COMFORT ACCESS MALFUNCTION!!

[blktoptrvl]

Before you take the vehicle to BMW figure out how to make the error repeat. Then write it down step by step and give it to the SA.

After you have proved that it is an error and how it happens, you have then proven that it is the fault of the car (and therefore BMW) that it is wet.

[dok]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

Before you take the vehicle to BMW figure out how to make the error repeat. Then write it down step by step and give it to the SA.

After you have proved that it is an error and how it happens, you have then proven that it is the fault of the car (and therefore BMW) that it is wet.

I guess I may feel the actions and responses taken by BMW in this case are very odd and suspicious... but I assure you no buttons were pushed on the fob and it was at least 500 feet away. It appears you would not be upset if 1-2 inches of rain flooded your brand new car. Quality control for BMW is not my career description that is why I can afford to buy two! Just trying to keep people updated with a concern that is not isolated!

[The Big Easy]

Originally Posted by psadjew

Yes this has happened to me a couple of times and when it is raining of course. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer and they thought I was crazy and of course they could find nothing wrong. What is interesting is if the key is in my pocket and I am standing back from the car and I splash water on the handle it will lock/unlock the car--I don't get it.

This happens - the key is close to car (in your pocket) while pressure is being exerted on the comfort open/close portion of the handle by the water stream - this will cause the car to lock or open depending on its status.

Cheers,

[jpl]

like I said in previous post, it happen to me the same thing, windows half opened and sunroof opened, in a down poor while I was at sleep in a hotel.....
they claim it was my fault...cannot reproduce, BS as usual with BM
then it happen again, and they found a short on the inside driver door...wthen they replaced, so they claim, the door handle a second time...
anayway, after a year its OK

this week, in a snow storm, the winshield liquid did not poor...
then the next day, as I went to the dealer it was OK

they say, sorry, we can't reproduce, just like with the jerky transmission, that was stuck in second

after 20 years with BM, I am getting it repaired under warranty, and sonn I will place an add.....to sell the software loaded wonder

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by The Big Easy

pressure is being exerted on the comfort open/close portion of the handle by the water stream

FYI, BMW can never do anything simply...

"With the aid of the 3 sensors, the electronic outside door handle module detects the
status of the outside door handle. Each change in the status of the outside door handle
module triggers the corresponding function.
These functions are:
• Trigger pulse by inserting a hand into the handle recess of the outside door handle;
Capacitive sensor 1
• Unlock request by pulling the outside door handle; Hall sensor
• Lock request by touching the sensitive area on the outside door handle; Capacitive
sensor 2
Sensors
To protect the battery, the outside door handle electronics module switches off the
capacitive sensors for the driver's side after 192 hours when the vehicle is at rest. The
passenger-side capacitive sensors are switched off after 72 hours.
Capacitive Sensor 1
A pulse is generated when a hand is inserted into the handle recess of the outside door
handle.The pulse wakes up the electronic circuitry in the outside door handle.
If the vehicle is in sleep mode, the electronics module will wake up the Comfort Access
and Car Access System 3. This involves the outside door handle electronics module
sending out a wake-up signal via the CAS-bus.
Comfort Access permanently switches on the remote control receiver in order to receive
the data sent from the ID transmitter.
Capacitive Sensor 2
Touching the sensitive area generates a signal from the capacitive sensor 2 until contact
ceases. The electronic module in the outside door handle sends the request via the CAS
bus. The request is to lock the vehicle.
Outside Door Handle Hall Sensor
The Hall sensor is a backup system for capacitive sensor 1. After 192 hours, the outside
door handle electronics in the driver's door enter sleep mode. This period begins when
the vehicle is locked or unlocked. The Hall sensor remains operational for a longer period.
Sleep mode reduces the power consumption of the outside door handle electronics by
switching off the capacitive sensors. By pulling twice on the outside door handle (two Hall
sensor status changes) the vehicle is unlocked.
Note: Both outside door handle electronics modules on the passenger-side
and the rear outside door handle electronics module on the driver's side
switch off after only 72 hours.
Door Locks
The capacitive sensor 1 initiates the vehicle unlocking procedure.
The door locks are equipped with an additional spring to ensure the vehicle can be
opened fast enough. The spring exerts pretension on the central locking drive unit for the
unlocking procedure. The door is already unlocked before an attempt is made to open it
with the outside door handle.
Note: If pulled very fast, however, it may be necessary to pull the outside door
handle a second time in order to open the door."

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by nynd

Had my X two years with comfort access, no issue whatsoever. Must be something which is not functioning right.

Same here. I'm on my second vehicle with comfort access, no issues. I go to a car wash and keep the key in my pocketbook. I've never had the water trigger any lock/unlock or open the windows or sunroof.

Good luck!

[ABMW]

The fact that your key fob was 500-feet away is not evidence that it doesn't have the capability of communicating with the car. Unfortunately BMW does not shield their electronics and you'll not the FCC warning indicating your car is susceptible to radio interference.

A few questions:
1) Do you live within sight of high tension power lines?
2) Do you live within sight of any radio towers?
3) How are is the nearest cell phone tower from your home?
4) Where is your electrical circuit panel box, in your home, compared to where you place your keys or park your car at night?
5) Was there any lightning the night of the storm?
6) Do you own a modern microwave?
7) Do you use a modern cordless phone? If so, what GHZ?
8) Do you have wireless video game controllers?
9) Does anyone else close to you own a BMW?
10) Have you ever washed your key fob by accident, in the pocket of your jeans?
11) Do you own an iPhone?
12) Do you own any high powered stereo equipment or computer equipment?

The questions above, relate to the fact most modern electronics are "dirty" in that they release rouge radio transmissions that can disrupt signals, mimic signals, and cause unusual malfunctions. Very few consumer electronics are shielded from that interference.

If there were shielded, you'd know about it, because they would have cost more. It's possible your BMW was subjected to interference from any number of things, causing it to malfunction. Even a military jet flying overhead could have activated an electronic countermeasure, by accident, or could have been testing such a system if you live within a few miles of an airport (even a commercial airport). The point is, this is the unfortunate result of what can take place when electronics are installed into any device whatsoever.

Of note, each time I take my iPhone into my wife's brand new honda civic, the radio will start to hum at audible levels, even though the system is completely off. It's annoying as you can imagine. The only thing that will make it stop is turning the iphone completely off.

It's quite impossible to say what took place, but if you'd bet your life on the fact that you did not accidentally hit the key in your pocket or within your house (or your cat didn't jump on it), look at the list above and see if any of the items apply to your situation.

The fact that you're within a concrete home, 500 feet from your car, is unremarkable, again, as many items can act as antennas and can extend the range of your key fob by hundreds, if not thousands of feet.

Good luck.

[bracoX5d]

I think even if any of the above did cause his car to open, BMW is still liable. They should design their product to withstand this sort interference, particularly since the car is likely to experience all of the above. Customers shouldn't be the test lab for BMW, they should have tested for all likely interferences already.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by bracoX5d

I think even if any of the above did cause his car to open, BMW is still liable. They should design their product to withstand this sort interference, particularly since the car is likely to experience all of the above. Customers shouldn't be the test lab for BMW, they should have tested for all likely interferences already.

Correct. The parking brake and the park position of the transmission are both electronic, but I suspect BMW has tested them such that interference does not cause them to be released from interference.

[dok]

Originally Posted by ABMW

The fact that your key fob was 500-feet away is not evidence that it doesn't have the capability of communicating with the car. Unfortunately BMW does not shield their electronics and you'll not the FCC warning indicating your car is susceptible to radio interference.

A few questions:
1) Do you live within sight of high tension power lines?
2) Do you live within sight of any radio towers?
3) How are is the nearest cell phone tower from your home?
4) Where is your electrical circuit panel box, in your home, compared to where you place your keys or park your car at night?
5) Was there any lightning the night of the storm?
6) Do you own a modern microwave?
7) Do you use a modern cordless phone? If so, what GHZ?
8) Do you have wireless video game controllers?
9) Does anyone else close to you own a BMW?
10) Have you ever washed your key fob by accident, in the pocket of your jeans?
11) Do you own an iPhone?
12) Do you own any high powered stereo equipment or computer equipment?

The questions above, relate to the fact most modern electronics are "dirty" in that they release rouge radio transmissions that can disrupt signals, mimic signals, and cause unusual malfunctions. Very few consumer electronics are shielded from that interference.

If there were shielded, you'd know about it, because they would have cost more. It's possible your BMW was subjected to interference from any number of things, causing it to malfunction. Even a military jet flying overhead could have activated an electronic countermeasure, by accident, or could have been testing such a system if you live within a few miles of an airport (even a commercial airport). The point is, this is the unfortunate result of what can take place when electronics are installed into any device whatsoever.

Of note, each time I take my iPhone into my wife's brand new honda civic, the radio will start to hum at audible levels, even though the system is completely off. It's annoying as you can imagine. The only thing that will make it stop is turning the iphone completely off.

It's quite impossible to say what took place, but if you'd bet your life on the fact that you did not accidentally hit the key in your pocket or within your house (or your cat didn't jump on it), look at the list above and see if any of the items apply to your situation.

The fact that you're within a concrete home, 500 feet from your car, is unremarkable, again, as many items can act as antennas and can extend the range of your key fob by hundreds, if not thousands of feet.

Good luck.

Thank you for great replies! All I have to the questions above are normal home amplifier and video electronics, all 3 video game prototypes ( all off as kids were at school) and an iphone. I don't have a F18 jet though and certainly not in vacinity nor are we near airport. I will keep everyone updated to the situation and I have been informed of another developing fact from a former BMW salesperson that I will mention soon as all unfolds.

dok