Vehicle key: battery empty

samvora · 11-20-2020, 11:19 PM

In just 1 year and with minimal driving between now and March!! Anyone else experienced this and as simple as just taking it to the dealer and getting it replaced or can I change it myself easily?

TurtleBoy · 11-21-2020, 10:47 AM

I just replaced mine myself rather than driving to the dealer.

mitch57 · 11-22-2020, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I just replaced mine myself rather than driving to the dealer.

I replace the batteries in both of our key fobs every 6 months. These newer smart key fobs use a lot more battery power then key fobs for vehicles with far less technology.

James_G0540i · 11-22-2020, 03:46 AM

Yep its normal. I just replaced mine, lasted about 14 months (from Sept 2019).
These definitely draw more power, in comparison the battery in my F15 used to last 2-3 years.

samvora · 11-24-2020, 10:29 PM

Well so I replaced it with a brand new battery but the car still keeps giving the same error message. What am I doing wrong? I tried three new batteries and the same status on each of them.

jad03060 · 11-25-2020, 12:53 AM

If the batteries in that batch were old...they have not have much capacity left. BUt, if you're sure they're good, the fob may be defective.

Some of the battery packaging shows a 'good until' date...if it does, check. IF they are not stored properly, they can discharge as well.

biterror · 11-25-2020, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samvora

Well so I replaced it with a brand new battery but the car still keeps giving the same error message. What am I doing wrong? I tried three new batteries and the same status on each of them.

There was discussion that some batteries may not work well (their current output capability is too low). Try another manufacturer.

samvora · 11-25-2020, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biterror

Quote:

Originally Posted by samvora

Well so I replaced it with a brand new battery but the car still keeps giving the same error message. What am I doing wrong? I tried three new batteries and the same status on each of them.

There was discussion that some batteries may not work well (their current output capability is too low). Try another manufacturer.

I used energizer which I think is the best one out there but yeah ima try another one.

biterror · 11-26-2020, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samvora

I used energizer which I think is the best one out there but yeah ima try another one.

Check this thread: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1750372 Someone said that an Energizer battery did not work, but a Panasonic battery did.

samvora · 12-01-2020, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biterror

Quote:

Originally Posted by samvora

I used energizer which I think is the best one out there but yeah ima try another one.

Check this thread: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1750372 Someone said that an Energizer battery did not work, but a Panasonic battery did.

So yes Panasonic worked for me!

luckylingy · 12-01-2020, 06:37 PM

Another tip is storing your key(s) far enough away from the vehicle so that they don't constantly talk to one another. When I stored my keys just inside the garage (~8' away from the X5), the keys' batteries only lasted a couple months (especially the rarely-used secondary key). I've moved the keys a few more feet away, and voila -- no more dead batteries.

TurtleBoy · 12-01-2020, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckylingy

Another tip is storing your key(s) far enough away from the vehicle so that they don't constantly talk to one another. When I stored my keys just inside the garage (~8' away from the X5), the keys' batteries only lasted a couple months (especially the rarely-used secondary key). I've moved the keys a few more feet away, and voila -- no more dead batteries.

The key fob is supposed to shut down if there is no movement after a short period of time. Maybe it was just bad batteries to begin with or there is a minimum distance to that.

mitch57 · 12-01-2020, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The key fob is supposed to shut down if there is no movement after a short period of time. Maybe it was just bad batteries to begin with or there is a minimum distance to that.

I don't believe there is a minimum distance. I've tested this by leaving my key within 3 feet of the vehicle inactive for a few minutes. When I try to unlock the car by grabbing the door handle the car would not unlock. As soon as I picked up the key it woke up and I was able to unlock the car.

I think it goes to sleep even if you are in the car. It's happened to me several times with my wife's key while she's sitting in the car. I leave and walk away from the car and locks when I reach that distance where it automatically locks. I have comfort access set to "Lock when Leaving" but NOT "Unlock when approaching".

I think I've narrowed the problem down to the seat belt. If my wife takes off her seat belt the car locks when I leave her in the car. If the seat belt is on the car doesn't lock. In my opinion none of that should matter. If her key is present the car should not lock period!

samvora · 12-01-2020, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckylingy

Another tip is storing your key(s) far enough away from the vehicle so that they don't constantly talk to one another. When I stored my keys just inside the garage (~8' away from the X5), the keys' batteries only lasted a couple months (especially the rarely-used secondary key). I've moved the keys a few more feet away, and voila -- no more dead batteries.

My keys are more than 20 feet away and the key fob shuts itself off after a minute or so of inactivity and if the car is locked.

My spare key which has always been stored less than 6 feet away from the car has no sign of a low battery in over a year so this theory is bogus.

11-20-2020, 11:19 PM	#1
samvora The Dark Knight 418 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: E36, E46, E90, G05 and MB W205 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San jose, CA iTrader: (1)	Vehicle key: battery empty In just 1 year and with minimal driving between now and March!! Anyone else experienced this and as simple as just taking it to the dealer and getting it replaced or can I change it myself easily?
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11-21-2020, 10:47 AM	#2
TurtleBoy General 13178 Rep 19,667 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i,2021 M340i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I just replaced mine myself rather than driving to the dealer. Attached Images __________________ 2021 BMW G20 M340i xDrive - Verde Ermes/Black - 03/2024.40 2019 BMW G05 X5 xDrive40i - Phytonic Blue/Cognac - 11/2023.50
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11-22-2020, 03:46 AM	#4
James_G0540i Captain 446 Rep 810 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 G05 40i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Yep its normal. I just replaced mine, lasted about 14 months (from Sept 2019). These definitely draw more power, in comparison the battery in my F15 used to last 2-3 years.
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11-24-2020, 10:29 PM	#5
samvora The Dark Knight 418 Rep 1,260 Posts Drives: E36, E46, E90, G05 and MB W205 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San jose, CA iTrader: (1)	Well so I replaced it with a brand new battery but the car still keeps giving the same error message. What am I doing wrong? I tried three new batteries and the same status on each of them.
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11-25-2020, 12:53 AM	#6
jad03060 Major General 3154 Rep 6,789 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	If the batteries in that batch were old...they have not have much capacity left. BUt, if you're sure they're good, the fob may be defective. Some of the battery packaging shows a 'good until' date...if it does, check. IF they are not stored properly, they can discharge as well.
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12-01-2020, 06:37 PM	#11
luckylingy Lieutenant Colonel 3234 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: X3M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Up North iTrader: (0)	Another tip is storing your key(s) far enough away from the vehicle so that they don't constantly talk to one another. When I stored my keys just inside the garage (~8' away from the X5), the keys' batteries only lasted a couple months (especially the rarely-used secondary key). I've moved the keys a few more feet away, and voila -- no more dead batteries.
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