Key Fob unlock/lock/trunk failing to open sporadic

mousitch · 03-24-2015, 09:45 PM

Is there a battery in these? I know they recharge in ignition. Just wondering if the battery can be replaced?

Vanne · 03-25-2015, 01:52 AM

I have heard of guys opening uo the fob and replacing the batt, requires soldering and you must have a spare working one to recode the fob, otherwise a costly visit to the stealer will evolve.

RADRACR · 03-25-2015, 07:51 AM

Yep. Making the fob user serviceable is insanity when you can charge $250 for a new one (the cost of my old VW one). Now I just consider keyless entry a consumable luxury until the battery dies and I need to start using the keyhole. I suspect I'm almost there as the range is significantly shorter now.

BTW -- how are you holding the key? You get a range boost if you hold it with the butt pointed at the car instead of the key part.

Kimo · 03-25-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RADRACR

BTW -- how are you holding the key? You get a range boost if you hold it with the butt pointed at the car instead of the key part.

Hey Rad, you didn't go where I thought you were going to go with this!

OP, try the key to chin trick - it definitely increases range and may just buy you some extra time with your dying fob.
Never heard of it? Search the forum and the interweb generally 'BMW key to chin for increased range'

You'll love it.

RADRACR · 03-25-2015, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimo

OP, try the key to chin trick - it definitely increases range and may just buy you some extra time with your dying fob.
Never heard of it? Search the forum and the interweb generally 'BMW key to chin for increased range'

You'll love it.

elerner61 · 03-25-2015, 02:02 PM

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ht=key+battery

JCF · 03-25-2015, 03:15 PM

Even with a brand new key the range is horrible.

Gregoryse · 03-25-2015, 07:14 PM

Got problems with my key aswell... I think I will try to change the battery as the youtube DIY.... Anybody know what kind of rechargeable battery it is?

Kimo · 03-26-2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregoryse

Got problems with my key aswell... I think I will try to change the battery as the youtube DIY.... Anybody know what kind of rechargeable battery it is?

I'm tellin' ya / not joking -
put the tip of the key on your chin and press the fob button - range will increase threefold. No sh!t

jeebus87 · 03-26-2015, 12:47 PM

You can get the same effect (without putting your key to your face) by touching the metal part of the key to your bare forearm and then hitting the unlock/trunk button. Even touching it to your palm will work to extend the range... and you look less silly

Kimo · 03-26-2015, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeebus87

... and you look less silly

I resent that comment, as I actually touch it to the tip of my nose for MAX range.

jeebus87 · 03-26-2015, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimo

I resent that comment, as I actually touch it to the tip of my nose for MAX range.

Function over form, right???

ShakyDog · 03-27-2015, 10:04 AM

Mousitch, are you still with the living? Have not heard from you in a while. Was beginning to wonder if you sold the Coupe :-O

Steve

mousitch · 03-27-2015, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShakyDog

Mousitch, are you still with the living? Have not heard from you in a while. Was beginning to wonder if you sold the Coupe :-O

Steve

Alive and well Steve! Not selling in the near future. Still makes me grin ear to ear! Got her out last weekend after our long winter.

03-24-2015, 09:45 PM	#1
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Key Fob unlock/lock/trunk failing to open sporadic Is there a battery in these? I know they recharge in ignition. Just wondering if the battery can be replaced? __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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03-25-2015, 01:52 AM	#2
Vanne Down Under!! 1621 Rep 4,294 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dubai iTrader: (4)	I have heard of guys opening uo the fob and replacing the batt, requires soldering and you must have a spare working one to recode the fob, otherwise a costly visit to the stealer will evolve. __________________ 2007 EuroSpec Z4///MC - Building/Developing Z4 GT3 Powered by
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03-25-2015, 07:51 AM	#3
RADRACR Captain 84 Rep 924 Posts Drives: '08 Z4 M Coupé // '09 X5 d Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota iTrader: (2)	Yep. Making the fob user serviceable is insanity when you can charge $250 for a new one (the cost of my old VW one). Now I just consider keyless entry a consumable luxury until the battery dies and I need to start using the keyhole. I suspect I'm almost there as the range is significantly shorter now. BTW -- how are you holding the key? You get a range boost if you hold it with the butt pointed at the car instead of the key part. __________________ '08 Z4 ///M Coupé (#1765/1815) — 1 of 68 Sepang Bronze / Black Nappa / Madeira Wood / 1 of 1 this combo 19" Advan RS / AP Racing / Bridgestone RE-11 / Autosolutions SSK / R.E. Diablo / R.E. trans mounts '09 X5 35d — Space Grey / Saddle Brown 20" Forgestar F14 / SCR Delete
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03-25-2015, 02:02 PM	#6
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ht=key+battery
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03-25-2015, 03:15 PM	#7
JCF Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Even with a brand new key the range is horrible.
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03-25-2015, 07:14 PM	#8
Gregoryse Private 6 Rep 51 Posts Drives: wiesmannGT5 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Malta iTrader: (0)	Got problems with my key aswell... I think I will try to change the battery as the youtube DIY.... Anybody know what kind of rechargeable battery it is?
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03-26-2015, 12:47 PM	#10
jeebus87 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 292 Posts Drives: '11 atacama yellow Z4 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (4)	You can get the same effect (without putting your key to your face) by touching the metal part of the key to your bare forearm and then hitting the unlock/trunk button. Even touching it to your palm will work to extend the range... and you look less silly
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03-27-2015, 10:04 AM	#13
ShakyDog Captain 183 Rep 623 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0i Alpine White/Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (4)	Mousitch, are you still with the living? Have not heard from you in a while. Was beginning to wonder if you sold the Coupe :-O Steve
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