Locked out!

[Nanu]

Usually you get a spare key. Ever thought of just swapping the batteries?

[dr_john]

I have the spare key, it didn’t open the car either. Only the phone app opened it. I don’t believe that the battery drains in 4 months, my previous g29 went for a couple of years before running out. All working OK now.

I’m off to the dealers in the morning to discuss things, least of all having one of their guys quoting me £45 to change a battery. I shall have choice words to say.

[Argyll Andy]

I have the spare key, it didn’t open the car either. Only the phone app opened it

I agree dr_john, that’d be my issue I’d be raising, a 4 month old key and a spare, unused, key didn’t/couldn’t open the car

[dr_john]

This is the thing, the key fob wouldn’t open the door locks, but it did switch on internal lighting in the car. Upon unlocking with the phone app, everything was back to normal. Door locks clunked open, healthy audio beep, etc. Subsequent opening/closing with the fob is OK, and no messages about battery replacement.

WTF?

[ronk]

I suspect something is goosed!
A trip to the dealership it would seem or if it happens again, use BMW Assist

I don’t like explaining a problem to the staff on reception- i prefer to talk to someone technical as things get lost in the translation!

[dr_john]

Went to the dealer today and asked reception for ‘someone technical’ and was shown to a pleasant young lady who listened to my story and tapped it all into her laptop, while asking pertinent questions.

I’m booked in for Jan 2nd for a diagnostic scan and ‘health check’. Maybe I should get one for the car as well while I’m at it

[Nanu]

Today noticed a message on the dash informing me that the key fob battery is discharged?

I presume that is a roundabout way of saying the battery needs changing?

Earlier posts refer to BMW charging extortionate amount and the replacement is just a standard 2045 cell. Have you changed yours Ronk without any issues?

[dr_john]

I replaced mine on my previous G29 with Duracell 2032s without any problem.

[Nanu]

Thanks, just took a 2032 out of the spare key so should be OK as well

[dr_john]

Beware - The BMW tech that tried to sell me a new battery for £45 also said that the spare key battery will run down almost as fast as the daily key even if not being used.

Make what you will of that. I’m not convinced.

[Nanu]

Just tried the spare key battery and he is right. Lasted for a couple of journeys and I got the same message of battery discharged.

Bought two new batteries for a fiver and now all is well again.

[dr_john]

Just tried the spare key battery and he is right. Lasted for a couple of journeys and I got the same message of battery discharged.

Bought two new batteries for a fiver and now all is well again.

So how long did the batteries last?

I seem to remember it was around a couple of years on my first g29.

[Nanu]

The car is just over 3 years old so assume that is the life of the batteries.

Would have thought it would depend on usage but as the spare to my knowledge has never been used????