Will My Key Fob Charge While in Storage?

[Cemoto]

Hello all -

2010 135i

I have the non-replaceable battery type of fob which charges "when the car is running". One of them died, my spare opened the door. If I leave the fob plugged in and the car hooked up to a trickle charger - will it charge? Or does the car need to be running to charge?

The car is in secure storage and un-used in the winter so I'm not worried about theft at all.

Thank you very much!

Happy New Year!

Regards,

.

[oneBIGtoe]

Never heard of this before..

[Cemoto]

There are two types of remotes. One has a replaceable battery the other does not. I've shown the back side of my fob so you can see it does not have the seam where the battery door comes off.
Here are photos of a manual which describes both types of fobs.

My type says it recharges "while driving" - I'm wondering if I leave the key in the dash when stored if it will charge.

Does anyone know?

Thank you!

.

[Cemoto]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1118270

[YearOneOne]

This is an interesting thread but I don't think it would without the car in acc. Just an opinion no facts

[Olgeezer1]

A call to the dealer would let you know. Don't think your idea would work but don't know that for a fact. So far mine has always worked coming out of storage and I rotate them daily when the car's in use. My understanding is when they quit working you need to buy a new one from the dealer and that won't be cheap. So far, so good on my 2010.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Olgeezer1

A call to the dealer would let you know. Don't think your idea would work but don't know that for a fact. So far mine has always worked coming out of storage and I rotate them daily when the car's in use. My understanding is when they quit working you need to buy a new one from the dealer and that won't be cheap. So far, so good on my 2010.

I rotate mine as well. Hopefully keeps them both fresh and charged.

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I rotate mine as well. Hopefully keeps them both fresh and charged.

I rotate mine weekly. I drive very little and I've not had one go dead in the three years I've owned this car... but that being said, I sure would feel more comfortable if the thing had a damn battery.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I rotate mine weekly. I drive very little and I've not had one go dead in the three years I've owned this car... but that being said, I sure would feel more comfortable if the thing had a damn battery.

That's how often I rotate mine. Have had the 2 key fobs since Oct 2010 and they're both still running strong. I attribute that to rotating them, but maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. Like you, I'd also also prefer a battery... much cheaper than buying a new key fob when one of them decides to crap out on me.

[oneBIGtoe]

Never knew this, but no troubles either. Going to try my other remote which I have never used

[Gangplank]

I rotate monthly or every other. No problems in about a year of doing this.that said I've had one stored for a couple months w/ this move to FL. I'll have to dig it out and give it a charge.

[Gangplank]

I believe it needs to be running. BTW if you have the key and just need to order the FOB that's a bit less expensive I believe.

[Gangplank]

I was able to locate the spare that hadn't been used in two months or so. Worked fine & the car had been sitting for 3 weeks. Started up click vroom

[Tommm]

I wouldn't worry, and I have a fact to back up my conclusion.

Two weeks ago I purchased an extremely clean 87,117 mile 2000 323Ci 5sp for my daughter from the original owner. I got the Monroney, almost every service record (all from BMW dealers), manuals, VHS, brochure, and four keys. Three of the keys were never used. They were in the envelope he put them in 18 years ago.

He warned me that the key may need a charge. Last night I opened the envelope, walked to the garage with my wife so I had a witness, and pushed the unlock button. The key worked!

If my key can unlock doors after 18 years, I think you are safe for a few months. Of course, I don't know if BMW changed the batter design, so YBMV!

Here is the link to the post with pictures of the new addition so I don't get

Originally Posted by Tommm

I decided to keep the one for myself and I bought my spoiled child a one owner 2000 323Ci manual with 87,000 miles. We picked it up last weekend and drove it 975 miles home without a hiccup. I forgot how nice an E46 is. The non sport seats are more comfortable than I remember my sport seats to be.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1439663

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Tommm

I wouldn't worry, and I have a fact to back up my conclusion.

Two weeks ago I purchased an extremely clean 87,117 mile 2000 323Ci 5sp for my daughter from the original owner. I got the Monroney, almost every service record (all from BMW dealers), manuals, VHS, brochure, and four keys. Three of the keys were never used. They were in the envelope he put them in 18 years ago.

He warned me that the key may need a charge. Last night I opened the envelope, walked to the garage with my wife so I had a witness, and pushed the unlock button. The key worked!

If my key can unlock doors after 18 years, I think you are safe for a few months. Of course, I don't know if BMW changed the batter design, so YBMV!

Here is the link to the post with pictures of the new addition so I don't get

Think you forgot the link. lol

[Tommm]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Think you forgot the link. lol

Sumbich worked when I previewed the post. The blue arrow by my name took me to the original post in the thread.

Thanks for the heads up. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1439663 post 13 in the tread

[Gangplank]

Looks clean. Should be a good car for a newbie driver.

[Cemoto]

Thank you all for the replies. The barn where the car is stored is unheated and I'm now keeping the key fobs in the main house where they will stay warm.

Hopefully come spring she will fire up. someone told me the dealer has a charger that recharges key fobs. Not sure that is true but if you think about it, that is probably a possibility.

Regards,

.

[mr.fabulous]

I'm not sure there's much consequence to your fob running down to zero. Your key will open the door and I don't believe the fob needs juice to start the car (that is RFID and that won't disappear if the battery dies... right?).

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I'm not sure there's much consequence to your fob running down to zero. Your key will open the door and I don't believe the fob needs juice to start the car (that is RFID and that won't disappear if the battery dies... right?).

That is true of most cars. Should be true of these.