2016 Z4 key fob not working

[RayG]

A little help please. My 16 Z4 key fob has stopped working. I’ve replaced the battery, no luck. The central lock on the console works fine. Car starts and runs fine. I noticed this about a month ago, then I took the car for a ride, got out and the fob locked and unlocked the car as it should. Now it’s not working again.
Thanks

 

[Smartbear]

A little help please. My 16 Z4 key fob has stopped working. I’ve replaced the battery, no luck. The central lock on the console works fine. Car starts and runs fine. I noticed this about a month ago, then I took the car for a ride, got out and the fob locked and unlocked the car as it should. Now it’s not working again.
Thanks

Does the spare key still function as normal?
Rob

 

[B21]

Maybe try a second battery ….sometimes they can be u/s and or you didn’t insert it properly…

Those fobs aren’t charged by the car so it working after being in the car suggests loose connection…

As SmartBear says what gives with the other fob?

 

[RayG]

Thanks guys. I don’t have a 2nd key…..but I just came back from a 30 minute ride, drove in the garage, shut the car off and removed the fob. Then I tried the lock-unlock with the fob and it worked fine :tumbleweed:
????

 

[B21]

Other option is that the receiver onboard the car, it’s aerials are tired, damp etc

 

[Pondrew]

Thanks guys. I don’t have a 2nd key…..but I just came back from a 30 minute ride, drove in the garage, shut the car off and removed the fob. Then I tried the lock-unlock with the fob and it worked fine

Have you got a comfort access fob (one that doesn't go into the dash), or one you stick into the dash to start the car? The above posts are a little confusing IMO. :?

 

[B21]

Thanks guys. I don’t have a 2nd key…..but I just came back from a 30 minute ride, drove in the garage, shut the car off and removed the fob. Then I tried the lock-unlock with the fob and it worked fine

Have you got a comfort access fob (one that doesn't go into the dash), or one you stick into the dash to start the car? The above posts are a little confusing IMO. :?

Pondrew they are not confusing, you are confused … :tumbleweed: :rofl:

Being a lesser being never having had an E89 with comfort access the fob on both versions goes in the slot..

One one , the pleb version it has to go in the slot, the exec version can go in the slot or you can throw it on the floor..

 

[Pondrew]

Pondrew they are not confusing, you are confused

Not for the first time!
So with comfort access on the E89, you have a choice of whether to stick the fob in the slot?

I still presumed it was like a 'proper' comfort access BMW (like my 4 series) where there is no slot with CA. oke:

 

[B21]

Pondrew they are not confusing, you are confused

Not for the first time!
So with comfort access on the E89, you have a choice of whether to stick the fob in the slot?

I still presumed it was like a 'proper' comfort access BMW (like my 4 series) where there is no slot with CA. oke:

Correct..SWMBO F56 Mini has that same stupid system as your tank..I get in and think where the f**k am I going to put the key?

 

[Pondrew]

Correct..SWMBO F56 Mini has that same stupid system as your tank..I get in and think where the f**k am I going to put the key?

On the flip side, I get out of the Z4 and ALWAYS forget to take the key out of the stupid slot first time!

 

[Smartbear]

Correct..SWMBO F56 Mini has that same stupid system as your tank..I get in and think where the f**k am I going to put the key?

On the flip side, I get out of the Z4 and ALWAYS forget to take the key out of the stupid slot first time!

There’s something strangely satisfying about turning an ignition key to start a car! :driving:
Rob

 

[RayG]

Well I learn something new every day . I never heard of a “comfort access fob”, I saw the slot for it always just inserted it and pushed the start button.
I just went into my garage (fob in hand) and just pushed the start button and the car fired right up. Sooooo, if I didn’t just replace the battery in the fob , you would think it was a rechargeable fob wouldn’t you?
Stumped in Florida

 

[B21]

Well I learn something new every day . I never heard of a “comfort access fob”, I saw the slot for it always just inserted it and pushed the start button.
I just went into my garage (fob in hand) and just pushed the start button and the car fired right up. Sooooo, if I didn’t just replace the battery in the fob , you would think it was a rechargeable fob wouldn’t you?
Stumped in Florida

The base system security / start system has a rechargeable, in theory not serviceable, key fob that has to be inserted into the slot to enable engine start..whilst in the holder it’s recharged..

Comfort access has CR2032 batteries you can replace and by definition cannot be recharged..in the car or anywhere else..

 

[B21]

Correct..SWMBO F56 Mini has that same stupid system as your tank..I get in and think where the f**k am I going to put the key?

On the flip side, I get out of the Z4 and ALWAYS forget to take the key out of the stupid slot first time!

So the loud bonging sound doesn’t fire the synapses enough to figure out that as you open the door something’s up ? :tumbleweed: :rofl:

 

[Pondrew]

The base system security / start system has a rechargeable, in theory not serviceable, key fob that has to be inserted into the slot to enable engine start..whilst in the holder it’s recharged..

Comfort access has CR2032 batteries you can replace and by definition cannot be recharged..in the car or anywhere else.

So to sum up: the 'slot' in a comfort access equipped E89 is just a 'fob holder', somewhere convenient to put your key, as it clearly doesn't do anything...that's just plain stupid!

 

[Pondrew]

So the loud bonging sound doesn’t fire the synapses enough to figure out that as you open the door something’s up ?

No; it's a BMW. It's always 'bonging' for one reason or another; "I need a service, you revved me with the handbrake on, it's cold out, the roof is f*cked again....etc, etc"

 

[B21]

The base system security / start system has a rechargeable, in theory not serviceable, key fob that has to be inserted into the slot to enable engine start..whilst in the holder it’s recharged..

Comfort access has CR2032 batteries you can replace and by definition cannot be recharged..in the car or anywhere else.

So to sum up: the 'slot' in a comfort access equipped E89 is just a 'fob holder', somewhere convenient to put your key, as it clearly doesn't do anything...that's just plain stupid!

It’s got two great benefits

If you have two E89s, preferably Atacama Yellow, near identical , you can get in and start each car without thinking ‘do I have comfort access’

Also it’s a great place to keep your key…no holes in pockets , no which pocket etc etc

 

[Pondrew]

If you have two E89s, preferably not custard Yellow, near identical , you can get in and start each car without thinking ‘do I have comfort access’

Fixed. No..no...

 

[B21]

Correct..SWMBO F56 Mini has that same stupid system as your tank..I get in and think where the f**k am I going to put the key?

On the flip side, I get out of the Z4 and ALWAYS forget to take the key out of the stupid slot first time!

There’s something strangely satisfying about turning an ignition key to start a car! :driving:
Rob

Very much so…and..when the battery was almost flat yiu could turn the key till it twisted..then the car would fire

 

[B21]

So the loud bonging sound doesn’t fire the synapses enough to figure out that as you open the door something’s up ?

No; it's a BMW. It's always 'bonging' for one reason or another; "I need a service, you revved me with the handbrake on, it's cold out, the roof is f*cked again....etc, etc"

I ALWAYS assume the bong means ‘the roof is fucked…and..you are 457 miles from home, the roofs down, and it’s about to rain’ type bong