Comfort access questions

pesticidal · Post by **pesticidal** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 10:58 pm

Hi. Brand new owner of a 2016 Z4. I did a search but don't find anything exactly what I was looking for. My car's build list specifies that I have the comfort access. The doors have the ripples. But it doesn't open or lock when I touch the door. The fob does, however. I tried the three click reset on the fob, no go.

I didn't see anything on the screen menu to activate.

New battery in the fob.

Nearest dealer is 250 miles away

What am I missing?

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 7:04 am

Does the car start without putting the fob in the receptacle on the dash?

B21 · Post by **B21** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:14 am

I have the same package..seems that the sensors both in the door and the aerials/amps can go wrong…a decent BMW fault code reader will reveal such issues..IMHO you need one for this model range more than a screwdriver or spark plug spanner as the whole car is managed by electronics

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:11 pm

Do you have two key fobs ?

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:19 pm

Do you have two key fobs ?
Their is a procedure for resynching the key with your car, usually used when comfort access works but key fob buttons do not, but worth a try if you like, it goes like this.
1. Insert the key into the 'key hole' on the dashboard
2. Start the car and wait around a minute
3. Remove the key
4. Cross your fingers and toes (not mandatory)
5. Try your comfort access.

Anyone with comfort access should do this fairly regularly. Over time the key-car link breaks down and you can get to the stage where your fob battery is low but the car will not report it and your key could get locked in the car...

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 1:30 pm

mcbutler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:19 pm Do you have two key fobs ?
Their is a procedure for resynching the key with your car, usually used when comfort access works but key fob buttons do not, but worth a try if you like, it goes like this.
1. Insert the key into the 'key hole' on the dashboard
2. Start the car and wait around a minute
3. Remove the key
4. Cross your fingers and toes (not mandatory)
5. Try your comfort access.

Anyone with comfort access should do this fairly regularly. Over time the key-car link breaks down and you can get to the stage where your fob battery is low but the car will not report it and your key could get locked in the car...

Comfort access doesn't have a 'keyhole', though. It is keyless go. The fobs have proper batteries which need to be replaced when they wear out. The OP said he has already changed the battery.

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:59 pm

Pondrew wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 1:30 pm
mcbutler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:19 pm Do you have two key fobs ?
Their is a procedure for resynching the key with your car, usually used when comfort access works but key fob buttons do not, but worth a try if you like, it goes like this.
1. Insert the key into the 'key hole' on the dashboard
2. Start the car and wait around a minute
3. Remove the key
4. Cross your fingers and toes (not mandatory)
5. Try your comfort access.

Anyone with comfort access should do this fairly regularly. Over time the key-car link breaks down and you can get to the stage where your fob battery is low but the car will not report it and your key could get locked in the car...
Comfort access doesn't have a 'keyhole', though. It is keyless go. The fobs have proper batteries which need to be replaced when they wear out. The OP said he has already changed the battery.

There is still a slot in the dash for the keyfob to go

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:27 pm

Nictrix wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:59 pm There is still a slot in the dash for the keyfob to go

Really? I presumed it would be the same as CA on other models with keyless go as well as sensors in doors. Every day's a school day....

pesticidal · Post by **pesticidal** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:43 pm

I only got one fob from the dealer I bought it from.

I have to put the fob in the slot in order for the car to start. Oddly, I found out, if the car is running, and I shut it off, pull the fob out, I can then start it without the fob inserted.

I am driving it from North Dakota to AZ next month, there's dealers in the Phoenix/Mesa area.

Best to get a 2nd fob from the dealer? Or online ok?

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:54 pm

Pondrew wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 1:30 pm Oddly, I found out, if the car is running, and I shut it off, pull the fob out, I can then start it without the fob inserted.

Mines the same and I don’t have comfort access, I think it’s just a quirk of the car remembering the code for the key until it shuts down

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:19 pm

pesticidal wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:43 pm I only got one fob from the dealer I bought it from.

I have to put the fob in the slot in order for the car to start. Oddly, I found out, if the car is running, and I shut it off, pull the fob out, I can then start it without the fob inserted.

I am driving it from North Dakota to AZ next month, there's dealers in the Phoenix/Mesa area.

Best to get a 2nd fob from the dealer? Or online ok?

It sounds like you may have to change the fobs battery.
On the rear of the fob there should be a small part that can be removed to uncover the battery after the hidden key is removed from the fob.
If there is no removeable part to access the battery it must be the wrong fob if you have comfort access.

pesticidal · Post by **pesticidal** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:47 pm

Nictrix wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:19 pm It sounds like you may have to change the fobs battery.

Did that. I can use the fob from a fair distance away to lock/unlock.

pesticidal · Post by **pesticidal** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:47 pm

Nictrix wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:19 pm It sounds like you may have to change the fobs battery.

Did that. I can use the fob from a fair distance away to lock/unlock.

pesticidal · Post by **pesticidal** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:47 pm

Nictrix wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:19 pm It sounds like you may have to change the fobs battery.

Did that. I can use the fob from a fair distance away to lock/unlock.

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 6:34 pm

If you're not able to start without inserting it then I'd suggest one of the following....
1) Someone has changed to a non-Comfort Access fob!
2) Someone has changed the door handles.
3) Your Comfort Access is faulty - CA module gone wrong, receiver not picking up signal, etc

Could ve a good idea to have any fault codes read before doing anything else.

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