[venom3469]

So since I have had my 335i, as soon as I found out you didn't have to put the key into the ignition slot to start the car. I have just been keeping it in my pocket and then starting the car...Well now when I walk up and pull the door handle it does nothing. I think not that big of a deal, ill just put key into the ignition slot. (thinking it was a charge thing.) Now although ill be beside my car anywhere from 10-30 seconds just drilling the button till it opens. I now basically have to put they key right beside the car's door handle before the car notices it. So do I have to get a new key, has anyone else had this problem, and how much would a new key cost if I need one?

[benzy89]

Battery in the key fob is dying (shortening the range) -- Get it replaced

[E90Company]

Originally Posted by benzy89

Battery in the key fob is dying (shortening the range) -- Get it replaced

+1

[AU335i]

why I always just insert the key... not that big a deal to me...


i'm guessing the battery can't be replaced yourself?

[venom3469]

Originally Posted by benzy89

Battery in the key fob is dying (shortening the range) -- Get it replaced

Is this a thing only BMW can do and just wondering do you know how much that usually runs.

[Beemw335]

take a mini screwdriver (or a knife) and pop open the back cover on the key fob. Remove the battery and replace with a brand new one, takes 30 seconds!

[venom3469]

Originally Posted by AU335i

why I always just insert the key... not that big a deal to me...


i'm guessing the battery can't be replaced yourself?

It's not just that though, the range of the key is gone. I have to be right beside the car to open it. I'm thinking eventually I'm going to have to start taking the real key out to open it..cuz its taking longer everyday to open it.

[venom3469]

Originally Posted by Beemw335

take a mini screwdriver (or a knife) and pop open the back cover on the key fob. Remove the battery and replace with a brand new one, takes 30 seconds!

Gotcha! I just did it, I didn't realize it was that easy! Thanks for the quick responses everyone!

[GeorgiaTech335coupe]

Change out the battery like other said, I believe only non-CA cars charge their key in the ign slot.

Also, your tint will mess up the range.

I have been noticing that the range on my key has gotten quite shitty too. I have to be about 5-6 feet from my car before it will unlock when I'm pressing the button. Also, the CA isn't quite as responsive as it used to be. I haven't figured out why yet.

[AU335i]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaTech335coupe

Change out the battery like other said, I believe only non-CA cars charge their key in the ign slot.

Also, your tint will mess up the range.

I have been noticing that the range on my key has gotten quite shitty too. I have to be about 5-6 feet from my car before it will unlock when I'm pressing the button. Also, the CA isn't quite as responsive as it used to be. I haven't figured out why yet.

hmm I have comfort access... but didn't know my battery doesn't charge

[kelvin2010]

Same thing happens on my car... Even got new battery, the range is still short.
Have to walk next to my car to unlock it, and the Comfort Access may be just working like 2 times out of 10...Thats so frustrating!

[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by kelvin2010

Same thing happens on my car... Even got new battery, the range is still short.
Have to walk next to my car to unlock it, and the Comfort Access may be just working like 2 times out of 10...Thats so frustrating!

As others have said, a tint on your car messes up the range. Apparently less metallic tints work better with comfort access. Also, you'll find that your range is better on cloudy days than on sunny ones when you have tint.

[kelvin2010]

Originally Posted by secretsquirrel

As others have said, a tint on your car messes up the range. Apparently less metallic tints work better with comfort access. Also, you'll find that your range is better on cloudy days than on sunny ones when you have tint.

Ya, I heard about that. Thats why I got the ceramic tints, but maybe the tinting store lie to me..
And sometimes even I am in the car and sitting on the driver seat, the iDrive shows the key is not in the car...

[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by kelvin2010

Ya, I heard about that. Thats why I got the ceramic tints, but maybe the tinting store lie to me..
And sometimes even I am in the car and sitting on the driver seat, the iDrive shows the key is not in the car...

I was going to recommend ceramic tint, but you've already got that covered. Also, make sure you don't keep your cell phone in the same pocket as your keys. Sometimes cell phones interfere with the signal. I don't know any other solution other than to make sure you have a good battery (which you've done). Did you try your spare key by any chance?

[ajsalida]

You should get a warning on the dash if the key fob battery is dying, at least that was what mine did. On the other hand your main car battery can be low, and that will also affect how robustly the fob unlocks your car.

At a certain point it will not open the door unless you use the remote and press the button near the car, and then not even that. (still talking the main battery being low) Then sometime after discharging more you'll get a dash warning on the (main) battery discharging when off.

I have had both conditions, and my car has comfort access. The other poster is correct, the comfort access key fob does not charge while inserted into the dash, and the battery is easy to replace. The size is CR2032.

If replacing the fob battery does not fix it, it may be the main battery is getting low.

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by venom3469

Is this a thing only BMW can do and just wondering do you know how much that usually runs.

Well you could buy a new key The key is like the one of those flat, hearing aid batteries so if you can find a screw driver, there's a DIY somewhere on the forum for changing the battery in the key FOB.

[venom3469]

Originally Posted by benzy89

Well you could buy a new key The key is like the one of those flat, hearing aid batteries so if you can find a screw driver, there's a DIY somewhere on the forum for changing the battery in the key FOB.

Yeah as I stated before, once I found out all you have to do is pop that back part off with a knife and change it....no problem. No DIY necessary it's pretty self explanatory once someone explains it. I have never had a nice BMW that is push to start or key like this so wasn't aware that's all that was needed. Again thanks for all the quick responses to fix it...I am looking into tint in the future, so I'll keep that in mind that it shortens the distance.

[M4TW]

I went through that and a battery change didn't help. I finally figured out that my iPhone was messing with the fob's signal. If I kept the iPhone in the same pocket as my keys (or even near them) the touch locks rarely worked and I had to dig my keys out of my pocket for the touch start to work. If I kept the fob it in the opposite pocket as my phone, however, it worked every time and I never had to put it in the slot.

[venom3469]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug

I went through that and a battery change didn't help. I finally figured out that my iPhone was messing with the fob's signal. If I kept the iPhone in the same pocket as my keys (or even near them) the touch locks rarely worked and I had to dig my keys out of my pocket for the touch start to work. If I kept the fob it in the opposite pocket as my phone, however, it worked every time and I never had to put it in the slot.

Luckily I have always kept my keys in my left pocket and my phone in my right. Old habit of not wanting my keys to scratch up my phone.