car key battery

[s.mac]

I thought my car battery was dead but it appears to be the key fob, any ideas how to open the key to change the battery :whistle:

[_Nathan_]

You need a soldering iron...

[bryce]

and a really big hammer...

Good question though.

[dave1]

has the car been stood? if so the battery might just be flat it charges when driving might have just gone out of sync

[Mark CSL]

Use the key they charge when it is in the ignition :thumbs:

Like dave1 said

[s.mac]

Thanks, I will give it a go, I've used the spare for the trip, I didn't know they re charged :(

[J.D.]

The keys don't have a battery as such you can change. Is a coil which is charged when the key is in the ignition when running.
If you are having trouble opening the doors with the key it could be the GM5 module on the way out. Common problem with E46's. Not sure how affected the coupes are as they have less doors to unlock!! Just had to replace two relays in the module on my E46 Touring.

Good site for info.

http://www.bmwgm5.com/

[sailorbaz]

Cheers JD, some good info there. So, in theory, if you never use your spare keys, could they loose there charge and result in being defunct?

Is it a good idea to rotate keys then?

[derek]

i thought they had a battery and it was charged via induction maybe im wrong but how does it store a charge for so long as coils don't store electricity, capacitors can

[J.D.]

i thought they had a battery and it was charged via induction maybe im wrong but how does it store a charge for so long as coils don't store electricity, capacitors can


Didn't want to get too technical but yes the key uses a rechargeable battery charged via induction coil. You can replace the battery but involves taking the key apart and having to resolder in a new one once you found the correct type. Is a DIY on it on E46fanatics i think.

Other issues could be that the key has lost its sync with the car and requires re-coding.

I try to remember to rotate the use of the keys to keep them charged but it is possible that the battery can eventually die...

[glendog74]

I see your signature JD - is there a CSL on the way? ;) :thumbs:

[J.D.]

Sure is. One of the faster Black version's. Being prepped at the moment and pick her up once back from Holiday :drool::drool:

[sailorbaz]

Glendog, was just about to ask the same. :hahaha:

Congrats on your purchase Martin! When you say prep'd, how do you mean? Prep'd for racing/trackdays or just prep'd for delivery to a new owner by the garage?

This will be the one time you'll be wishing your holiday is over quick, you'll be driving the wife nuts I'm sure. :whistle:

[J.D.]

Glendog, was just about to ask the same. :hahaha:

Congrats on your purchase Martin! When you say prep'd, how do you mean? Prep'd for racing/trackdays or just prep'd for delivery to a new owner by the garage?

This will be the one time you'll be wishing your holiday is over quick, you'll be driving the wife nuts I'm sure. :whistle:

A Black 53 plate with 38K on the clock. Having a few bits sorted on the bodywork and a paint correction carried out to get rid of the swirls. Mainly for road use but may try to sneak a Track day in. Trouble is that the wife has learn't from the bike track days the they cost alot more than just the cost of the track day:whistle:

[derek]

good choice Martin enjoy!!

[s.mac]

tried the key on a journey and still no charge :banghead:

[glendog74]

Sure is. One of the faster Black version's. Being prepped at the moment and pick her up once back from Holiday :drool::drool:

Nice one mate! Get your name down for the Ring trip in July - Daz may have a spare slot... ;) :thumbs:

[DazBlackCSL]

Nice one mate! Get your name down for the Ring trip in July - Daz may have a spare slot... ;) :thumbs:

Always room for one more at the inn :whistle:

[Mark CSL]

tried the key on a journey and still no charge :banghead:
Looks like you need a trip to BMW

[J.D.]

Nice one mate! Get your name down for the Ring trip in July - Daz may have a spare slot... ;) :thumbs:

Already got a trip planned to Donny for the Moto GP that weekend:banghead:

[J.D.]

tried the key on a journey and still no charge :banghead:


Is the key doing anything?? Does the other key work?? To attempt to code the key to the car try this..

>Definitions: button 1 on the keys is the one closest to the metal part of the key (this is the door open button); button 2 is the middle button (the door close button).
>
>1. Open the car doors using the remote function of your working key.
>
>2. Get in and close (don't lock) all the doors.
>
>3. Put the key in the ignition and switch momentarily to position 1 which is the first position when you turn the key clockwise. This is the accessory position. Don't stay in position 1 longer than 5 seconds; then turn the key back to the off position.
>
>4. Remove the key.
>
>5. On the key transmitter, press and hold button 2. Press and release button 1 three times within 10 seconds while still pressing button 2.
>
>6. release button 2.
>
>7. The system indicates re-programming by locking and immediately unlocking the door locks.
>
>8. If you want to do more remotes, you must do each within 30 seconds of step 7 for the preceding key. You just need to repeat steps 5 through 7 for each key after the first. You can knock off a dozen keys if you want in a few minutes.

Mine wouldn't allow the car to unlock the doors on the key button but would disarm the alarm!! The unlock function on the center console was also failing to work, but all locking functions worked correctly and this was the sign that the GM5 module was on the way out. Don't know if the coupe or the CSL uses the same module.

[s.mac]

Is the key doing anything?? Does the other key work??

no and yes

Thanks, I will give it a go :thumbs:

[DuncanR]

Is the key doing anything?? Does the other key work?? To attempt to code the key to the car try this..

>Definitions: button 1 on the keys is the one closest to the metal part of the key (this is the door open button); button 2 is the middle button (the door close button).
>
>1. Open the car doors using the remote function of your working key.
>
>2. Get in and close (don't lock) all the doors.
>
>3. Put the key in the ignition and switch momentarily to position 1 which is the first position when you turn the key clockwise. This is the accessory position. Don't stay in position 1 longer than 5 seconds; then turn the key back to the off position.
>
>4. Remove the key.
>
>5. On the key transmitter, press and hold button 2. Press and release button 1 three times within 10 seconds while still pressing button 2.
>
>6. release button 2.
>
>7. The system indicates re-programming by locking and immediately unlocking the door locks.
>
>8. If you want to do more remotes, you must do each within 30 seconds of step 7 for the preceding key. You just need to repeat steps 5 through 7 for each key after the first. You can knock off a dozen keys if you want in a few minutes.

Mine wouldn't allow the car to unlock the doors on the key button but would disarm the alarm!! The unlock function on the center console was also failing to work, but all locking functions worked correctly and this was the sign that the GM5 module was on the way out. Don't know if the coupe or the CSL uses the same module.

I believe that the above may not be correct, as I have just had to do this with my keys, and the procedure that works is this one, much the same as above but the buttons as pressed above are the wrong way round ;)

All your keys get reprogrammed at the
same time. Here is how it is done

1. Open the car doors using the remote function of your working key.

2. Get in and close (don't lock) all the doors.

3. Put the key in the ignition and switch momentarily to position 1 which is
the first position when you turn the key clockwise. This is the accessory
position. Don't stay in position 1 longer than 5 seconds; then turn the key
back to the off position.

4. Remove the key.

5. On the key transmitter, press and hold the unlock button. Press and release the lock button three times within 10 seconds while still pressing the unlock button.

6. release the unlock button.

7. The system indicates re-programming by locking and immediately unlockingthe door locks.

8. If you want to do more remotes, you must do each within 30 seconds of step 7 for the preceding key. You just need to repeat steps 5 through 7 for each key after the first."

[shimmy]

:thumbs:

great info Duncan, now get back to work!

[DuncanR]

:thumbs:

great info Duncan, now get back to work!

Im at my desk as we speak ! Busy booking flights, ferries,for Ring trips, paying for TD's to Spa,organising my UK TD's, sorting spare pads etc.,reviewing my racing trolley jack purchase, and a host of other tasks essential to the well being and running of my Company !!:hahaha:

[NZ_M3]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=451510