Key Fob Battery ..

Lee420d · 12-27-2018, 12:19 PM

Hi,

can anyone shed some Light on Why , my 4 Series F36 Key Fob after changing the battery inside , its still showing up on dash , Replace Battery..

Do i need to Sync or something ?

Regards

bheng89 · 12-27-2018, 01:12 PM

mine automatically went away (I think after I turned on the car) . do you have a multimeter to test the battery? maybe it was just a bad battery you had for replacement

kingmonkey8 · 12-27-2018, 01:59 PM

Mine recognised the new battery straight away.
There is a key logo on the steering column. Does it do anything if you touch it against that?

Lee420d · 12-27-2018, 02:26 PM

Thanks For Replies ...

Battery put in was a New 1 ...
and when symbol is on, i do put the fob to steering wheel and it does disappear but when unlock car again, its back ....

bimmer456 · 12-27-2018, 03:05 PM

Can you unlock the car remotely? You may have to do the learn procedure again. Maybe delete and re add it.

jimbobiggens · 12-27-2018, 03:10 PM

Mine did that until I replaced batteries in both remotes.

wilbur_the_goose · 12-28-2018, 10:32 AM

Yeah - be sure you change both remotes. And ensure the battery is good.

Mine went out when I was out of town. Stopped by a BMW dealer in Charlottesville, VA, and they changed the batteries for me - cost about $30.

mfstrby · 12-28-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Yeah - be sure you change both remotes. And ensure the battery is good.

Mine went out when I was out of town. Stopped by a BMW dealer in Charlottesville, VA, and they changed the batteries for me - cost about $30.

Did both fobs have empty batteries? In my case, only one of them had and replacing it solved the problem. I didn't do anything extra, the car recognized the fob and the warning went away.

wilbur_the_goose · 12-28-2018, 03:05 PM

I'm guessing that if both remotes are in the car, and one is weak, that you could get the warning.

agentorange · 12-29-2018, 01:58 AM

Had the same thing happen just before Christmas. Changed battery in offending fob, then held it up to the spot on the column and pressed the start button WITHOUT my foot on the brake so the car did not start. This seems to clear the alert. I made sure that the other remote was well clear during this procedure.

bimmer456 · 12-29-2018, 03:52 AM

Not sure if free maintenance (old or new) includes key fob battery replacement? So far haven't had to replace mine though I know these newer comfort access/start button key fob batteries drain faster than the old non bi directional communication key fobs do.

kingmonkey8 · 12-29-2018, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Yeah - be sure you change both remotes. And ensure the battery is good.

Mine went out when I was out of town. Stopped by a BMW dealer in Charlottesville, VA, and they changed the batteries for me - cost about $30.

The batteries don't cost more than a few dollars and are very easy to change.

luckstr · 12-29-2018, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Not sure if free maintenance (old or new) includes key fob battery replacement? So far haven't had to replace mine though I know these newer comfort access/start button key fob batteries drain faster than the old non bi directional communication key fobs do.

Yes it does. I took my 2017 440i convertible in for scheduled maintenance (2nd one) and one of the things performed was a replacement of the battery in the key fob. Wish I was smart enough to remember to bring the second key fob with me and have its battery replaced, but I'm not that smart. Next time I bring car in I will take second key fob with me and have them change that one also.

bimmer456 · 12-29-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckstr

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Not sure if free maintenance (old or new) includes key fob battery replacement? So far haven't had to replace mine though I know these newer comfort access/start button key fob batteries drain faster than the old non bi directional communication key fobs do.

Yes it does. I took my 2017 440i convertible in for scheduled maintenance (2nd one) and one of the things performed was a replacement of the battery in the key fob. Wish I was smart enough to remember to bring the second key fob with me and have its battery replaced, but I'm not that smart. Next time I bring car in I will take second key fob with me and have them change that one also.

Good point I'll need to bring my 2nd fob in as well. Didn't think of that. Thanks for the tip! I may just bring it in with the other key fob for my next service, though, as I don't want them to get confused with 2 key fobs and end up losing one of them.

wilbur_the_goose · 12-30-2018, 10:08 AM

Yeah - they're very easy to change. But when you're out of town, a BMW dealer is 2 miles away, and they'll do it for you start-to-finish in under 5 minutes, I went that route.

Trust me, I'm frugal, but there are some times that call for spending on convenience.

luckstr · 12-30-2018, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckstr

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Not sure if free maintenance (old or new) includes key fob battery replacement? So far haven't had to replace mine though I know these newer comfort access/start button key fob batteries drain faster than the old non bi directional communication key fobs do.

Yes it does. I took my 2017 440i convertible in for scheduled maintenance (2nd one) and one of the things performed was a replacement of the battery in the key fob. Wish I was smart enough to remember to bring the second key fob with me and have its battery replaced, but I'm not that smart. Next time I bring car in I will take second key fob with me and have them change that one also.

Good point I'll need to bring my 2nd fob in as well. Didn't think of that. Thanks for the tip! I may just bring it in with the other key fob for my next service, though, as I don't want them to get confused with 2 key fobs and end up losing one of them.

You are welcome. I don't quite understand why the BMW folks think it was necessary to include a key fob battery replacement in the 2nd scheduled maintenance, seems kind of early in the life cycle to replace this, but then again what do I know? I was actually surprised when I saw that they did do this, didn't know it was included along with oil change/filter change, etc. Not complaining, just surprised. Have a happy new year.

bimmer456 · 12-30-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Yeah - they're very easy to change. But when you're out of town, a BMW dealer is 2 miles away, and they'll do it for you start-to-finish in under 5 minutes, I went that route.

Trust me, I'm frugal, but there are some times that call for spending on convenience.

I should try and bring in my keyfob then like tomorrow and see if they can do it for me for free as they did for my primary fob though I've already brought the car in for service last week.

luckstr · 12-30-2018, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Yeah - they're very easy to change. But when you're out of town, a BMW dealer is 2 miles away, and they'll do it for you start-to-finish in under 5 minutes, I went that route.

Trust me, I'm frugal, but there are some times that call for spending on convenience.

I should try and bring in my keyfob then like tomorrow and see if they can do it for me for free as they did for my primary fob though I've already brought the car in for service last week.

I would hope they will. For the price we paid for these cars I would hope BMW is very customer orientated, and the scheduled maintenance does not limit this to just one fob.

bimmer456 · 12-30-2018, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckstr

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckstr

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Not sure if free maintenance (old or new) includes key fob battery replacement? So far haven't had to replace mine though I know these newer comfort access/start button key fob batteries drain faster than the old non bi directional communication key fobs do.

Yes it does. I took my 2017 440i convertible in for scheduled maintenance (2nd one) and one of the things performed was a replacement of the battery in the key fob. Wish I was smart enough to remember to bring the second key fob with me and have its battery replaced, but I'm not that smart. Next time I bring car in I will take second key fob with me and have them change that one also.

Good point I'll need to bring my 2nd fob in as well. Didn't think of that. Thanks for the tip! I may just bring it in with the other key fob for my next service, though, as I don't want them to get confused with 2 key fobs and end up losing one of them.

You are welcome. I don't quite understand why the BMW folks think it was necessary to include a key fob battery replacement in the 2nd scheduled maintenance, seems kind of early in the life cycle to replace this, but then again what do I know? I was actually surprised when I saw that they did do this, didn't know it was included along with oil change/filter change, etc. Not complaining, just surprised. Have a happy new year.

I like having them replace it sooner so I don't have to deal with diminishing range or low key fob error messages and having to hold the key to the steering column. They also replace wiper blades every year though they are still good at that point. Better than having to put up with streaking wipers. The new maintenance plan doesn't include some of the items of the old one so not sure if key fob batteries are covered under that one, however. Happy New Year!

12-27-2018, 12:19 PM	#1
Lee420d New Member 6 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Gran Coupe 420d Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: York iTrader: (0)	Key Fob Battery .. Hi, can anyone shed some Light on Why , my 4 Series F36 Key Fob after changing the battery inside , its still showing up on dash , Replace Battery.. Do i need to Sync or something ? Regards
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12-27-2018, 01:12 PM	#2
bheng89 Second Lieutenant 79 Rep 270 Posts Drives: 2012 328xi Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	mine automatically went away (I think after I turned on the car) . do you have a multimeter to test the battery? maybe it was just a bad battery you had for replacement __________________ 2013 328i xDrive \| M Performance Exhaust \| Injen Intake \| DEPO Headlights \| 2019 440i xDrive \| Muffler Delete \|
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12-27-2018, 01:59 PM	#3
kingmonkey8 Lieutenant 81 Rep 552 Posts Drives: BMW 428i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Mine recognised the new battery straight away. There is a key logo on the steering column. Does it do anything if you touch it against that?
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12-27-2018, 02:26 PM	#4
Lee420d New Member 6 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Gran Coupe 420d Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: York iTrader: (0)	Thanks For Replies ... Battery put in was a New 1 ... and when symbol is on, i do put the fob to steering wheel and it does disappear but when unlock car again, its back ....
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12-27-2018, 03:05 PM	#5
bimmer456 Major General 2963 Rep 5,997 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	Can you unlock the car remotely? You may have to do the learn procedure again. Maybe delete and re add it.
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12-27-2018, 03:10 PM	#6
jimbobiggens Lieutenant 839 Rep 440 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: jackson tn iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 335i xDrive [0.00]	Mine did that until I replaced batteries in both remotes. __________________ I'm not completely useless, I can be used as a bad example.
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12-28-2018, 10:32 AM	#7
wilbur_the_goose Major 353 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2018 330ix Gran Turismo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Metro Philly iTrader: (0)	Yeah - be sure you change both remotes. And ensure the battery is good. Mine went out when I was out of town. Stopped by a BMW dealer in Charlottesville, VA, and they changed the batteries for me - cost about $30.
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12-28-2018, 03:05 PM	#9
wilbur_the_goose Major 353 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2018 330ix Gran Turismo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Metro Philly iTrader: (0)	I'm guessing that if both remotes are in the car, and one is weak, that you could get the warning.
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12-29-2018, 01:58 AM	#10
agentorange Major 1508 Rep 1,387 Posts Drives: 328d Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Desert SW iTrader: (0)	Had the same thing happen just before Christmas. Changed battery in offending fob, then held it up to the spot on the column and pressed the start button WITHOUT my foot on the brake so the car did not start. This seems to clear the alert. I made sure that the other remote was well clear during this procedure.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2018, 03:52 AM	#11
bimmer456 Major General 2963 Rep 5,997 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	Not sure if free maintenance (old or new) includes key fob battery replacement? So far haven't had to replace mine though I know these newer comfort access/start button key fob batteries drain faster than the old non bi directional communication key fobs do.
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12-30-2018, 10:08 AM	#15
wilbur_the_goose Major 353 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2018 330ix Gran Turismo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Metro Philly iTrader: (0)	Yeah - they're very easy to change. But when you're out of town, a BMW dealer is 2 miles away, and they'll do it for you start-to-finish in under 5 minutes, I went that route. Trust me, I'm frugal, but there are some times that call for spending on convenience.
	Appreciate 0 Quote