Comfort Access

Tony B · 01-18-2018, 03:57 AM

My driver’s side (right hand drive) door “lock” touch sensor has stopped responding - the unlock touch sensor is still fine. The passenger side still works OK for lock and unlock.

Any ideas?

Key fob battery is fine, and car has a new main battery.

Could it just be a sensor surface cleaning issue, or something more important.

I have a zero excess BMW warranty on the car, but would prefer a simpler solution than replacing the door handle sensor (painting required...) if possible.

EJT86 · 01-18-2018, 06:43 AM

My first thought is to check the associated fuse next
It wouldn’t be the whole handle just the keyhole cover part but I can’t see how that would be the problem unless someone stood there marring the top of it but even if it is it’s like $80 painted

deansbimmer · 01-18-2018, 08:09 AM

If the left handle works properly and it's just your lock function on the right handle that isn't working, then the main system is commanding properly and it's not a fuse or battery issue. There are two capacitive sensors in each handle (lock/unlock sense). The three wires are ground, power, and K bus. If the lock function is the only function not working, then it would suggest that everything up to the handle connection are OK, and it is an internal fault in the handle, and it will need to be replaced.

BTW, I'm also Mporium from eBay. I didn't have a white handle but have a set of black handles.

Tony B · 01-18-2018, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

If the left handle works properly and it's just your lock function on the right handle that isn't working, then the main system is commanding properly and it's not a fuse or battery issue. There are two capacitive sensors in each handle (lock/unlock sense). The three wires are ground, power, and K bus. If the lock function is the only function not working, then it would suggest that everything up to the handle connection are OK, and it is an internal fault in the handle, and it will need to be replaced.

BTW, I'm also Mporium from eBay. I didn't have a white handle but have a set of black handles.

Thank you for the insight!

I have now booked my visit to the stealers, for them to do their diagnostic tests/order the new parts.....31 January....that's quick...not.

dkracing · 01-18-2018, 10:46 AM

I will suggest what I believe happened to me.

Have you recently waxed your car?

When I wax my car sometimes wax gets left on the ribbed finger spot causing the car to immediately lock when I close the doors. Perhaps there is wax still on your "lock spot"

kscarrol · 01-18-2018, 12:51 PM

Had similar issue to the OP and it was a faulty sensor on the door handle. Not particularly expensive but the part comes unpainted so the shop must paint to match.

Tony B · 01-18-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkracing

I will suggest what I believe happened to me.

Have you recently waxed your car?

When I wax my car sometimes wax gets left on the ribbed finger spot causing the car to immediately lock when I close the doors. Perhaps there is wax still on your "lock spot"

I don't think this will be my issue.

I last waxed the car a good 8 weeks ago (i know..I know...my bad) and the locking problem only showed up a week or so ago.

dmppdx · 01-18-2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Had similar issue to the OP and it was a faulty sensor on the door handle. Not particularly expensive but the part comes unpainted so the shop must paint to match.

I was able to get an AW painted handle through getbmwparts.com. Maybe if it's an exclusive color or something it might be different. Its a very simple fix and a common issue so you might want to do yourself a favor and just order a new handle and put it on your self. There is only one hex head screw holding in on. I'm guessing it will save you around $300-400 to do it yourself.

kscarrol · 01-18-2018, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmppdx

I was able to get an AW painted handle through getbmwparts.com. Maybe if it's an exclusive color or something it might be different. Its a very simple fix and a common issue so you might want to do yourself a favor and just order a new handle and put it on your self. There is only one hex head screw holding in on. I'm guessing it will save you around $300-400 to do it yourself.

Never researched to be honest. Telling you what the dealer told me as it was handled under warranty... Out of warranty, you're path is clearly the way to go.

aswy6 · 01-18-2018, 10:02 PM

I had the same problem and what I did is I took the handle off and pressed those connectors down a little bit so when I plug it back in, they will make better connection with the mother side of connection. Over time electric components expand and connections becomes bad. This worked for me for around 2 month and then it started again. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not

Lucwarm2012 · 08-07-2019, 12:16 PM

Bmw 550i CA driver door on & off not working for quite some time. The car would not recognize my key fob. I replace both batteries in my key fob. My car battery was fine cause i had it tested. After coming from week vacation my car refuse to start. I figured it out that i kept my phone charger plug in which was draining my car battery when everything was off. My CA works fine.

Grip Addict · 08-09-2019, 06:33 PM

I will suggest something that happens to me.

Every so often my comfort access likes to go nuts. Like as soon as I close my driver side door the car locks, same for the passenger door.

It goes nuts right around the time I wash and wax my car. I only assume a little bit of wax that isn't rubbed in is on the sensor and it picks it up as a finger and automatically locks the car.

When this happens I simply grab a microfiber and rub in the sensor. Seems to work everytime.

Next time I wash/wax and I have this problem I will film something and show my fix working too.

67R60 · 01-09-2021, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmppdx

I was able to get an AW painted handle through getbmwparts.com. Maybe if it's an exclusive color or something it might be different. Its a very simple fix and a common issue so you might want to do yourself a favor and just order a new handle and put it on your self. There is only one hex head screw holding in on. I'm guessing it will save you around $300-400 to do it yourself.

This is the problem. Very common.

SUBFRAMERIPPER · 01-09-2021, 11:39 PM

Same issue with CA sensor. Bought a used handle on ebay.

ha9981 · 01-09-2021, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBFRAMERIPPER

Same issue with CA sensor. Bought a used handle on ebay.

Any chance you can do some electronic testing on the faulty handle? Perhaps we can figure out how to fix them.

If someone can send me a faulty handle I can take a crack at it.

01-18-2018, 03:57 AM	#1
Tony B Lieutenant 84 Rep 451 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3, MW, ZCP, 6MT Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Comfort Access - door sensor stopped working My driver’s side (right hand drive) door “lock” touch sensor has stopped responding - the unlock touch sensor is still fine. The passenger side still works OK for lock and unlock. Any ideas? Key fob battery is fine, and car has a new main battery. Could it just be a sensor surface cleaning issue, or something more important. I have a zero excess BMW warranty on the car, but would prefer a simpler solution than replacing the door handle sensor (painting required...) if possible. __________________
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01-18-2018, 06:43 AM	#2
EJT86 Brigadier General 2383 Rep 3,726 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2018 BMW M2 [0.00]	My first thought is to check the associated fuse next It wouldn’t be the whole handle just the keyhole cover part but I can’t see how that would be the problem unless someone stood there marring the top of it but even if it is it’s like $80 painted
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01-18-2018, 08:09 AM	#3
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	If the left handle works properly and it's just your lock function on the right handle that isn't working, then the main system is commanding properly and it's not a fuse or battery issue. There are two capacitive sensors in each handle (lock/unlock sense). The three wires are ground, power, and K bus. If the lock function is the only function not working, then it would suggest that everything up to the handle connection are OK, and it is an internal fault in the handle, and it will need to be replaced. BTW, I'm also Mporium from eBay. I didn't have a white handle but have a set of black handles.
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01-18-2018, 10:46 AM	#5
dkracing Banned 207 Rep 442 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Over there iTrader: (1)	I will suggest what I believe happened to me. Have you recently waxed your car? When I wax my car sometimes wax gets left on the ribbed finger spot causing the car to immediately lock when I close the doors. Perhaps there is wax still on your "lock spot"
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01-18-2018, 12:51 PM	#6
kscarrol Brigadier General 8908 Rep 4,107 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	Had similar issue to the OP and it was a faulty sensor on the door handle. Not particularly expensive but the part comes unpainted so the shop must paint to match. __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
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01-18-2018, 10:02 PM	#10
aswy6 Captain 261 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	I had the same problem and what I did is I took the handle off and pressed those connectors down a little bit so when I plug it back in, they will make better connection with the mother side of connection. Over time electric components expand and connections becomes bad. This worked for me for around 2 month and then it started again. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2019, 12:16 PM	#11
Lucwarm2012 New Member 4 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 550I xDrive, M Sport Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Delaware iTrader: (0)	Comfort Access driver door Bmw 550i CA driver door on & off not working for quite some time. The car would not recognize my key fob. I replace both batteries in my key fob. My car battery was fine cause i had it tested. After coming from week vacation my car refuse to start. I figured it out that i kept my phone charger plug in which was draining my car battery when everything was off. My CA works fine.
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08-09-2019, 06:33 PM	#12
Grip Addict Banned 1082 Rep 713 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: PA iTrader: (9)	I will suggest something that happens to me. Every so often my comfort access likes to go nuts. Like as soon as I close my driver side door the car locks, same for the passenger door. It goes nuts right around the time I wash and wax my car. I only assume a little bit of wax that isn't rubbed in is on the sensor and it picks it up as a finger and automatically locks the car. When this happens I simply grab a microfiber and rub in the sensor. Seems to work everytime. Next time I wash/wax and I have this problem I will film something and show my fix working too.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2021, 11:39 PM	#14
SUBFRAMERIPPER Private First Class 6 Rep 197 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	Same issue with CA sensor. Bought a used handle on ebay.
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