Key Fobs Won't unlock car

ejm3 · 04-23-2018, 08:54 AM

A friend with a 2008 128i took the car out of storage.

But the key fobs won't unlock the doors.
She replaced the batteries in the fobs and that didn't resolve the problem.

Once the door is unlocked she can insert the key and the car runs fine.

Any ideas?

olds350 · 04-23-2018, 10:33 AM

That weird, won' unlock the car, but the car runs with the key. Looked for any blown fuses? I'd have to think on this one some more. Might be an issue with the locking system or possibly having to recode the keys.

Matticus91 · 04-23-2018, 10:54 AM

Definitely haven't seen this one before - was the battery on a tender and how long was it in storage?

DanZ3 · 04-23-2018, 01:06 PM

I just got mine out of storage and had the same issue. I changed the fob batteries and all is fine. Silly question, is the battery installed with + side up?

ejm3 · 04-23-2018, 01:18 PM

She did not keep the battery on a tender.
Her husband drove the car once a month or so over the winter just to run it.

I'll have her check the fob battery install and fuses.

I told her I think she's nuts and it must be something she's doing wrong ;-)

jamespaoli · 06-06-2018, 09:55 PM

Hey fellas,

I am struggling with this myself, same exact issue.
Key fob buttons dont unlock doors or trunk, however the lock button on center console works. Here is what i have done and still no luck, dealer thinks its the actuator but if it was wouldnt it be rare to be every actuator? why would it work from the center console lock?

Non CA so i soldered a battery into key fob
Purchased a new key Fob
Checked fuses
Replaced diversity amplifier

chris_flies · 06-06-2018, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamespaoli

Hey fellas,

I am struggling with this myself, same exact issue.
Key fob buttons dont unlock doors or trunk, however the lock button on center console works. Here is what i have done and still no luck, dealer thinks its the actuator but if it was wouldnt it be rare to be every actuator? why would it work from the center console lock?

Non CA so i soldered a battery into key fob
Purchased a new key Fob
Checked fuses
Replaced diversity amplifier

Maybe replacing the battery cleared the key's memory/coding...I'd highly doubt that, as the CA keys have replaceable batteries, and BMW wouldn't make them so fundamentally different from each other (they love cost-cutting!)

jamespaoli · 06-06-2018, 10:13 PM

Well check this out, so I had 2 OEM keys and 1 key new from dealer. Key Fob buttons never worked, so i replaced the battery in one of the key fobs, still didnt work. However all keys start the car i just use the valet key to open the door... Im going kinda crazy i may put my multimeter to each fuse just to see again... I did hours of researching and found the diversity antenna so i swapped it but didnt work.. was a PITA too

Gangplank · 06-07-2018, 05:46 AM

Did you pull the codes from the OBD? I'm thinking you might have a bad module but not sure which one runs the remote. If so it may throw a code.

jamespaoli · 06-07-2018, 09:05 PM

Ive never used the OBD connector before however the previous owner left one for me with an android hook up on it... Any free software i can run just to see what codes appear?

jamespaoli · 06-07-2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Did you pull the codes from the OBD? I'm thinking you might have a bad module but not sure which one runs the remote. If so it may throw a code.

Hey also.. anyway to determine what modules contribute to the remote key fob buttons?

Gangplank · 06-07-2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamespaoli

Ive never used the OBD connector before however the previous owner left one for me with an android hook up on it... Any free software i can run just to see what codes appear?

What kind is it?

I use the Carly app with their dongle but I have an iPhone so I'm not much help for Android.

Carly is good & easy to use + you can do some coding with it and it has a battery registration function if you ever need it (added fee I believe).

This thread might help re: the module.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1067276

jamespaoli · 06-08-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangplank

What kind is it?

I use the Carly app with their dongle but I have an iPhone so I'm not much help for Android.

Carly is good & easy to use + you can do some coding with it and it has a battery registration function if you ever need it (added fee I believe).

This thread might help re: the module.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1067276

Ill get the specs on it after work.. for my e82 2009 135i coupe i had a lead to replace the diversity antenna under the headliner.. which i did but no luck. Really dont know what contributes to the darn key fob. Is it free to use carly for testing? assuming i bought the obd adapter. also is carly app free? thanks

SamelCamel · 06-08-2018, 12:12 PM

You may want to make sure the battery is completely topped off as well. Keep in mind the car turns off features if it thinks the battery is low. I've noticed my electric trunk opener won't work if the car battery is low. Just a guess.

There is also that spot that you can place the keyfob up against the steering column. I'm not sure if there's a procedure for re-learning the fob or not.

-Sam

MightyMouseTech · 06-08-2018, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejm3

She did not keep the battery on a tender.
Her husband drove the car once a month or so over the winter just to run it.

I'll have her check the fob battery install and fuses.

I told her I think she's nuts and it must be something she's doing wrong ;-)

Worst thing you can do to a car in storage. Put it on a tender and leave it off.

Sounds like the battery is just really low on charge.

ejm3 · 06-11-2018, 03:08 PM

Just as a follow-up the dealer told my friend she needed new FOBs.
$$$'s but it worked.

jamespaoli · 06-17-2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejm3

Just as a follow-up the dealer told my friend she needed new FOBs.
$$$'s but it worked.

Thanks ej but I replaced it brand new fob from dealer.. still didn't work

Dackelone · 06-17-2018, 04:15 PM

I think I would try a "hard reset" of the car's battery. Leave it disconnected for 20 minutes. Be sure NOT to close the trunk!! IF that doesn't work... I think you will need a new key fob.

Dackel

SamelCamel · 06-18-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamespaoli

Thanks ej but I replaced it brand new fob from dealer.. still didn't work

I'm pretty sure you have to program the new keyfob. Did you do that?

-Sam

jamespaoli · 06-21-2018, 10:07 PM

Well it starts the car the dealer said it was good to go.. something extra to do?

Razorrx · 10-24-2019, 07:02 PM

BUMP

Did anyone find a solution?

I have a Non CA and I'm having the same issue where I can't unlock the doors or trunk with remote. However, I shorted something using test light just prior to this. Car starts up no problem and can use key manually to lock/ unlock.

I'm not sure what module or component deals with the remote? TIA.

WindUp · 02-04-2020, 06:10 PM

I have this same issue. Both fobs worked earlier today. Now neither of them work. I checked all the fuses. I do not have CA. Fob will not lock/unlock doors, will not open trunk. When I stick it in the ignition, the car starts and runs fine.

04-23-2018, 08:54 AM	#1
ejm3 Major 199 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: 2012 135 Convertible 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Key Fobs Won't unlock car A friend with a 2008 128i took the car out of storage. But the key fobs won't unlock the doors. She replaced the batteries in the fobs and that didn't resolve the problem. Once the door is unlocked she can insert the key and the car runs fine. Any ideas? __________________ 2012 135 Convertible 6MT 2017 Acura MDX
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04-23-2018, 10:33 AM	#2
olds350 Needs a long road trip... 347 Rep 527 Posts Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	That weird, won' unlock the car, but the car runs with the key. Looked for any blown fuses? I'd have to think on this one some more. Might be an issue with the locking system or possibly having to recode the keys.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-23-2018, 10:54 AM	#3
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Definitely haven't seen this one before - was the battery on a tender and how long was it in storage? __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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04-23-2018, 01:06 PM	#4
DanZ3 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2013 128I M Sport Convertible Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pittsburgh PA iTrader: (0)	I just got mine out of storage and had the same issue. I changed the fob batteries and all is fine. Silly question, is the battery installed with + side up?
	Appreciate 1 Dackelone10527.50 Quote

04-23-2018, 01:18 PM	#5
ejm3 Major 199 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: 2012 135 Convertible 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	She did not keep the battery on a tender. Her husband drove the car once a month or so over the winter just to run it. I'll have her check the fob battery install and fuses. I told her I think she's nuts and it must be something she's doing wrong ;-) __________________ 2012 135 Convertible 6MT 2017 Acura MDX
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2018, 09:55 PM	#6
jamespaoli Private 17 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2017 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Hey fellas, I am struggling with this myself, same exact issue. Key fob buttons dont unlock doors or trunk, however the lock button on center console works. Here is what i have done and still no luck, dealer thinks its the actuator but if it was wouldnt it be rare to be every actuator? why would it work from the center console lock? Non CA so i soldered a battery into key fob Purchased a new key Fob Checked fuses Replaced diversity amplifier
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2018, 10:13 PM	#8
jamespaoli Private 17 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2017 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Well check this out, so I had 2 OEM keys and 1 key new from dealer. Key Fob buttons never worked, so i replaced the battery in one of the key fobs, still didnt work. However all keys start the car i just use the valet key to open the door... Im going kinda crazy i may put my multimeter to each fuse just to see again... I did hours of researching and found the diversity antenna so i swapped it but didnt work.. was a PITA too
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2018, 05:46 AM	#9
Gangplank Brigadier General 1540 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	Did you pull the codes from the OBD? I'm thinking you might have a bad module but not sure which one runs the remote. If so it may throw a code. __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R
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06-07-2018, 09:05 PM	#10
jamespaoli Private 17 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2017 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Ive never used the OBD connector before however the previous owner left one for me with an android hook up on it... Any free software i can run just to see what codes appear?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2018, 12:12 PM	#14
SamelCamel Private First Class 93 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135is Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	You may want to make sure the battery is completely topped off as well. Keep in mind the car turns off features if it thinks the battery is low. I've noticed my electric trunk opener won't work if the car battery is low. Just a guess. There is also that spot that you can place the keyfob up against the steering column. I'm not sure if there's a procedure for re-learning the fob or not. -Sam
	Appreciate 1 Gangplank1539.50 Quote

06-11-2018, 03:08 PM	#16
ejm3 Major 199 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: 2012 135 Convertible 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Just as a follow-up the dealer told my friend she needed new FOBs. $$$'s but it worked. __________________ 2012 135 Convertible 6MT 2017 Acura MDX
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06-17-2018, 04:15 PM	#18
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	I think I would try a "hard reset" of the car's battery. Leave it disconnected for 20 minutes. Be sure NOT to close the trunk!! IF that doesn't work... I think you will need a new key fob. Dackel __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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06-21-2018, 10:07 PM	#20
jamespaoli Private 17 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2017 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Well it starts the car the dealer said it was good to go.. something extra to do?
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10-24-2019, 07:02 PM	#21
Razorrx Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2009 135i and 2008 535i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	BUMP Did anyone find a solution? I have a Non CA and I'm having the same issue where I can't unlock the doors or trunk with remote. However, I shorted something using test light just prior to this. Car starts up no problem and can use key manually to lock/ unlock. I'm not sure what module or component deals with the remote? TIA. Last edited by Razorrx; 10-24-2019 at 10:01 PM..
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02-04-2020, 06:10 PM	#22
WindUp Private 73 Rep 76 Posts Drives: BMW M235i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	I have this same issue. Both fobs worked earlier today. Now neither of them work. I checked all the fuses. I do not have CA. Fob will not lock/unlock doors, will not open trunk. When I stick it in the ignition, the car starts and runs fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote