Xoutpost.com - View Single Post - Preparations for main battery replacement or key fobs dying

workingonit · #1 06-26-2024, 12:11 PM

I've had my X5 for just over three years now, with a battery of unknown age installed, a single OEM key, and two generic Ebay fobs; I'm dreading the inevitable failure of one or all of the above items, and want to be prepared to replace them, and not get locked out of my X.

It's about time for one or more of them to fail, and a current thread https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ml#post1239546 reminded me of the upcoming problems. As the OP of that thread stated

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUUT

There is no option to input an unlock code, I think that's only certain models with the radio which mine does not have ( Usually appears on the dash cluster as C O D E _ _ _ _ If I remember correctly)

I might not be able to start my X, afterwards, if the EWS loses sync.

Battery replacement?

1) my trunk is full of tools and spare parts that I might need to work on the X (my personal truck, an '04 Chevy 2500HD, and my old daily driver, a '09 Chevy HHR Panel, both have/had the same sort of stuff always aboard)...it'd be a bear to remove all, and the spare tire, just to examine the battery for age and condition, especially since I'm old, and the X is always in the hot Texas sun (It'll be 100+ all week),
2) I'd like to test the battery with my carbon pile tester, but I have tested it via my old Innova 3100i scan tool (does my Foxwell NT510 Elite have a battery test capability ?), and it tested OK,
3) I keep a 1.25a Battery Tender charger/maintainer in use at all times at home, so it is always strong, but I fear eventually evaporating the electrolyte from constant charging in the heat of summer (I also charge three other vehicles, and I top their batteries up wit distilled water every summer)...I can't recall if I noticed what type of battery was in the X5, last time I was in there, so I might need to top up the electrolyte there, too,
4) if and when I have to replace the battery, I'm going to get an "OBD II Memory Saver Connector", so I won't lose the EWS coding,;is 9v enough or just use 12v?

OEM diamond key failure?

1) I only have a single OEM key, with the VL2020 rechargeable battery inside; I cut open the key to replace the dead battery three years ago (it died on the second day I owned it), and use a Philips Sonicare toothbrush charger on my desk to keep it charged during the extended periods of disuse,
2) I bought a generic VL2020 from Amazon, as the Panasonic battery wasn't available at the time, so I can't rely 100% on it lasting 20 years like the first fob battery did,
3) When I cut the fob open back then, I accidentally cut a small wire inside, and had to solder it back in place, so that might come loose at any time, necessitating the carrying of an extra key fob with me (to lock/unlock the doors/trunk, without using the doorswitch),
4) I have a replacement fob+key blade (with the blade already laser-cut) to transfer the OEM key's innards into (while also checking the state of the VL2020 battery, and the soldered wire, but I'll wait to swap it out until the original key fails

Cheap generic key fobs, second purchase?

1) I bought two new generic fobs from Ebay, three years ago, that I synced to the EWS at the same time I re-synce the repaired OEM key; the blades are uncut, and I only use them occasionally, usually if I'm just needing tools from the X5's trunk, and carry one with me just to use as a fob, if the OEM key fails,
2) the two keys came sealed from the seller, so I have no idea what kind of battery is inside, or the expected lifespan; I've used one for three years (the expected lifespan of most lithium watch batteries, like I suspect is inside), and I didn't use the other for the first 2.75 years, after misplacing it amongst the tools in the trunk, so it might last longer,
3) my plan is to order a second set once the first one fails, from the same seller, sync them, and continue using them sparingly as backup fobs for doors & alarm use

Possible EWS problems?

1) there's always the chance that my X will lose sync with the EWS, if trunk battery dies before replacement, one or more keyfob batteries (or internal wiring of same) fails before replacement/refurbishment, or the ignition key cylinder/switch/sensing ring assembly goes bad,
2) since my X5 has had the radio and MID removed and thrown away, how do I
- a) find the special EWS code,
- b) reset the EWS code,
- c) or bypass the rolling EWS code,
in a no-start situation, following one or more of the situations outlined above?

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