Key fobs and toothbrushes...

Sidewaze Samm

Sidewaze Samm

Senior member
 Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border
I've read on here a few times over the past couple of years, advice given to charge a non-functioning OEM key fob on a charger for a toothbrush.
Has anyone actually had success doing this? and if so:
How did you position the key on the charger - flat (somehow), on it's side, upside down? (I have a Braun Oral B toothbrush)
How long did it take?

The problem I have is:
Both keys worked fine remotely at car purchase 12 months ago - when I selected one key as main and put one away as spare.
I've recently noticed that the working remote range of the main key varies from easily upwards of 20 feet to as little as 3 feet, and then only if pointing at the rear view mirror. There's no telling how well it will work until I try it.
So I thought I'd get the spare key out only to find that it will not work remotely at all, even when next to the mirror. It had previously worked wonderfully.
If it makes any difference, the car has had the GM5 module replaced (central locking became haphazard) though I'm honestly not sure when the issue with the main key started, in relation to this.

As regards the toothbrush charging, I would have used the spare key in the ignition for my 600-mile roadtrip over the bank holiday - but the zed clearly wanted to stay at home so spat it's coolant out the night before departure :headbang:
Still, wifey's Cooper S wasn't too bad I suppose...


Just thought... will the second key need coding to the new GM5 (that key wasn't with the car when the module was changed)?
 
Yes the toothbrush charger will charge a key, just lay the key on the charging base. If your key has lost sync then it will require resyncing and all other keys must be synced straight after the first one. The magic eye in the rear view mirror talks to the keys for the locking functions so when syncing keys hold them in line with your ear so they are near the mirror. There is a key button pressing sequence you have to do to sync a key to the car. Threads on here that detail methods, do a search to find them.
 
I cut a short section from a toilet roll inner tube and put it round the charger so the key can lay flat on top.
I got fed up with it falling off!
 
There is this option too.................
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1952630#p1952630
 
Sidewaze Samm said:
healeyneil said:
I just discovered that replacement keys do not have rechargeable batteries
Click to expand...
you mean replacements from the dealer... How much are they ?
Click to expand...

No. I meant replacements from independent guys. 3 years ago, I paid £40 for a complete key - including key cutting, but that was mates rates ( and the battery lasted nearly 3 years ! )
But the same mates rate I paid £150 for a spare key for my new to me F11 🤢
 
With the replacement key, the battery compartment flips open with a small screwdriver. Couldn’t tell you the battery, but it’s a CR 36 or something like that
 
healeyneil said:
With the replacement key, the battery compartment flips open with a small screwdriver. Couldn’t tell you the battery, but it’s a CR 36 or something like that
Click to expand...

That's the compfort access key that can be changed, right ?

Non you have to break open and re-glue etc ? I beleive. Mine have no access without cracking open.
 
I got one of these, very handy. Charges my Mobile phone also. 8)

https://www.az-tech.my/product-details.php?id=81
 
I used my spare key when I used my car last Wednesday and couldn't get the car to lock, so I had to use the key in the door lock.

To be fair I hadn't used it for ages, but after a night on my Oral B charger remote locking worked fine the next day so it does seem to work. :)
 
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