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Key fob not working

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Steely
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Key fob not working

Post by Steely » Mon Nov 13, 2017 3:23 am

Latest issue ✌️ Tried the spare key fob today, worked ok, went out for a drive for an hour, left it for half an hour or so, when I got back it wouldn’t open, had to use the key 😦 I read that it’s a fixed rechargeable battery, but some people have forced it open and replaced it, what are my options?
β€” 07 BMW Z4M Coupe β€” 76 BMW 2002 β€” 75 ALFA GT Junior β€” 84 AUDI Coupe β€” 93 SAAB 900c β€”

raymond.harper
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Key fob not working

Post by raymond.harper » Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:44 am


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MACK
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Key fob not working

Post by MACK » Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:12 am

+1
The battery itself about Β£5 from eBay etc. I done this repair 4 or 5 times for friends/family with E46 and it's pretty easy even for a novice. All you need is soldering iron and solder obviously.
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Steely
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Key fob not working

Post by Steely » Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:20 pm

Good grief! What a pain for a battery swap!
β€” 07 BMW Z4M Coupe β€” 76 BMW 2002 β€” 75 ALFA GT Junior β€” 84 AUDI Coupe β€” 93 SAAB 900c β€”

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Key fob not working

Post by MACK » Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:36 pm

Steely wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:20 pm Good grief! What a pain for a battery swap!
It actually not that hard really. Hardest bit is getting the case open, which isn't rocket science. I guess when you consider the cost of a new one its got to worth a go.
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Steely
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Key fob not working

Post by Steely » Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:30 pm

MACK wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:36 pm
Steely wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:20 pm Good grief! What a pain for a battery swap!
It actually not that hard really. Hardest bit is getting the case open, which isn't rocket science. I guess when you consider the cost of a new one its got to worth a go.
It might not be difficult, but it’s hardly unscrew the back and pop in a new battery, oh well, I will give it another try before cutting it open haha, it will be the spare anyway.
β€” 07 BMW Z4M Coupe β€” 76 BMW 2002 β€” 75 ALFA GT Junior β€” 84 AUDI Coupe β€” 93 SAAB 900c β€”

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Key fob not working

Post by MACK » Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:32 pm

Steely wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:30 pm
MACK wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:36 pm
Steely wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:20 pm Good grief! What a pain for a battery swap!
It actually not that hard really. Hardest bit is getting the case open, which isn't rocket science. I guess when you consider the cost of a new one its got to worth a go.
It might not be difficult, but it’s hardly unscrew the back and pop in a new battery, oh well, I will give it another try before cutting it open haha, it will be the spare anyway.
You could try the toothbrush charger trick before cutting it open. Might get you a bit longer out of it.
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Steely
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Key fob not working

Post by Steely » Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:55 pm

Ah, the toothbrush trick (quickly Google’s Bmw key toothbrush trick) πŸ˜‚
β€” 07 BMW Z4M Coupe β€” 76 BMW 2002 β€” 75 ALFA GT Junior β€” 84 AUDI Coupe β€” 93 SAAB 900c β€”

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Key fob not working

Post by Steely » Wed Nov 15, 2017 9:51 pm

Steely wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:55 pm Ah, the toothbrush trick (quickly Google’s Bmw key toothbrush trick) πŸ˜‚
I left it overnight on the toothbrush charger, and it works again! Thanks for the tip.
β€” 07 BMW Z4M Coupe β€” 76 BMW 2002 β€” 75 ALFA GT Junior β€” 84 AUDI Coupe β€” 93 SAAB 900c β€”

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Key fob not working

Post by MACK » Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:46 pm

Steely wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 9:51 pm
Steely wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:55 pm Ah, the toothbrush trick (quickly Google’s Bmw key toothbrush trick) πŸ˜‚
I left it overnight on the toothbrush charger, and it works again! Thanks for the tip.
Glad it worked!
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Key fob not working

Post by Magicarcher » Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:36 pm

I too have remote locking problems. When I bought the car one key didn't remote lock/unlock but started the car. Now my other key has gone the same way.

Tried charging up my previously good key by leaving it in the car in aux for 6 hours, still didn't work

So cut both keys open using method below. Then measured the unloaded battery voltage on both. Previously good one was 3.34V, the one that never worked 2.8V. Decided to replace the battery in the old one with a new battery.

The decided to re-initialise two different methods:

1 a. sit inside, close all doors
1 b. key in barrel move to pos 1 (aux) for a brief second or so
1 c. Press and hold unlock button and whilst doing so press the lock button three times

After 1 c. both doors should momentarily lock and then unlock signifying success. No such luck so tried:

2 a. key in and then rapidly switch to position and back 5 times
2 b. key in barrel move to pos 1 (aux) for a brief second or so
2 c. Press and hold unlock button and whilst doing so press the lock button three times

After 2 c. both doors should momentarily lock and then unlock signifying success. Again no such luck.

On one occasion I did get lock followed by unlock. But the key still didn't work. i also had weird things along the way like, on one occasion I opened the drivers door only to have the window lower fully, then when I closed it again it went back up again! It also stopped locking the petrol filler cap when locked from the door key, only the doors locked, although that seams to be OK again now.

I love my Z4 generally, love the looks, the handling the engine and all things mechanical. But the fickle electrical system is really getting me down! (constant intermittent airbag warnings, all different error codes, reverse sensors randomly working some times and just sounding continuous on other times)

If anyone has any ideas regarding the remote door locking, I would love to know.
MACK wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:12 am
+1
The battery itself about Β£5 from eBay etc. I done this repair 4 or 5 times for friends/family with E46 and it's pretty easy even for a novice. All you need is soldering iron and solder obviously.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.

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