Comfort Access issues

[brownru]

Hello all, wondering if you have any suggestions on my issue. I have been recently having issues with my comfort access. The issue I have I haven't been able to find after searching through the forums. I am having an issue with specifically locking my car. When I initially started having problems, I replaced the fob battery and that didn't work. The same issue exists on both sides of the car, so I don't think it is a door handle sensor. Also, I have the same problem with both key fobs. Unlocking the doors using CA works every time, without hesitation. Intermittently, I get the alert that the key is not present, which I am attributing to the same issue. I have read that you can have issues with CA if the car battery is weak (don't know how true this is), and if it is true, this may be the issue since I have a 2011 that still has the original battery (to my knowledge; I just bought the car last August.). Just trying to avoid taking it to the stealership for diagnosis. Thanks in advance!

[Captain Apex]

So I had comfort access issues before, that went away.

My belief is that I had to much wax on the finger sensor and it was driving the comfort access crazy. As soon as I exited the car it would lock the car.

[cclinard1]

Low battery is a notorious culprit of all sorts of issues on these cars. I think that is a good start and replacing a 6 year old battery is certainly not a waste. It'll probably save you some more headaches in the near future.

[MShift]

My CA was acting up too when I was having battery issues, it's probably related...

[brownru]

Thanks all. Just wanted to make sure I was going down the right path!

[Tracyis300]

I'm having the same issue! Started to happen about 2-3 months back.
But in my case? It's obvious that it's the battery. Even the car tells me that it's the battery when i start it up
It's a 09 on the original battery that gets feed by the tickle every few days.

But yeah! Those are early symptoms of the battery getting weak. Soon your clock will start to reset on every startup

My service is due next month. So I figured I'll wait and have it taken care of then.
But in your case? Get that battery looked at or if you have EDC? To check that as well. It's known to drain the battery.

[brownru]

Wonderful! At least I know what is going on now! That is funny you said that, mine is due for service in August. I may just wait until then unless things start to get worse. I don't really have any other issues at the moment, so hopefully I can hold off. It just seems so weird that I couldn't find this elsewhere on the forum. I have read of folks that couldn't unlock their doors, but not folks that couldn't lock them (unless it was a door handle sensor issue). Thanks again, I appreciate having the feedback from the community!

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by brownru

Wonderful! At least I know what is going on now! That is funny you said that, mine is due for service in August. I may just wait until then unless things start to get worse. I don't really have any other issues at the moment, so hopefully I can hold off. It just seems so weird that I couldn't find this elsewhere on the forum. I have read of folks that couldn't unlock their doors, but not folks that couldn't lock them (unless it was a door handle sensor issue). Thanks again, I appreciate having the feedback from the community!

Did you ever get your CA issue resolved, was it your battery?

I have been having similar issues with CA. My car will not lock using the door handles (by the way both have been replaced). In order to lock the car I need to use my key however it cannot be any further then 1 foot from the door handle when I push the lock button.

The door will unlock with the key from about 10 feet away and by using my hand through the handle.

Other symptoms are:

- warning message that I don't have the key with me when I try to start the car
- when I start the car (sometimes) the radio will be really loud for about 15 seconds then either shut off or go to the last station I left it on at the proper volume level.
- my drivers seat will not move to the setting saved in the key(s) when I open the door.

Action taken so far:

- new battery in both the car as well as both keys
- replaced both door handles
- replaced 3 antennas in the car

I was thinking the only thing left to replace and get programmed is the CAS module, perhaps it's gone bad?

[BMWNTHZST]

Just thought I would update this thread. It could prove to be helpful for others having comfort access issues on their E9X cars.

My CA issues are finally resolved. It turns out that E9X series do not like LED lighting. I’m not saying all cars but perhaps cars with comfort access.

I had BMW OEM LED puddle lights (the ones with the M logo on them). As soon as I removed them and reinstalled the OEM fixtures all my issues went away. In short if you are having any sort of CA issues try removing any or all LED lighting from the car.

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by BMWNTHZST

Just thought I would update this thread. It could prove to be helpful for others having comfort access issues on their E9X cars.

My CA issues are finally resolved. It turns out that E9X series do not like LED lighting. IÂ’m not saying all cars but perhaps cars with comfort access.

I had BMW OEM LED puddle lights (the ones with the M logo on them). As soon as I removed them and reinstalled the OEM fixtures all my issues went away. In short if you are having any sort of CA issues try removing any or all LED lighting from the car.

Just tried it. Did not work for me lol

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by aswy6

Just tried it. Did not work for me lol

[BayE30]

i know that when my battery is showing increased discharge, the CA functions do not work.

[Ginlaan]

My issue is comfort access stops working and the clock gets reset and dash cluster loses it memory except for date. Time has to be set. New battery in car and remote did not solve it. Sometimes I can go days without a problem. It’s very random and not frequent enough to pattern.

[SoCalRPM]

I've been having issues, too...

It seems to want to work sporadically and inconsistently. For example, I might be able to get in the car with CA but then inside it doesn't recognize a key and won't let me turn the car on without inserting.

The next time I might get in, the CA might not open the door, so I'll have to press the button on the key fob, but then I can turn the car on without inserting.

Weird.

Mostly stock car. Alex Alpine tune. New battery a few months back when I did RBs.

I've replaced the key fob battery once or twice in the last six months, too.

Thoughts?

[mapster37]

did u register the battery after replacing it? if the car does not know you installed a new battery, it could still be cutting consumers to help save the battery=CA functions

[pwrdbym]

Originally Posted by Tracyis300

gets feed by the tickle

Is that a new R Kelly song?

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

I've been having issues, too...

It seems to want to work sporadically and inconsistently. For example, I might be able to get in the car with CA but then inside it doesn't recognize a key and won't let me turn the car on without inserting.

The next time I might get in, the CA might not open the door, so I'll have to press the button on the key fob, but then I can turn the car on without inserting.

Weird.

Mostly stock car. Alex Alpine tune. New battery a few months back when I did RBs.

I've replaced the key fob battery once or twice in the last six months, too.

Thoughts?

My issues were finally solved by a simple bulletin from BMW Germany. It turns out in some cases LED bulbs can cause erratic use of CA and other electrical interference. In my case the car had aftermarket LED puddle lights. As soon I replaced them with the OEM lights all my troubles went away.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Thanks for the update. Glad it was resolved.

[Dpc2u]

Originally Posted by BMWNTHZST

My issues were finally solved by a simple bulletin from BMW Germany. It turns out in some cases LED bulbs can cause erratic use of CA and other electrical interference. In my case the car had aftermarket LED puddle lights. As soon I replaced them with the OEM lights all my troubles went away.

Same here. I had the exact symptoms after installing Chinese cheapo led puddle lights. Changed those for BMW oem version of the led puddle lights and instantly, no more issues.

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by BMWNTHZST

My issues were finally solved by a simple bulletin from BMW Germany. It turns out in some cases LED bulbs can cause erratic use of CA and other electrical interference. In my case the car had aftermarket LED puddle lights. As soon I replaced them with the OEM lights all my troubles went away.

Weird. No aftermarket bulbs on my car. Still have the amber halos.

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Weird. No aftermarket bulbs on my car. Still have the amber halos.

What about fender turn signals or even the front turn signals. If you are not the original owner many people replace those items. Worth checking.

You might also have a faulty antenna. I believe there are 3 in the car. There are 3 in the E93 for sure.

[Dpc2u]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Weird. No aftermarket bulbs on my car. Still have the amber halos.

I have the Lux H8 180 halos but they caused me no issue, just the cheapo puddles. I think it had to do with their proximity to the door handle sensors. The OEM BMW puddles I put in did not cause an issue, but they are shielded and encased in a metal backing instead of all plastic like the chinese ones.