Key fob failing?

[Pip1968]

When I press the centre button on my key it does not seem to activate the alarm. Does this mean I need a new key? Are the batteries in the key rechargeable or is it more likely to be an alarm problem?

I have not tried my second key yet (which eventually turned up) but just interested to hear of anyone with similar problems. She is a bit of a garage queen so may be lack of use.

Pip

[Porter]

You've been playing with that Porsche too much - it's lack of use. IIRC the fob charges by induction once in the car. As the fob gets older the rechargable battery holds its charge for less time.

The battery is not replaceable, although a good long drive should sort it out. The manual for the wife's car suggests using the spare key once a month to keep it charged up.

I read the manual. I admitted failure.

[shane@mbtech]

The centre button does not activate the alarm, it just arms it.

[Pip1968]

You've been playing with that Porsche too much - it's lack of use. IIRC the fob charges by induction once in the car. As the fob gets older the rechargable battery holds its charge for less time.

The battery is not replaceable, although a good long drive should sort it out. The manual for the wife's car suggests using the spare key once a month to keep it charged up.

I read the manual. I admitted failure.

Yes, I think you are right Porter. I had to increase the limited mileage on the Porsche last week and yesterday was the first time I took the CSL out since April when the Porsche arrived. That is not quite as bad as it sounds though as I do have another run around for non 'motorsport' days.

I am going to try a little experiment and lock the spare key in the ignition with a battery charger on the car. I am not sure if this will charge it up or whether the electrics go into shut down after 10 minutes non use. We shall see.

Anyone know the answer?

Pip

[billyboysm3]

Yep, the battery is knackered, BMW want £150 for a new key.

I used these guy's took about 5 days in all and cost £32.50.

http://www.keyfobrepair.co.uk/

Person I spoke to is Dan, email is [email protected]

They cut into your old key and glue it up and looks fine as long as you haven't tried to open it yourself.

Billy

[Pip1968]

Cheers BillyBoyM3 I will bear that in mind if my little experiment does not work.

Pip

[Porter]

Alternatively the experiment may not work if they key only charges with the ignition on...

[Pip1968]

Bugger, I thought that may be the case. I put it in today and locked the doors. Both keys appear to have flat batteries as neither start the flashing red light under the drivers mirror ie the alarm.

Incidentally the LED on the dash by the radio flashes. Is this anything to do with the alarm?

Surely they cannot both be flat. Does anyone know whether BMW will be able to tell if the batteries are flat as I know they insert the keys into a reader to extract information from them on servicing et cetera ????

Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Pip

[billyboysm3]

Once the key battery has gone it doesnt matter if you take it for a 100 mile blat it will still
not work in a couple of days.

Do you just want to move the car and then lock it with the key.

I found that the key worked better once in the keyhole on drivers door, wiggle it about a bit and that might work.

But I wouldnt lock it properly again as the key will not have enough power to open again, as I found out, outside tesco for 30min trying to unlock.

[Pip1968]

BillyBoyM3, I always lock the door using the keys anyway and then alarm it afterwards as and when. The car locks and unlocks using the key without a problem. I just cannot activate the alarm.

My experiment did not work but I have now tried to put the key to postion 1 and leave it in with a trickle charger to see if that sorts it.

Pip

[billyboysm3]

Nice one.

Billy

[shane@mbtech]

BillyBoyM3, I always lock the door using the keys anyway and then alarm it afterwards as and when. The car locks and unlocks using the key without a problem. I just cannot activate the alarm.

My experiment did not work but I have now tried to put the key to postion 1 and leave it in with a trickle charger to see if that sorts it.

Pip

Your batteries in the key are fine otherwise your remote central locking would not work. I think you are barking up wrong tree.

How do you know the alarm does not activate?

Lock the doors leaving the windows open, leave to arm for 5 minutes then wave your arms inside the car and open door from the interior handle, see if your alarm activates.

[Pip1968]

Lawsy, I am not remote locking I nearly always lok the doors by puting the key in the lock and turning it. I then press the key fob's centre button to activate the alarm. This centre button is not working or at least activating the alarm.

On the positive side with the key left in position 1 in the ignition for an hour plus (with the trickle charger plugged in and connected) the fob seems to have been recharged and activated the alarm once removed from the ignition and pressed. I have popped the other key in now and hope to report the same success tomorrow.

Pip

[shane@mbtech]

Lawsy, I am not remote locking I nearly always lok the doors by puting the key in the lock and turning it. I then press the key fob's centre button to activate the alarm. This centre button is not working or at least activating the alarm.

On the positive side with the key left in position 1 in the ignition for an hour plus (with the trickle charger plugged in and connected) the fob seems to have been recharged and activated the alarm once removed from the ignition and pressed. I have popped the other key in now and hope to report the same success tomorrow.

Pip

My mistake, I misread your posts, long day. :clown:


At least you are getting there,

I am sure there is a process to resync the keys, your keys may just needc resynching, ill check in work tomorrow.

[Pip1968]

Cheers Lawsy. Just so that everyone else knows both keys appear to work in activating the alarm. The second key was left in the ignition overnight in position 1. Not exactly the most security conscientious method but another car was parked in front and both were in a locked garage.

What is with the re-synchronsing? Do the keys stop 'talking' to the car if they have not been used for a while.

Pip