cbv8 Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Hi All, My key fob has stopped working and the spare i have has never worked could it be that the batterys are dead or flat in them if so how do the batteries charge whilst in the ignition? Does the engine have to be running to charge them or can i leave key in ignition whilst in my garage? are the fobs/batteries i under warranty i bet not any help or advice much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V321TY Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Ooo I can help with this one (I don't often know answers) I was told they charge in the ignition and its best to swap the keys over every 6 months or so I think the ignition needs to be on and I doubt very much they are covered under the warranty. Really though...does that actually help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Ooo I can help with this one (I don't often know answers) I was told they charge in the ignition and its best to swap the keys over every 6 months or so I think the ignition needs to be on and I doubt very much they are covered under the warranty. Really though...does that actually help Thanks for that i will give the old fob a bit of usage i was hoping i could perhaps leave the key in ignition over night and hope it would be charged by the morning probably wishful thinking i reckon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blingsta Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 i thought the car needs to be running while key in ignition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 I have just checked my handbook and can quote the following :- "Each master key incorporates a long-life battery which is automatically recharged in the ignition switch during the journey. You should, therefore, use the master keys not normally in use to drive the car on a lengthy trip once a year or so, in order to recharge their batteries" So I reckon that means that the battery will only charge when the car is running. Hope that helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V321TY Posted August 31, 2008 Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 TEAM WORK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted August 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2008 Lots of brill advice as usual from a brill bunch on a brill site what more can i say exept thanks one food of thought though is i have just come back from Devon a 400 mile round trip. And with my granson in the back watching his dvds on one of those portable jobbies you plug into the cigar lighter i wondered if this took the power that was supposed to be for the key fob charging just a thought for you all to chew on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 TBH m8 sounds likes your keys have had it.......I have a similar situation with my spare...try to charge onna long joureny as per the hand book however no luck.....I think you need a new key and it will need recoding...whichI believe a new key and coding is about £150 (100 for the key and about £50 to code) all in. I have heard it may be possible to buy a key from ebay for under £20 and there is some guide on the web how to code the key yourself. Not hat a chance to look into it but worth a look. so more info here http://www.e46zone.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1503 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 TBH m8 sounds likes your keys have had it.......I have a similar situation with my spare...try to charge onna long joureny as per the hand book however no luck.....I think you need a new key and it will need recoding...whichI believe a new key and coding is about £150 (100 for the key and about £50 to code) all in. I have heard it may be possible to buy a key from ebay for under £20 and there is some guide on the web how to code the key yourself. Not hat a chance to look into it but worth a look. so more info here http://www.e46zone.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1503 Brilliant 150 smackers well i am using me second key at mo see if that charges up if not i think i will try the replacement battery job thanks all for the advice mucness appreciatususs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 be careful with the replacement battery job as I've read in forums you can damage the key and then it will really not work.....check out ebay.....and I'm sure mti might give you a hand if ya PM about the recoding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 be careful with the replacement battery job as I've read in forums you can damage the key and then it will really not work.....check out ebay.....and I'm sure mti might give you a hand if ya PM about the recoding. Thanks for the pr-warning mate i can confirm these buggers aint charging well they still dont work after swapping keys in ignition and driving quite a few miles. As to damaging the key i was going to risk the one that has never worked so if i knacker it i have not lost anything really. What i am wondering also is is there anyway to test to see if the ignition in the car is still charging the keys or has that perhaps packed up just another line of thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 good question.....not sure on that one? tbh you's could try talking to a stealer or if you know anyone that has the bently manual it should tell you in there. alternatively you cold try searching through goole for a result if no one replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 good question.....not sure on that one? tbh you's could try talking to a stealer or if you know anyone that has the bently manual it should tell you in there. alternatively you cold try searching through goole for a result if no one replies. Thanks for that i have got two BMW workshop manual cds off eblag but my p.c dont like em lots of info on them but pc keeps spitting them out think my pc is on way out or its me i try not to deal with dealer as in Bently name Bently prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 use the stealer to try and fish for info....it never hurts to ask....soem of these Cds from Eblag somtimes have expiry dates.....you could try setting your pc clock back 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 use the stealer to try and fish for info....it never hurts to ask....soem of these Cds from Eblag somtimes have expiry dates.....you could try setting your pc clock back 2 years.Thanks again mate for info much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta-Force Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 My car didnt have a rechargeable battery in it mine went flat and it was just a standard energizer CR 2016 battery in it £2.00 from asda job sorted just take the screws out of the back and have a look at it first might save you messing about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 My car didnt have a rechargeable battery in it mine went flat and it was just a standard energizer CR 2016 battery in it £2.00 from asda job sorted just take the screws out of the back and have a look at it first might save you messing about Thanks but my key fob is the diamond shaped one which is sealed for life but i will get a stanley blade to it split it open and see if i can change battery myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 take a look cbv it may be possible...i've read abou it in some other forums....but if you don't have a go you'll never know...let us know how you get on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 take a look cbv it may be possible...i've read abou it in some other forums....but if you don't have a go you'll never know...let us know how you get on There is lots of info on the E46 Fanatics forum BUT most the members are from over the water so info to bits suppliers is a bit irrelavent but info is VERY relavent if that makes sense I have found batteries on eblag item num-320292753144 and they are from UK they do say that the batteries are used in BMW key fobs so we might be on a winner here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 gdgd could be a good little addition to the DIy section if all the information and parts come together.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta-Force Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 Thanks but my key fob is the diamond shaped one which is sealed for life but i will get a stanley blade to it split it open and see if i can change battery myself Downer im Glad ive not got one of them myself then i think id split it and chage the battery too rather than pay £150 for a key jesus id want a full lockset for that lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 CBV any luck with opening the key fob? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv8 Posted September 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 CBV any luck with opening the key fob? Yep this is the state of play at the mo i have got to unsolder the two terminals off the board then when i order the new battery off eblag i hope the new terminals will reach then i will resolder em back onto board well thats the idea anyway P.S Watch how deep you put the blade in you DONT want to damage the pcb or loose your digits i put my fob in a vice and carefully sliced away with a stanley knife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBMW Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 nice one m8 ....will give this a try meself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blingsta Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 once the fob is opened (as above) does the batt not just come out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
