COMFORT ACCESS MALFUNCTION!!
 

I was wondering if this has happened to anyone yet? 2010 X5 35d three weeks old 1400 miles. When my wife left in the morning the car was locked and completely closed when I left the house 4-5 hours later all the windows were opened including sunroof. when I walked up to car with the key in my pocket the doors would not open so I had to reach in and push the door unlock button. then I pushed start the third time it responded normally. My keys were on my desk 500 feet away behind concrete walls so they were not triggered. Now here is the major problem it rained 1-2 inches in the car on the controls, water was in the roof liner so it was dripping from light and console on roof up front. I called BMW assist and they said to take it to nearest dealer. I have done this and they are examining right now. I have alot of concerns I'm hoping some of you can help me with:

1. has this happened before to any one?
2. what should I expect from BMW?
3. I have comfort seats with ventilation how will they be affected should they be replaced?
4. the carpet most suredly will be destroyed and smell over time should this be ripped out and replaced?
5. overall what should my demands be as I have been disappointed thus far and expect they may try to blow this issue off!

Thank you for your help

Dok

Do a search...it has come up more times than it should.

Tim

Is there anyone out there WITHOUT Comfort Access that has had this happen?

I recalled reading similar postings earlier and wonder if this is associated with the comfort access, or some system/flaw in the basic vehicle.

This should not happen either! if you remote/power lock your car even with the window down, by pressing the unlock from the inside, your car should NOT open. This is a BMW security feature. Imagine if you car is locked and someone broke your window, he still can't open your car doors from pressing the unlock from the inside -- or the unlock button on the glove box either...

Comfort Access Malfunction
 

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.

Was there interior damage to the car after rain?
Seems like an electronic malfunction with rain/water!
This is a major security problem not to mention the damage that can happen. I am documenting this and taking it in every time it occurs... 3 times a lemon, and I will pursue a new car! I still am concerned about this initial damage though.
The dealer is holding the car till monday for further diagnostics.

dok

Many of you know that I often joke about the foibles of the E70 X5s. But this time I am deadly serious....

The reports of X5s 'spontaneously' opening all the windows and sun roof when parked in the rain have become numerous enough to discount simple 'operator error' as a probable cause. Most of the reports involve X5s with Comfort Access parked outside the owner's house, locked and in the rain. Something is triggering the auto open mechanism of these X5s. AFAIK this should not be possible without one of the comfort access keys being in radio contact with the X5. So....

If I had an X5 with Comfort Access I would seriously consider ALWAYS storing the keys in a container that would block the radio connection.

Funf Dreisig

Edit: Here is a link to another thread with more detials about this problem. Particularly how Comfort Access features (e.g. locking/unlocking) can be activated by water on the door handle.

Or you could line your garage with this:

http://www.ramayes.com/Data%20Files/...one%20page.pdf


Seriously, a nice Pewter or Aluminum container with a lid, to toss the key in overnight at home, might be good insurance, particularly when rain or snow is forecast...

I've had mine lock and un lock when washing my car. I've never had the windows go down or unlock the car. Maybe, you had one of the fobs in your pocket and pressed the buttons without knowing so. I keep my key away from the car when I wash it and don't have the problem when washing my car anymore...

Craig

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

With CA, you can only unlock the car by pressing on the door's handle, but continue pressing on it will NOT open the windows.

A common problem is when people lock the car, put the key in the pocket and walk away. While still close to the car, something in the pocket can press and hold the unlock button leading to unlocking the car and lowering the windows.

I never put the keys in my pocket until I am sufficiently far away... I had similar problems in the past with my others which did not even have CA feature - it was always accidental press on the buttons. Get yourself that BMW leather key holder, it will protect it from accidental presses !

http://www.bmw-online.com/ProductDetail.aspx?p=2345

Thanx for all the great replies! To reiterate my fobs were on the third floor on the table, about 400 to 500 feet away concrete house hurricane proof on the gulf of mexico, SW Florida. No buttons pressed.

what is my recourse with BMW and rain damage?

dok

Probably nothing. They will claim there is no malfunction. You will get back a work order with "no problem found".... document all you want, unless THEY document the same problem three times there is no lemon claim..

I suspect they will blame you .... tell you they can maybe dry it, or you can file with homeowners/insurance...

Good luck. Something is rotten in Denmark, er, Munich.

A

Ironically, pressing and then continuing to press on the bumpy part of the door handle will lock the X5 and then CLOSE all the the windows and sun roof (called Comfort Closing). I guess the question is whether this works correctly all the time on all X5s. Or is every case reported really a key fob operator mistake. :dunno:

FWIW those of us without comfort access can close all our windows and doors too. But here in the US we have to use the little physical key in the electronic key fob. IOW BMW wants us to be in physical contact with the X5 to avoid liability for anyone who might get hurt by a closing window etc.

Funf Dreisig

I just confirmed that splashing water on the door handle does open the locks if the remote is close by. :yikes: So in a severe downpour, you could unwittingly unlock the car. Also the car really hated it when I tried to wash it with the keys on me (yes. That was my first time!). Kept locking and unlocking and making that beep sound:stickpoke I gave it a good hose down around the door handle but it did not try to open the windows.

These cars have so much electronics you don't know what to expect. I would not discount the possibility of lighting induced electrical surges causing weird behavior including opening the locks and perhaps windows etc.. I would imagine the great minds at BMW would have safeguards against such things. If indeed lightening did cause windows to roll down, it might even be able to start the car and perhaps even put it in gear and drive away. Imagine the picture of zombie X5s after a storm :dunno::popcorn:

I don't.:cool:

Funny you mention this, apparently in Europe you can open and close all windows from key fob, but I guess it was too risky for US market. I did a European Delivery on my 330i and the person presenting the car to me was so confused that windows would not close when holding down the lock button on the fob. He though there was something wrong with the car, so he called over his boss who confirmed that for US market cars this was disabled.

I have had the lock/unlock issue when washing the X, as well, the other day with the X parked safely in the garage, I came out to find all windows down (but sunroof closed).

This is definitely a serious matter.

:wow:Well, well ,well there definitely is something funny here! Sorry I have not been diligent in updating everyone I was on a missionary trip in Haiti just after this happened!
Just before I left I went to the dealer who stated that they found no malfunction and this had to be an operator mistake. So we are "out of good will" going to replace the carpet, some electronics on center console, anthracite liner, and THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WITH SENSORS!
One heck of a NON malfunction fix! Perhaps I may have been remiss in telling everyone earlier I bought 2 (two) X5 35d exactly the same to the tee color and all. The one in question since we picked it up always took 2-3 times to start with push button. The day before the incident the car phone speaker with a friend talking on it was interjected simultaneously with multiple radio stations blaring.
I have talked to customer relations and requested a buyback on the 16 day old vehicle. The first response was NO! Further up the line with corporate who was not aware of all that they were fixing and that a loaner car has been refused to me even to this day are looking further into the fiasco. Interestingly when I was talking to corporate she was confirming that I had already been offered $3000.00 on top of everything... This was the first I had heard this and it added more suspicion to the situation.
I have to say I love the other X5 we have and have already looked at audi, MB blutech, MDX! Oddly I have been so upset about this when I see a BMW commercial I feel sick! We will see what happens:popcorn:

dok

Dok - please keep us posted. I come from owing Audi's, and this is my first BMW, ironically I stopped being an Audi customer due to rotten service at the dealership and through Audi Corporate. I seriously hope that I haven't stepped out of the pot and into the fire!

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!

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,

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

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."

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!

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.

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.

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

Unfortunately, it's impossible that BMW would have engineered the X5 to be immune to all types of electronic interference and hence the FCC warning/disclaimer on each and every electronic device one purchases, notifying purchasers that their products are subject to interference from outside sources. We've all read them, and they're printed on most devices large enough to carry such labels.

There are devices that are immune from such interference called "hardened" circuits, or known by other monikers, but they're reserved for military use, VIP use, or for equipment that "CAN'T FAIL," such as certain aspects of the Internet and Banking System's Computers, etc. Though no such technology is included on any vehicle delivered from any mainstream automobile company in the World (that I'm aware of).

Consumer electronics, BMW Automobiles, being included into that category are subject to interference from just about everything. The question is, was the car exposed to something out of the ordinary?

It's entirely possible, and there's absolutely NO way that BMW has "hardened" the electronics of the X5 to be immune from electrical or electromagnetic interference. The vast majority of commercial airplanes and a good percentage of military airplanes are not even hardened, hence the "turn your cell phone and electronic devices off."

This is a very real possibility, for better or worse, and is a growing and known problem as technology continues to enter into our daily lives in more pervasive manners.

Even those with biomedical devices such as pacemakers, some artificial limbs, and neurostimulators (pain management devices), are prone to such interference, which can wreak havoc with the manner by which electronic devices function. Stray radio waves, high energy electromagnetic fields, and even heightened solar activity can, and has been, responsible for everything from opening car doors, and garage doors for that matter, to sending entire electrical grids off-line on a multi-regional scale. A BMW is, unfortunately, no more protected from that type of interference than the laptop I'm typing on, despite having an electronic parking brake.

The above is quite factual gentleman, hence be aware, that such a scenario is not outside the realm of a rational explanation to anyone educated in the topics discussed above.

Being radiation hardened avoids single event upsets from things like gamma rays in outer space. Random EMI from the systems you describe has virtually zero possibility of completing a code and sequence required to initiate a function on your car. Picking up noise on the radio in your civic from your iphone is a different thing altogether.

dok, don't settle for excuses from BMW. Get it fixed.