E46 Key fob issue

[Lizzard]

Morning,

I have a problem with a friends E46 2005 model where the keyfob keeps on loosing it's remote lock / unlock function.

I reinitialized the key, that worked for a while. I replaced the battery with a non chargeable one and it worked for about a week.

Just last week we replaced the battery with the Panasonic VL2020 chargeable battery and sure enough it died on us last night:dunno: I have checked the errors with the diagnostics software and no error codes was found on the FZV or the GM5, used all of them INPA, DIS and ISTA (jip I have them all :rollsmile

I am lost for words now as I can't understand why the key fob is not holding the charge for the battery and batteries only last like literally a week every time (bit expensive if you keep going this way).

Any help or direction will be appreciated

 

[Blue Shirt]

I believe that the battery has to be soldered into the key fob in order to work properly.

Where did you buy the VL2020 battery, locally or imported?

 

[Denzel]

i have the same issue with my e46 m3 i have an aftemarket key and after 2years the distance of the remote is lost i have to be real close to the car to 0pen/unlock... replaced the battery on Saturday which did not help .

im having my original bmw key repaired(new re-chargleble battery and casing) as the distance and functions is much better on a original key

i also read something about the remote reciever giving trouble on the e46s think they are found on the mirror or rear post

 

[Lizzard]

I believe that the battery has to be soldered into the key fob in order to work properly.

Where did you buy the VL2020 battery, locally or imported?

We have done that here at work :rollsmile:, benefits of working at a factory.

I have looked high and low and found only one place close to us, Pretoria that is. Below is the info,
http://za.rs-online.com/web/p/coin-button-rechargeable-batteries/0407877/

---

i have the same issue with my e46 m3 i have an aftemarket key and after 2years the distance of the remote is lost i have to be real close to the car to 0pen/unlock... replaced the battery on Saturday which did not help .

im having my original bmw key repaired(new re-chargleble battery and casing) as the distance and functions is much better on a original key

i also read something about the remote reciever giving trouble on the e46s think they are found on the mirror or rear post

The thing I think that is wrong is that the key doesn't get charged from the ignition and need to look into if the problem isn't there as the key works, the FZV works (thing in the window pillar) and the GM5 works as the other function on the car is working.

I am scared of buying a new key (can get one for R1400) and then it doesn't work

Is there maybe a way I can check this key charging portal from the diagnostics INPA, DIS and ISTA?

 

[beezo003]

Howzit Lizzard

My Key stopped all of a a sudden one day, so i went to action locksmiths in town, they fixed the old one and made a new one for i think R2000.

so far no problems

 

[GPGrobler]

Thanks for all the info guys, so a complete key for R2000.00 is mostly the budget for these?

---

Morning,

I have a problem with a friends E46 2005 model where the keyfob keeps on loosing it's remote lock / unlock function.

I reinitialized the key, that worked for a while. I replaced the battery with a non chargeable one and it worked for about a week.

Just last week we replaced the battery with the Panasonic VL2020 chargeable battery and sure enough it died on us last night:dunno: I have checked the errors with the diagnostics software and no error codes was found on the FZV or the GM5, used all of them INPA, DIS and ISTA (jip I have them all :rollsmile

I am lost for words now as I can't understand why the key fob is not holding the charge for the battery and batteries only last like literally a week every time (bit expensive if you keep going this way).

Any help or direction will be appreciated

Has the charge function of the "keyhole" not become defective in some way, maybe the magnetic field is too weak to charge the key due to a bad connection?

 

[Lizzard]

Hi GPGrobler,

I don't know how to verify if the E46 EWS ring antenna is working. I have looked it up and only see that if the car is not starting that this unit is bad

And that is working, it's just that the keyfob doesn't hold charge as the batteries keeps on going flat in it. It works on the 1st day and depends on the mAh it last for 4 days to 2 weeks.

Don't you know how I can test the EWS ring antenna with the software to see if it is charging the key or if the field is weak? :blueCry:

 

[Xack]

My Fob key wont start my car, unless i start it with the original key first, only then it works......

 

[Blue Shirt]

My Fob key wont start my car, unless i start it with the original key first, only then it works......

Sounds like you have to re-initialize your keys.

Instructions here.