Key fob range too short - is it just the batteries?

G

glastoveteran

Active member
 Bristol
My key fob generally only works to lock / unlock from a few metres away, and with this weather it's nice to be able to hold the button down as you're walking back to the car so the windows open as well, and it makes it harder to do this with a poor range.

Is it just likely that the batteries need replacing? Having said that aren't they recharged when the key is in so maybe they're just not holding much charge? Are they easy to replace? Car is almost 4 years old.

Thanks all.
 
I must say mine doesn't seem to work so well when approached from behind, but is very reasonable from the front and even the side!
 
Battery is not readily replacable as you have to cut the case up. It is then soldered in. There is in reality no need to ever change them and they charge up quickly while in the ignition. If the battery went flat in moments and could not open the car when close then they may be faulty.

Poor range is most likely due to the angle from which you appraoch the car, direct line of sight from key to sensor and external signals that reduce the effective range.

Mine on a 2003 happily blips 3 times and has the roof fully down before I reach the car.
 
Time for the aftermarket 'chin' mod ? ..

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&safe=off&q=BMW+key+on+your+chin&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=BMW+key+on+your+chin&gs_rfai=&fp=7c6d87d5ef15e3d
 
Batteries charge quickly. I use one key during the week and the other on weekends just to keep them charged. The range is much shorter than in my previous 325Ci. My service adviser said it was due to the location of the antenna-it's in the left rear, down low rather than in the C pillar like my old 3.
 
Thanks all for the replies.

My reason for thinking it was the batteries was because I've had 2 Z4 coupes before my current M and the range on this is significantly shorter than my previous cars, no matter what the angle, so I don't think it's necessarily that.

I do use both keys actively and I haven't tried any scientific tests, but I don't think either is better than the other. I will try a couple of different angles in an open space and test exactly what the range seems to be. Perhaps it's just me expecting the range to be more than it is, but I certainly didn't notice problems with my other two Z4s.
 
Cj do you have the reinhold roof unit? I have an 03 and my dealer said my car cannot remote open the roof?

My key has a very specific range seems about 10 meters either through a wall or in open air
 
Hotride said:
Cj do you have the reinhold roof unit? I have an 03 and my dealer said my car cannot remote open the roof?

My key has a very specific range seems about 10 meters either through a wall or in open air
Click to expand...


Yes I do and their 1 touch module too.

At the time fitted it was the only option, however since then others have reported getting indy's using autologic to do it even on prefacelift models. Dealers can't do it.
 
Ahh great thanks. My dealer is maybe 1/2km from my house and my mate is a salesman so they are always my first stop, but I think I might go and look for a decent Indy tomorro. Ordering and installing the unit sounds more time/money consuming.

if I can find an Indy to add it for less then an hours labour Ill book it in asap, it's one of those things that really should have been included from factory
 
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