[MUNIK-FL]

Thank you very much Nikki for creating this poll (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14968). It looks like 85% of comfort access owners are happy with their CA systems and about 15% of us are having issues. From what I can tell, I am probably having the worst issues.

For me, it works 50% of the time on the first try, within 1 second (normal operation as experienced by most); 30% within 5 seconds; and 20% of the time I have to take the fob out of my pocket and place it within 1 inch of the handle/button for it to work. This includes the unlocking & locking of the doors, opening the trunk, AND starting the car. This really is the only problem I have with this awesome vehicle, but because I paid the $500 to get the system that others are having no problem with, I am extremely frustrated.

I have read others' posts, read the manual, and taken it to the dealer - twice. The first time I went in, they replaced the batteries in both fobs and the CA system seemed to work initially, but I think I got lucky for the first two days and it fell within the 50% success rate. The second time I took it in was for my 1st annual service. They were "unable to duplicate customer's concern" and they "ran diagnostics on the system which reported no errors."

The SA also insinuated that this is just a small problem that I will just have to deal with. This is crap for the reasons I mentioned above, so I called the service manager. He hasn't returned my call yet in three days.

All I want them to do is increase the sensitivity of the antennae and/or increase the power of the fob. If these options are not possible, I would expect BMW to replace the faulty system.

I am wondering what experiences others had when they went to the dealer to have this problem fixed.

I should mention that I have tint on the car, but it functions exactly the same as it did when I picked it up in Germany - no better, no worse. Also, I always keep my phone in my opposite pants pocket - otherwise I would walk with a limp! I am 6' tall and the fob sits just below the handle when in my pocket. I don't think my khakis are causing interference! I have noticed that it works better when the fob is above the window sill, but I refuse to have custom breast pockets installed on my golf shirts so I can use this $500 system.

I am generally a patient guy, but I know that since it consistently takes more than 1 second, something is wrong. Also I should never have to take the fob out of my pocket to lock the doors - that is exactly the opposite of what this comfort access system is intended to do. I am not trying to complain here, just get some advice on how I should handle this.

Maybe I can boost the power of the fob or increase the sensitivity of the antennae myself!

[HighVoltage]

My experience closely parallels yours. I don't believe this is simply a window tint issue as I have had the FOB in my pant pocket and I am sitting in the vehicle and unable to start the car. How can window tint be at issue in this instance? I have to reach into my pocket and pull the FOB up closer to my waist before the vehicle "sees" the FOB. I have replaced the FOB battery several times and have the same results.

RF is a delicate science. Increasing the "sensitivity" may not solve the problem. It could be an antenna design issue (the fob likely has it imprinted on the PCB) or manufacturing (cold solder joints) or any number of other factors on either the FOB and/or the CA module in the vehicle. If we are "lucky" it may simply be a calibration problem but that is not always HW accessible. Something is clearly at issue here with the design but given the % of those with issues I dont think BMW is going to address it.

[MUNIK-FL]

Originally Posted by HighVoltage

My experience closely parallels yours. I don't believe this is simply a window tint issue as I have had the FOB in my pant pocket and I am sitting in the vehicle and unable to start the car. How can window tint be at issue in this instance? I have to reach into my pocket and pull the FOB up closer to my waist before the vehicle "sees" the FOB. I have replaced the FOB battery several times and have the same results.

RF is a delicate science. Increasing the "sensitivity" may not solve the problem. It could be an antenna design issue (the fob likely has it imprinted on the PCB) or manufacturing (cold solder joints) or any number of other factors on either the FOB and/or the CA module in the vehicle. If we are "lucky" it may simply be a calibration problem but that is not always HW accessible. Something is clearly at issue here with the design but given the % of those with issues I dont think BMW is going to address it.

Me, too (above in red).

How do I get the dealer to adjust the calibration? Is this even something they can/will do? Many other members have threatened to take the car to the dealer, but none have given an update following the visit.

If the dealer can't/wont fix the problem, I am about ready to try some of my own adjustments.

[CJCIII]

I was having the same problem that you described in your post. I started noticing that the fob wasn't working when I had my cell phone in the same pocket, and when the cell phone wasn't present the comfort access worked much more consistently.

Good Luck!

[HighVoltage]

Originally Posted by Gixxer335iCoupe

Me, too (above in red).

How do I get the dealer to adjust the calibration? Is this even something they can/will do? Many other members have threatened to take the car to the dealer, but none have given an update following the visit.

If the dealer can't/wont fix the problem, I am about ready to try some of my own adjustments.

It just hasn't bothered me enough to find out but my gut tells me that the dealer cannot adjust it. Either they dont have the tech information to do so and/or they cant access the adjustment. Sometimes adjusting the gain or sensitivity is a turn of a pot but more than likely it is based in firmware on the CA module. I would imagine however that there is still some kind of calibration sequence but it may only be accessible when the CA module is manufactured and tested. If I had designed it, I would have the calibration sequence available via CANbus (KCAN) so the module could be calibrated and debugged in-vehicle, but maybe thats just me and my funny way of doing these things...

[rayc325]

Mine works for locking and starting the car fine but unlocking is a problem. I can hear an "unlocking" sound in the door but it isn't unlocking. Most of the time I have to take the fob out of my pocket. I installed a new battery too.

[Firepriest]

The antenna for the CA as well as the radio are in the upper portion of the rear window. There is an interface where that plugs into under the housing on the roof inside the car. I know this because they removed my rear window for some work and sliced right through the ribbon cable that connects the antenna to the car. I can get my CA to work now only by holding the fob near the 3rd brake light. It also doesn't work inside the car, and I have to insert the key into the slot to start the car. It looks like this antenna is responsible for quite a bit of the functionality of the CA system. Not sure if this helps any of you, but now you know where the antenna is. Might be worth checking for a loose connection.

[HighVoltage]

Originally Posted by Firepriest

The antenna for the CA as well as the radio are in the upper portion of the rear window. There is an interface where that plugs into under the housing on the roof inside the car. I know this because they removed my rear window for some work and sliced right through the ribbon cable that connects the antenna to the car. I can get my CA to work now only by holding the fob near the 3rd brake light. It also doesn't work inside the car, and I have to insert the key into the slot to start the car. It looks like this antenna is responsible for quite a bit of the functionality of the CA system. Not sure if this helps any of you, but now you know where the antenna is. Might be worth checking for a loose connection.

Thats not correct. There are 6 antennas for the CA located through out the vehicle. The one you are referring to is the regular FOB antenna, as well as a host of other antennas on the rear window.

[Firepriest]

OK, but that antenna wire is current cut in my car, and my CA doesn't work. My remotes don't work unless I put them right up against the rear window either. That antenna not receiving the signal has a large impact on the functionality of the system.

[MUNIK-FL]

Originally Posted by HighVoltage

Thats not correct. There are 6 antennas for the CA located through out the vehicle. The one you are referring to is the regular FOB antenna, as well as a host of other antennas on the rear window.

Thanks for the info. I am also wondering if I can install a beefier battery or something in the fob to make it have a wider radius.

[MUNIK-FL]

Has anyone ever taken their car to the dealer about this and gotten anywhere?

[Ferg]

Yeah, same problem here, would love to know if anyone found a resolution to this.

[Xaeryan]

Sorry to resurrect, but anyone know where the above diagram is from? Would like to find the same diagram for 1 series if possible.