Small issue this morning...

[Lunker]

I have the convenience pkg, normally I enter the car with keys in pocket but it did not work this morning. I had to use the key to enter manually. This may have happened once before. Is the convenience function known to be buggy? Also maybe related to that all my radio presets were gone on the dash and on the presets within the MMI. Thinking I maybe left the car in radio mode when I left but not sure. Has this happened to anyone? Any explanations?

Thanks for help.

Still amazed by the technology put into this car. Discovering something new everyday.

[Erie Von Otto]

I have had this happen often enough that I brought it up during service at the dealership. They informed me that the battery had died in the fob. Apparently, there are two keys in there, one being rechargeable and sometimes they just die. So they replaced it and I plug it into the dash every now and then and I havent really had any issues as of yet. Its happened once or twice but I think I had my cell phone in the same pocket so probably my own doing...

[kscarrol]

Comfort access keys have a standard watch battery and do not recharge when the fob is plugged into the dash. Ultimatelty the battery dies and needs to be replaced. Non-comfort access keys are rechargable and charge while plugged into the dash.

To the OP, replace the battery in the fob and see if that does the trick...

[Lunker]

Thanks now I recall reading about the rechargeable battery in the non comfort access FOB. I'll see if I'm getting the same issue if so I will replace battery. Not sure that should impact the radio presets though.

[TxFeatFan]

Originally Posted by Lunker

Not sure that should impact the radio presets though.

I believe that the radio presets are specific to a particular fob. So if the fob battery is dead, the car may not know which presets to load for you.

[Grail05]

this happened to me once... so i thought changing the key fob battery would work...


WALAAA problem solve..

FYI if you have your iphone next to your key fob, the key fob will not work.

EDIT: in regards to your radio presets... im assuming your car battery is dying. check that out too.

[kscarrol]

Sean05 is right, try the key fob battery first. If that does not resolve the issue it is likely the car's battery. BMW has a stance that there is a certain minimum amount of driving required to maintain battery charge. If you are not meeting that standard they may make you pay for a new battery..

[Lunker]

Originally Posted by TxFeatFan

I believe that the radio presets are specific to a particular fob. So if the fob battery is dead, the car may not know which presets to load for you.

Man this car is too smart for it's own good. Ok thanks for info I'll try changing out the FOB Battery. Like I said, learn something new everyday with this car.

[SIIK2NR]

Don't have anything in the same pocket as your key fob.

[M3maniac20]

I had some problems a little while back with mine. It took a while for it to lock when having your finger on the pad but the weird thing was when I pushed the button to start it wouldn't recognize the key, but I would push it again and it would start. Dealer changed the battery and it hasn't acted up since.

[Michaeljh2000]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Comfort access keys have a standard watch battery and do not recharge when the fob is plugged into the dash.

You sure? My 09 manual says the fob recharges when it is plugged in.

[kscarrol]

It is not entirely clear but my manual explains how the CA fob has a replaceable battery. Will have to look up the exact page. The fobs functioned the same way in my '08 550, CA you replaced the battery while the non-CA fob charged in the dash.

Edit: Page 35 in my manual describes how the comfort access battery will need to be replaced from "time to time" and gives directions on how to replace the battery. As I recall it is a standard CR2032 watch/photo battery that you can buy at any local drug store etc.

[BPMSport]

Comfort Access FOB does not charge in the ignition. Non-CA does.

I've found the the comfort access system to be pretty reliable but it does have little quirks here and there.