trunk after running and throwing my wet gear back in the trunk without unlocking the doors. I was SOL but only lived 2.5 miles away and got an extra run in. Biggest issue is or was my phone was in my car.

Climate Changer · 07-27-2020, 10:54 AM

I will share a simmalar story in case this also happens to anyone.

I had to disconnect the battery in the truck for a reboot. I by accident closed the truck. I had the fob which became useless without the car battery. The only thing that worked for me was to jump start the car with a power pack. It took a few tries but the car finally had some juice to open the trunk and reconnect the battery.

why no manual trunk release or using the key in the fob to open.

morphomeman · 07-27-2020, 04:21 PM

Did this happen with a 2018? My impression was that cars from 2015 on would not lock with the key inside, including the trunk. Or is is maybe having comfort access?

Moflow · 07-27-2020, 05:01 PM

Jeez. I almost never use my rear seats. I think i might just roll around with them upright but unlatched so I can just yank em down from the front whenever i might need to access the trunk.

BetweenTheWheels · 07-29-2020, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harma24

Interesting. I've placed my golf bag in my trunk and closed it, only to have it pop open immediately. Was confused for about half a second, then extremely grateful when I realized my key was still in my golf bag!

How did you start your car with BimmerCode? It's been a while since I've used it, but from what I recall, I had to hit the start button in order for the OBDII adapter to work.

Same thing happened to me at the airport today when I left my key in my carry on. Car beeped, lights flashed and the trunk remained unlatched. I even said out loud to my car, 'thanks for being smarter than I am.'

Climate Changer · 07-30-2020, 11:28 AM

I have tested locking the fob in the trunk with mixed results. 2018 F23.

if the fob is in a bag or a coat. sometimes it senses it. depending how deep it's in there. Dropping the fob in the trunk and closing it works.

Poochie · 07-30-2020, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetweenTheWheels

Same thing happened to me at the airport today when I left my key in my carry on. Car beeped, lights flashed and the trunk remained unlatched. I even said out loud to my car, 'thanks for being smarter than I am.'

Only if you vehicle has Comfort Access does the vehicle detect a key fob is left in the trunk, its not specific to the model year, as they are all the same.

Fly320s · 07-30-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poochie

Only if you vehicle has Comfort Access does the vehicle detect a key fob is left in the trunk, its not specific to the model year, as they are all the same.

My car has comfort access, but it didn't help me. I'll have to try dropping just the keys in there and see if it works.

Poochie · 07-30-2020, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly320s

My car has comfort access, but it didn't help me. I'll have to try dropping just the keys in there and see if it works.

Hmm... That's odd, I just tried it and it would not lock the trunk. (US Spec, 2016 M2).

I figure that was the MO of Comfort Access, to prevent situations such as this..

Pahaps, the battery in the key fob might be low or just missed the communication..

Kendapau · 08-02-2020, 08:00 PM

I did the same in my 2016 F23 Convertible. The convertible trunk is pretty tight... I called BMW Connect and - get this - my dealer never changed the owner info with BMW NA. So I was SOL. At least I was at a Wegmans food store. So I got the sales manager to switch ownership info (it is a CPO). So the approved locksmith comes out. He opens the door with a slim Jim setup but can't pick the trunk lock. I get another guy he recommends to come out. He has a universal key programmer and universal OBDII hacker and pops the trunk by simulating a key command. I bet anybody with one of those can drive away no problem!

Rayscott · 08-04-2020, 09:52 AM

Thanks for that information. I will try to remember not to do that.

07-24-2020, 08:24 PM	#1
Fly320s Private First Class 1557 Rep 140 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: NH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2C [5.50]	Key fob locked in trunk. I know this has been discussed here before, but I have a different solution that might work for someone else. The setup: 2014 228i. Parked in an airport garage a solid hour from home. My keys were in my bag as I went to my car. When I got close to the trunk, I was able to open it without taking my keys out. Then I threw my bag in the trunk, closed the trunk, and walked to the driver's door. That is when I discovered my mistake. In case you aren't aware, the car can not or does not sense the key fob when it is in the trunk. At least on my car. I've read that some newer cars have measures to prevent this from happening. At Boston Logan airport, MassPort has tow trucks that will come by and pop the door open for you at no charge. They were quick and nice and didn't damage anything. Call the Mass State Police barracks at Logan for that service. So, I was able to get into the cabin of my car, but the trunk release button would not work without the key fob being "seen" by the car. No fob = no power to the system. I tried every way I could think of to get the trunk to release, but no joy. Google and Youtube and even this forum had a couple of ideas, but they didn't work. Nor did BMW roadside assistance or the local dealers. No one had a solution other that to try to get into the trunk somehow. My rear seats are 60/40 split fold down, but there is no center armrest or pass through, so I couldn't reach the release lever, which is in the trunk, to get them to fold down. I couldn't go through the rear speaker holes because there is some structure underneath them that prevented me from reaching into the trunk area. I tried using a straightened coat hanger pushed through the gap between the seats to grab the emergency trunk release, but that was not working. The release is secured to the top rear of the trunk lid with a small tab and the handle lays flat against the trunk. When I was sitting there trying to decide my next steps, I saw a flashing light under the driver's side of the dash. I had forgotton I had a bluetooth OBDII adapter there that talks to my Torque and BimmerCode apps. I connected to the bluetooth, launched BimmerCode and about 2 minutes later my ignition turned on giving me power to pop the trunk. Success! So, if you don't want to hide a spare key on your car and you already have one of the OBDII adapters, just leave that in your car as the backup "key." I was able to start the car with the key still in the trunk; I checked just to see if it would work. That would have gotten me home or to a dealer or wherever if I had lost my key. I also checked to see if I could stand outside the car and get a connection. It didn't work, but I need to try a couple of other things to see if I can make it work. It looks like the OBDII port is not powered while the car is just sitting there.
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07-24-2020, 09:23 PM	#2
BrettKA7 Captain 567 Rep 776 Posts Drives: F22 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Huntington Beach iTrader: (0)	I never would have even thought of the possibility of the key getting stuck in the trunk. Wow. It's always really frustrating standing there with the key literally inside the cup holder but the trunk absolutely will not open from the trunk handle. Not sure why BMW chose to do it that way. __________________ M240i \| Mineral White \| Coral Red
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07-24-2020, 11:16 PM	#3
PDM5 Second Lieutenant 150 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2017 240i 6 Speed Join Date: May 2014 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	Could Connected Drive (assuming you have it) have helped? Genuine question as I've only used it to see how much fuel I have left in the tank when I'm away from the car. I guess it would be of no help if you accidentally had your phone with the keys in the trunk! If all else fails, every movie I've seen has showed me that if I just pull down on a panel under the steering wheel, the wires to hotwire the car are perfectly spliced and I just need to put two random wires together to get the car started. Give that a try.
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07-25-2020, 08:33 AM	#5
harma24 Captain 403 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	Interesting. I've placed my golf bag in my trunk and closed it, only to have it pop open immediately. Was confused for about half a second, then extremely grateful when I realized my key was still in my golf bag! How did you start your car with BimmerCode? It's been a while since I've used it, but from what I recall, I had to hit the start button in order for the OBDII adapter to work. __________________ Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude \| 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition \| 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible
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07-25-2020, 08:45 AM	#7
nikijack Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i, Grey, manual Join Date: May 2010 Location: Markdale, On, Canada iTrader: (0)	I had a 1969 BMW 1600/2. It was impossible to lock the key in the trunk or cab. I thought that was pretty clever. Wish cars were like that now. Jack
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07-25-2020, 08:01 PM	#10
Lucky13 Lucky13 211 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, S.C. iTrader: (0)	Locked my fob in my trunk after running and throwing my wet gear back in the trunk without unlocking the doors. I was SOL but only lived 2.5 miles away and got an extra run in. Biggest issue is or was my phone was in my car. __________________ 1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
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07-27-2020, 10:54 AM	#11
Climate Changer Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xdrive convertible Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 230i xdrive co ... [0.00] 2019 x3 [0.00]	I will share a simmalar story in case this also happens to anyone. I had to disconnect the battery in the truck for a reboot. I by accident closed the truck. I had the fob which became useless without the car battery. The only thing that worked for me was to jump start the car with a power pack. It took a few tries but the car finally had some juice to open the trunk and reconnect the battery. why no manual trunk release or using the key in the fob to open.
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07-27-2020, 04:21 PM	#12
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	Did this happen with a 2018? My impression was that cars from 2015 on would not lock with the key inside, including the trunk. Or is is maybe having comfort access?
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07-27-2020, 05:01 PM	#13
Moflow Lieutenant Colonel 2485 Rep 1,602 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6MT Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Jeez. I almost never use my rear seats. I think i might just roll around with them upright but unlatched so I can just yank em down from the front whenever i might need to access the trunk.
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07-30-2020, 11:28 AM	#15
Climate Changer Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xdrive convertible Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 230i xdrive co ... [0.00] 2019 x3 [0.00]	I have tested locking the fob in the trunk with mixed results. 2018 F23. if the fob is in a bag or a coat. sometimes it senses it. depending how deep it's in there. Dropping the fob in the trunk and closing it works.
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08-02-2020, 08:00 PM	#19
Kendapau New Member 5 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 228i XDrive Converible Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Frederick, MD iTrader: (0)	I did the same in my 2016 F23 Convertible. The convertible trunk is pretty tight... I called BMW Connect and - get this - my dealer never changed the owner info with BMW NA. So I was SOL. At least I was at a Wegmans food store. So I got the sales manager to switch ownership info (it is a CPO). So the approved locksmith comes out. He opens the door with a slim Jim setup but can't pick the trunk lock. I get another guy he recommends to come out. He has a universal key programmer and universal OBDII hacker and pops the trunk by simulating a key command. I bet anybody with one of those can drive away no problem! Last edited by Kendapau; 08-02-2020 at 08:30 PM..
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08-04-2020, 09:52 AM	#20
Rayscott Major 376 Rep 1,154 Posts Drives: BMW 228ix Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lewes DE iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that information. I will try to remember not to do that.
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