Convenience Access confused - How to reinitialize?

[davem3fan]

First, I have Convenience Access, which I like very much.

At lunch, I turned off the car, got out and went to lock the door by touching the handle... That no longer works.

I then tried to push the lock button on the fob.
That no longer works.

I did repeated attempts, but now I must use the manual key to lock and unlock the car... (i know, boo-hoo..)

Does anyone know how to restart the system to make it find the fob again.
Perhaps "erase key specific settings" in iDrive?

Any tips appreciated! Thanks.

[southlight]

Did you check the battery in the key fob? It's not rechargeable and might be low.


Best regards,
south

[davem3fan]

Sorry, forgot to mention that I have charged it on a recent 2+ hour trip, (by using it in the dash key slot) so I think the fob is charged...

Drove back to the office the same way so that it might do a new "handshake" but it did not help.

[JCtx]

First of all, the battery on CA fobs is NOT RECHARGEABLE! No need to ever insert it in the slot, except for some diagnostic functions. Change the battery; it's a CR2032 if I'm not mistaken. You can buy it at Wal-Mart. Check your manual on how to remove it.

Originally Posted by davem3fan

Perhaps "erase key specific settings" in iDrive?

Doing that would erase all memories associated with the key being used. You'd lose your seat memories, your HVAC settings, radio settings (plus the 6 programmable keys), 'power' and 'EDC' settings, and 'M' settings. Don't do it. Not fun having to reprogram everything. Good luck man.

[davem3fan]

My bad, I thought it was rechargeable. I'm not sure where I got that idea.
THANKS for the clarification! I'm glad I didn't blow-up my settings.

Hittin' Radio Shack on the way home.

NOTE:
CR 2032 battery is correct.

Thanks again!

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by davem3fan

Thanks again!

Always happy to help. Glad you didn't erase your settings. I did when I thought that function was to NOT have any settings 'attached' to a key, but quickly learned that's not possible . Had to reprogram everything; that's why I know .

Anyway, a new battery should resolve all your issues. Please keep us posted if that's the case. And it shouldn't affect your settings, but am curious about that too. Good luck.

[davem3fan]

I replaced the battery, and it lost all of the key specific settings anyway...
I had to reset memory keys, lights, locks, m settings, seat and mirrors.

Not that big of a deal, just glad it works as normal again.

[JohnnyRoaster]

I think if you replace the battery in the fob in under 30 seconds it doesn't lose your settings. I didn't see it in the manual but may have just heard it from somebody. I was able to change my battery without losing my settings.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I think if you replace the battery in the fob in under 30 seconds it doesn't lose your settings. I didn't see it in the manual but may have just heard it from somebody. I was able to change my battery without losing my settings.

i could believe that,
how long should the CR2032 battery last? Mine is over a year old, and still no problems ?

[davem3fan]

I took longer than that... Live and learn. I'd say that I press and hold to open windows a lot during the summer. I'm sure that accelerates battery discharge.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by davem3fan

I took longer than that... Live and learn. I'd say that I press and hold to open windows a lot during the summer. I'm sure that accelerates battery discharge.

i open/close my roof from the key on a daily basis, multiple times per day!

[JohnnyRoaster]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

i could believe that,
how long should the CR2032 battery last? Mine is over a year old, and still no problems ?

I have heard anywhere from 2 months to 2 years. I was frustrated with the unlock range on mine and changed it at about 3 months. I can now unlock from about 40 feet away and put the windows down at about 15 feet. The original battery may have been old when it was put in. I have also heard that some people park close enough to where their keys hang that the battery discharges very quickly. My car was an ED and I would guess the key was sitting in the car for the five weeks coming over.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I think if you replace the battery in the fob in under 30 seconds it doesn't lose your settings. I didn't see it in the manual but may have just heard it from somebody. I was able to change my battery without losing my settings.

Good info. Thanks.

My car was a year old when I bought it, so might be a good idea to replace the batteries before they crap out. It'd be nice iDrive had a low-battery warning . Oh well. We can do it as a 2-yr maintenance as a precaution, I guess. Good day folks.