[Paulo2576]

Looking for some help. My battery died on my X1 Fob, so switched to my wifes key - car worked fine. Next day, got into car using her key - drove to destination - fine. Got out of car and went to lock but her key was also completely dead and car wouldnt lock.
We can still drive by manually locking/unlocking and holding to steering column however it seems like the keys have un-paired themselves from the car. Ive change the battery but to no avail - but was never going to be the problem since my wifes one went dead at same time.
Im praying this wont be a diagnostic problem that will cost thousands!!

Its a 2017 X1 model - can anyone offer any help?

Cheers

[e30lover318i]

I literally had this exact problem a few weeks ago! It ended up being both my batteries died at that same time

[rice_rocket88]

It's relatively easy to change the batteries (usually free at the dealer). I can't remember but it should be a cr2032 battery. The trick, however, for our car was that after you put in a new battery you still need to touch the steering column where there is a key picture with the actual key fob before it stopped telling me the battery was low. I'd start there if I were you with fresh new batteries in the remotes.

[Paulo2576]

Thanks for replies, yes tried the batteries but not that. Ill take it down to the garage and see what they say.

[CnSky]

There is a way to retrain the key to the car search online you hold it against the steering column marker and do something else. Can't remember exactly. Same process you do if a new key is purchased.


QUOTE=Paulo2576;28456515]Thanks for replies, yes tried the batteries but not that. Ill take it down to the garage and see what they say.[/QUOTE]

[CnSky]

https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1589624

[Paulo2576]

thanks for the link - i had actually come across that one but its not the solution. The car still goes no problem when holding either key to the steering column.

The problem is that I cant lock or unlock the doors remotely. Once in the car i can press the central locking button and the doors will unlock ( to lock them i have to push the buttons down manually), but they dont when pressing the remote.

Basically pressing the buttons on either key gives no response, however the car can be operated manually. Im not sure if it maybe could be a fuse but im not sure what im doing there. If its not I fear it would be an expensive diagnostic repair and was hoping someone may have had some experience with a similar issue.

[CnSky]

Did you try different batteries it's common to get a bad batch.

Multiple cases online of this happening, we're both replacement batteries from the same package?

It's the only common denominator in this problem that or the car has an issue.

[Paulo2576]

will give it a go thanks. We only changed my battery, but my wifes had been changed in the summer last year so we thought very unlikely it would be that and would be some coincidence.

[Paulo2576]

Dont suppose anyone would know the level of work it might involved it ended up being a diagnostic repair?

[Paulo2576]

Originally Posted by CnSky

Did you try different batteries it's common to get a bad batch.

Multiple cases online of this happening, we're both replacement batteries from the same package?

It's the only common denominator in this problem that or the car has an issue.

Mate - your a star. I had just decided in my mind it couldnt be this since my wife swapped out hers recently. Just gone and replaced both batteries and hey presto - they both work again. Thanks again for being insistent.

[CnSky]

Engineers approach to common denominator faults always wins!!

Happy you solved it. 👍

[djadam]

Hi all, my spare key stopped working partially recently. Have already tried 5 different new batteries from 5 different vendors, no joy.

The strange thing is, if I hold the key against the steering column I can start the car, but, it will not open or close it.

Any ideas?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by djadam

The strange thing is, if I hold the key against the steering column I can start the car, but, it will not open or close it.

Any ideas?

It can be a common misconception about the battery inside the remote key. It doesn’t affect the key’s ability to start the car…that’s why it works (even with a dead battery) when you hold it next to the icon on the steering column.

The starting function of the key uses induction and electromagnetic fields that communicates with the CAS, FEM, or BDC module (depending on model).

The remote fob/key battery powers it for sending a signal to antennas for comfort access & proximity pickup (if so optioned) and sending an RF (radio frequency) to antennas on the car for remote locking/unlocking the vehicle.

If the remote fob won’t lock/unlock the car, then the issue lies with the remote fob or the central locking system and the other ways the remote communicates with the car’s systems for this purpose.

Again, starting the vehicle uses a different communication method that is self powered through induction.

[amolvb]

I am having the same problem - replaced key fob batteries but can only lock/unlock from within the car and can start car only by placing near steering column. I do get the "Remote Control Discharged: Replace Battery" message continuously even though I changed the batteries (I even checked that the new batteries are 3.3V and the old ones were 2.87V). Fuses are not blown. Anything else, guys or should i keep changing batteries.

Surprisingly, the spare key fob also stopped working but I never knew it worked.

UPDATE: On a whim, I checked the battery in the spare key fob and they were 0.01V. Changing those batteries got the spare fob working for now. I called the dealer and he quoted me $350 for a new key fob. I reckoned my original key fob is bad after the spare key fob started working. I am not going to drive out and get a new one right away because the message still says that "Remote Control Discharged: Replace Battery".

[CnSky]

Did you try the battery from the spare fob in the one that's not working to rule out the battery as the issue 100%?