[Butch]

I picked up my new E90 (2005) last week, and I seem to have had a random issue with one of my remote fobs, can anyone help?

I'm using the same remote key fob on a daily basis, on a couple occasions it has refused to lock the doors, but it will open the doors and boot no problem... After opening and shutting all doors to make sure they are shut properly, I keep trying to lock it but it simply won't work, I give up... a few minutes later I try it again and it decides it will lock after all - annoying !!!

It has not got comfort access and therefore has no replaceable battery, I have also been on a couple of long journeys in the last few days and so should be fully charged? At the moment I'm carrying the "spare" remote around aswell, just in case the main one fails - this "spare" remote will lock the doors every time, even if the main remote won't, therefore I assume it is a problem with the remote, rather than the locks or the car.

Is my remote on its way out ????


By the way - I know i've only had it a few days, but I'm lovin my car, best car purchase I ever made. Can't believe how much technology there is, and it goes like a rocket

[M3-FAST]

Sounds like the small tactile switch inside the keyfob under the BMW roundel is on it's way out. The keys are sealed I believe so you would need a new one.

Do you actually need/use 2 keys or can you make do just using one. I ask because my spare key hardly ever gets used and if I had a car put of warranty with a dodgy key, would just make that my spare and start using the other one.

As the key contains the transponder a new one would have to be supplied & programmed at a dealer - my guess is aout £150? The missus had a dodgy key on her old E46 compact and they quoted £135 back then for a new one. We just made that the spare and never bothered having it sorted as we knew we were trading the car soon after.

[Butch]

Yeah, thought this might be the case !!!

Thankfully I only need one key so will just swap it over for the other one.

Am I right in thinking that the remote holds personal preference data - like radio setup etc etc, will I have to spend time going through and resetting everything to my liking ?

[doughboy]

Butch,

Yes the keys relate to their own preferences which are stored in the vehicle, but activated when the car knows which key has opened the car.

But these are stored when the fob is used to LOCK the car only.

So if you open the car with your usual remote, get in check everything is how you want it, then get out and LOCK it with the spare remote all the current vehicle settings will be assigned to the locking fob.

Thus your new key will hold all the old key settings.


BTW I have comfort access and I was under the impression that you DO have a replacable battery in the CA fob as the regular fob charges when its in the key slot - maybe I'm wrong though....

[robsdesk]

I had to get a replacement fob and key for my E92, cost about £90 for both from my local dealer.

[Butch]

Cool, thanks for the great advice... this forum is ace