Comfort Access Battery

[SimonB]

Hi guys, the last couple of days I've noticed a symbol come up on the dash that seems to indicate that the battery in the key fob is in need of attention. I have Comfort Access, so I don't believe the battery is rechargeable via sticking it in dash as it is for normal key.

Was about to ask whether anyone knew the answer and decided to RTFM instead. Novel, I know...

Couldn't be bothered going out to car, so Google to the rescue:

http://www.autousermanual.com/view/b...owners-manual/

...although it was for the 2010 model, this showed me the relevant instructions. For your edumecation, here's the process in pics:

Press the button shown at the bottom in this pic and remove the backup BMW door key:



You will now see a little slot at the top middle of the opened part of the fob (as shown here):



Insert a knife or a key and twist gently, the cover will come off and the battery will pop out:



The battery (slightly out of focus, sorry), it's a CR2032 available from all good supermarkets or most deli's:



Hope this helps someone out.

Cheers!

[Zuzu]

That's bizarre mate.( timing that is ).My car is a May 08', and I only just changed this battery last week also, after I noticed the battery symbol on the dash during start up..

[amk2912]

Tell you what's more bizarre......the dealer once quoted $16 for a replacement CR2032 battery. You can get them anywhere and a lithium one (Energizer) won't set you back more than $5.

[SimonB]

Mine's approx the same age, Zuzu :-)

Yeah, amk2912, I hadn't even considered going to the dealer. My local deli sell 'em, so won't be an issue there!

[Dackelone]

SO... the key fobs are different for CA cars and non CA cars?

non CA cars have a rechargeable batery, while CA have get this CR2032 battery?


I thought the battery everyone with CA were replacing was in the CA credit card like pass. ???

[SimonB]

Dackelone, I guess so. Note that this is Australian vehicles specific, but I expect they're the same world wide.

I don't know what the 'CA credit like pass' is that you're referring to though.

[Lester]

You can get CR2032`s on Ebay for about $1 a dozen.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by SimonB

Dackelone, I guess so. Note that this is Australian vehicles specific, but I expect they're the same world wide.

I don't know what the 'CA credit like pass' is that you're referring to though.

Maybe I am just confused. I do not have CA on my car.

When you have CA do you only get a key fob? I thought it might be like MercedesBenz or Renault - where you get a credit card thng-y that you just carry on you. Touch the car and go. Nothing to insert.

Maybe BMW just uses a different key fob - coded for CA? And those will not charge in the fob slot - correct? That is why you replaced your battery. Right?

[Lester]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Maybe I am just confused. I do not have CA on my car.

When you have CA do you only get a key fob? I thought it might be like MercedesBenz or Renault - where you get a credit card thng-y that you just carry on you. Touch the car and go. Nothing to insert.

Maybe BMW just uses a different key fob - coded for CA? And those will not charge in the fob slot - correct? That is why you replaced your battery. Right?

The key fobs look the same, but in the non CA - the battery is rechargeable - each time you inset the fob into the slot it is recharged. In the CA fob, the battery is not rechargeable, you replace it when it wears out, with a CR2032.

This makes some sense as the CA ownders will not normally be inserting the fob into the receptacle, so it won`t get regularly recharged.

[Dackelone]

Thanks Lester.

[135inc]

I Think that CA is likely to be better in the long run. W/O CA the battery is not replacable, and when it finally gives out, you have to buy a new Fob, I think.

Cheper to buy a battery every 2-3 or so years.