Keyfob battery "low" warning
 

Hi Guys,

Wanted to ask you for help, I`ve replaced the battery in the keyfob as the low battery warning light appeared a week ago (2032 cell). Since then the warning light pops up occasionally despite the new battery. I`ve placed a second new battery in/left the key in the ignition slot/left it lying in the car - but I still get the warning light (have comfort access). Any ideas would be appreciated......

Cheers,

Comfort access keyfobs are not rechargeable in the ignition... it's just the standalone battery in the fob you need to replace - are both new batteries you tried from the same package? Curious, idrive or the dash warns you of this low battery? Interesting.

I realize this, I was hoping that the car would "recognize" the new battery if I left it is the ignition. The warning pops up in the central display (close to the handbreak icon) for 3 seconds.

Cheers,

Sensors within the fob were non-functional and so the unit in which the cut key slips in was replaced. Hope this helps someone.

Cheers,

I still a bit confused...Over the last several weeks I've been getting the same warning message. I thought by just sticking the key fob in the ignition that was charging the battery but obviously I still get the warning message. It's not every time either it'll go a few days in between. Do I have to replace the batteries in the key fob?

Same issue on my end.....If I insert the key and drive around for a couple trips, I wont get the warning for days. Funny thing is the key still works fine even when I get the warning. The warning states....battery is discharged with a picture of a battery and a line through it. I'm not getting the warning on the second key. It rarely gets used.........Phil

That may not be accurate. As I understand it, there are two batteries in a comfort access key fob; one battery is replaceable the other is rechargable and sealed in the fob just like otehr BMW keys. Even though I have comfort access, my service advisor told me to occaisionally put the key in the slot to keep the sealed battery charged. I did not try to verify this.

^ I'd love confirmation because mine's also running out after 2 years. Easy to replace though.

EDIT>> my '08 manual states that comfort access keys contain a battery that MUST be replaced and never mentions recharging. I also just popped mine open and it contains a Panasonic CR2032 lithium battery.

Another replacement as well....I just replaced mine. I also check online and I didn't see anything regarding a second internal battery. It's a 1 minute fix.....Phil

Just wanna say .. thanks, guys, for sharing your experiences with Comfort Access. Based on all I've read in this thread and others, I just cancelled this $1000 option on my newly ordered, production this week, X5 35d. I can't imagine all this complexity for something as simple as opening and locking doors!