Digital Key Card Intermittency

eagle_bmw · 06-27-2019, 01:30 PM

For 2 days now my card is failing to open/close the car. It worked in the morning while driving to work but at noon it stops working. I had to use CD lock/unlock. Once inside the car I can still start the car or remote start with the app and drive after placing the card in the charging tray. The temperature outside is 80+ F.

I wonder if the NFC reader by the driver side handle has an issue at elevated temperature.

Anybody having the same issue?

russelldav · 06-27-2019, 10:35 PM

I find it can be unreliable when you're holding a smartphone or another metal object in the vicinity of the handle.

eagle_bmw · 06-27-2019, 11:47 PM

I took it out of my wallet and used with its small plastic transparent pouch. When I got home I tried again and it seems the position of the card in the driver's door handle matters. The success rate is better at the middle but still not consistent.

I guess I'd need to bring the key fob for now. CD is consistent so far but the app is too slow to lock/unlock the car.

russelldav · 06-28-2019, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle_bmw

I took it out of my wallet and used with its small plastic transparent pouch. When I got home I tried again and it seems the position of the card in the driver's door handle matters. The success rate is better at the middle but still not consistent.

I guess I'd need to bring the key fob for now. CD is consistent so far but the app is too slow to lock/unlock the car.

Yeah there's definitely a knack to getting the chip within the plastic card aligned to the right part of the door handle. Works best when moving through the handle in my experience as opposed to holding static - I assume because there is only a small area where the vehicle reads the chip so unless you are very accurate a sweeping motion ensures you hit it.

eagle_bmw · 06-28-2019, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russelldav

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle_bmw

I took it out of my wallet and used with its small plastic transparent pouch. When I got home I tried again and it seems the position of the card in the driver's door handle matters. The success rate is better at the middle but still not consistent.

I guess I'd need to bring the key fob for now. CD is consistent so far but the app is too slow to lock/unlock the car.

Yeah there's definitely a knack to getting the chip within the plastic card aligned to the right part of the door handle. Works best when moving through the handle in my experience as opposed to holding static - I assume because there is only a small area where the vehicle reads the chip so unless you are very accurate a sweeping motion ensures you hit it.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I 'walked' the card very slowly from right side to left side of the handle and it started working close to the middle. The same is true from left to right. When I was out yesterday I was trying the right side where we normally touch for locking with the key.

Center is more consistent but the car is in the garage with the temp cooler than outside. I will have to experiment on this again when I'm out.

midwestbmwguy · 07-15-2019, 09:15 AM

I have tried everywhere on the door handle!

Posted this on another thread!

What is the sweet spot to get the digital key to work? Seems that I don't always get it to lock or unlock the car. This is a frustration especially when going out on a run and locking the vehicle.

I touch it to the oval spot on the drivers door? or take it the the NFC 3 bars ))) on the handle? Touch it to the inside of the handle?
Does not always respond. What am I doing wrong?

When it does not work I try locking or unlocking with my iphone but there is always an issue there. Extreme lag time or network not available?

Is it me or my car?

russelldav · 07-15-2019, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwestbmwguy

I have tried everywhere on the door handle!

Posted this on another thread!

What is the sweet spot to get the digital key to work? Seems that I don't always get it to lock or unlock the car. This is a frustration especially when going out on a run and locking the vehicle.

I touch it to the oval spot on the drivers door? or take it the the NFC 3 bars ))) on the handle? Touch it to the inside of the handle?
Does not always respond. What am I doing wrong?

When it does not work I try locking or unlocking with my iphone but there is always an issue there. Extreme lag time or network not available?

Is it me or my car?

Have you tried in the exact middle of the outside face?

midwestbmwguy · 07-15-2019, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russelldav

Have you tried in the exact middle of the outside face?

My bad!
I watched this video and now I understand. User error....

eagle_bmw · 07-16-2019, 06:47 PM

The key card has been working consistently for more than 2 weeks now. The key is to place the card at the center face of the handle. My initial thoughts about hot temperature sensitivity is incorrect. Also in my case there's no need to rock the key card back-and-forth and it doesn't have to be taken out of the plastic case.

mzdial · 08-03-2019, 10:24 PM

I wish it was more sensitive, as I leave the card in my wallet. Then, I would be able to just bump my hip near the handle. Unfortunately, I have to pull the card out of my wallet -- so it's more than a hassle.

I just keep in my wallet as there is occasion that I walk out of my office and forget my keys on my desk. Saves a trip back inside.

06-27-2019, 01:30 PM	#1
eagle_bmw Lieutenant 183 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Digital Key Card Intermittency For 2 days now my card is failing to open/close the car. It worked in the morning while driving to work but at noon it stops working. I had to use CD lock/unlock. Once inside the car I can still start the car or remote start with the app and drive after placing the card in the charging tray. The temperature outside is 80+ F. I wonder if the NFC reader by the driver side handle has an issue at elevated temperature. Anybody having the same issue? __________________ 2019 X5 40i M-Sport 07/2020.54 -> 11/2020.50 -> 03/2021.50 -> 07/2021.85 [All OTAs]
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06-27-2019, 10:35 PM	#2
russelldav 456bhp for breakfast 425 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	I find it can be unreliable when you're holding a smartphone or another metal object in the vicinity of the handle.
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06-27-2019, 11:47 PM	#3
eagle_bmw Lieutenant 183 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I took it out of my wallet and used with its small plastic transparent pouch. When I got home I tried again and it seems the position of the card in the driver's door handle matters. The success rate is better at the middle but still not consistent. I guess I'd need to bring the key fob for now. CD is consistent so far but the app is too slow to lock/unlock the car. __________________ 2019 X5 40i M-Sport 07/2020.54 -> 11/2020.50 -> 03/2021.50 -> 07/2021.85 [All OTAs]
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07-15-2019, 09:15 AM	#6
midwestbmwguy Private First Class 38 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X6M- 40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	I have tried everywhere on the door handle! Posted this on another thread! What is the sweet spot to get the digital key to work? Seems that I don't always get it to lock or unlock the car. This is a frustration especially when going out on a run and locking the vehicle. I touch it to the oval spot on the drivers door? or take it the the NFC 3 bars ))) on the handle? Touch it to the inside of the handle? Does not always respond. What am I doing wrong? When it does not work I try locking or unlocking with my iphone but there is always an issue there. Extreme lag time or network not available? Is it me or my car?
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07-16-2019, 06:47 PM	#9
eagle_bmw Lieutenant 183 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The key card has been working consistently for more than 2 weeks now. The key is to place the card at the center face of the handle. My initial thoughts about hot temperature sensitivity is incorrect. Also in my case there's no need to rock the key card back-and-forth and it doesn't have to be taken out of the plastic case. __________________ 2019 X5 40i M-Sport 07/2020.54 -> 11/2020.50 -> 03/2021.50 -> 07/2021.85 [All OTAs]
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08-03-2019, 10:24 PM	#10
mzdial Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 219 Posts Drives: '19 G20 330i & '19 G01 X3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Zionsville, IN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2019 BMW 330i X-Dri ... [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 X-Drive ... [0.00]	I wish it was more sensitive, as I leave the card in my wallet. Then, I would be able to just bump my hip near the handle. Unfortunately, I have to pull the card out of my wallet -- so it's more than a hassle. I just keep in my wallet as there is occasion that I walk out of my office and forget my keys on my desk. Saves a trip back inside.
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