Remote Key issue **updated**

[Swiftly]

Right guys I am looking for some advice, I have done a search and not found an answer and also not heard of this problem myself, so hoping someone might have

I left work tonight and used the remote key and car unlocked as normal from about 15 feet away as I approached it. I drove home and parked the car up and as I walked away, the car refused to lock using the remote :headbang:

The car locks and unlocks okay using the key manually in the door lock. The car also starts okay no issues noted at all. At first I thought it could be the battery in the key had died, even though I do rotate the use of the keys every two months just to keep the keys charged. I even tried the spare key, same issue, nothing, wont lock or even open the boot. Eventually I did notice that if I pointed the keys up close into the car, (key almost touching the driver’s window glass) the key works and doors lock and alarm is activated, the same thing happens from the passenger side. However, if I stand directly in front of the car and point the key at the front windscreen, remote key doesn’t work. It’s like the car isn't receiving the key's signal properly.

Is there a key reset procedure I could try which might work, or is it the sign of a component failing?

 

[Worcester_spoon]

Not sure if it helps, but when I had an issue with my GM5 module, the guy also looked at my key as some the gubbins inside can fail, come apart, short out etc. Mine had and was partly the cause of my intermittent working (but like a lose connection). No idea if that's your issue, but symptoms sound similar (working, not working, sometimes working in one position, but then not when I moved to another position etc).

 

[Swiftly]

Not sure if it helps, but when I had an issue with my GM5 module, the guy also looked at my key as some the gubbins inside can fail, come apart, short out etc. Mine had and was partly the cause of my intermittent working (but like a lose connection). No idea if that's your issue, but symptoms sound similar (working, not working, sometimes working in one position, but then not when I moved to another position etc).

Interesting, is the GM5 module located behind the glove box? If it is I can easily check it to make sure that the plug connections are fully located correctly.

 

[srhutch]

GM5 module was my first thought to. Had this happen to mine just once 2 or 3 years ago. Never done it since though.

 

[Worcester_spoon]

If it's GM5, not sure looking will help. You'd need to open up the internals and check the solders on the resistors as its these that fail, along with the resistors themselves.

 

[Swiftly]

GM5 module was my first thought to. Had this happen to mine just once 2 or 3 years ago. Never done it since though.

Thanks, will see how it goes. Do you know if the unit failed, can the car still be manually locked/unlocked using the key?

 

[Swiftly]

If it's GM5, not sure looking will help. You'd need to open up the internals and check the solders on the resistors as its these that fail, along with the resistors themselves.

Ok, will see how it goes, worse case I will let my main dealer check it out as the zed is covered by an insured warranty so the module should hopefully be covered.

 

[srhutch]

GM5 module was my first thought to. Had this happen to mine just once 2 or 3 years ago. Never done it since though.

Thanks, will see how it goes. Do you know if the unit failed, can the car still be manually locked/unlocked using the key?

I could only lock/unlock with the key which when opening the door then set the alarm off. Had to start the car to stop alarm. Appraently you can send the unit off for repair and still use the car.

https://www.bmwgm5repair.co.uk/bmw-gm5-removal-instructions

 

[Swiftly]

GM5 module was my first thought to. Had this happen to mine just once 2 or 3 years ago. Never done it since though.

Thanks, will see how it goes. Do you know if the unit failed, can the car still be manually locked/unlocked using the key?

I could only lock/unlock with the key which when opening the door then set the alarm off. Had to start the car to stop alarm. Appraently you can send the unit off for repair and still use the car.

https://www.bmwgm5repair.co.uk/bmw-gm5-removal-instructions

Thanks and its reasured me, as it would just be my luck for the unit to totally fail and let me down in the middle of no where. Fingers crossed it is just an electronics glitch.

 

[hdo]

I think it's the receiver in the rear view mirror.

 

[Swiftly]

I think it's the receiver in the rear view mirror.

It's still playing up, one minute it works from a distance, drive the zed and park up, then it doesn't. Got the zed booked into the stealers a week on Friday to get it fixed.

 

[Swiftly]

Had the zed into the sealers yesterday, fault was diagnosed to a failing sensor located in the rear view mirror, so new rear view mirror is on order. Luckily the labour and part is covered under BMW insured warranty as I gather it is quite expensive. Hopefully everything will be back to normal in a weeks time.

 

[markplant]

That's a bit of good news