Comfort Access - different twist ?

[StuP]

In the last couple of weeks comfort access has started to misbehave on my 2013 128i.

Neither doors respond to either open or lock touches. If I use the fob buttons to lock / unlock, CA starts working again for a few minutes, then shuts off again.

Anyone else had the same symptoms ? Fob battery is new, same behavior with both fobs.

No immediately obvious faults reported through Carly, but I need to check a couple of non specific codes shown, that I cleared.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by StuP

In the last couple of weeks comfort access has started to misbehave on my 2013 128i.

Neither doors respond to either open or lock touches. If I use the fob buttons to lock / unlock, CA starts working again for a few minutes, then shuts off again.

Anyone else had the same symptoms ? Fob battery is new, same behavior with both fobs.

No immediately obvious faults reported through Carly, but I need to check a couple of non specific codes shown, that I cleared.

First thing I would do is check the condition of the Comfort Access module in your trunk. It's behind/below the liner on the passenger rear wheel well. It's very common for water to drip into there and fry the module. My car did a few weird things until the CA completely stopped working. Bought a new module off of eBay and all was good.

That's what it sounds like to me...but I'm sure it could be 1000 other things..

[StuP]

Originally Posted by asbrr

First thing I would do is check the condition of the Comfort Access module in your trunk. It's behind/below the liner on the passenger rear wheel well. It's very common for water to drip into there and fry the module. My car did a few weird things until the CA completely stopped working. Bought a new module off of eBay and all was good.

That's what it sounds like to me...but I'm sure it could be 1000 other things..

Thanks, I'll check it out. The cars not got wet for some time, but that doesn't mean much. I'll seek it out and see if there's anything obvious.

[BMWCCA1]

How old is your main (car) battery?

[StuP]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

How old is your main (car) battery?

Not entirely sure, not original. I've had the car since mid 2018, (51k on the odo currently). I'll see if I can find a date on it.

Interesting angle on the problem. The car sits a lot right now.

I have seen a low battery code thrown a few months ago, but it's not reporting that right now.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by StuP

I have seen a low battery code thrown a few months ago, but it's not reporting that right now.

Put it on a charger overnight. If the problem goes away, it's your battery. These cars don't like low voltage.

[StuP]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Put it on a charger overnight. If the problem goes away, it's your battery. These cars don't like low voltage.

Makes sense, I'll try that.

Checked a bit further, the car starts to sleep in just a few mins, (10 or so), at which point CA disables. Open the door to wake it and CA starts working again, so very likely voltage related ?

[StuP]

It seems it's a battery related problem. After charging CA works for much longer. The battery's settling at 12.38 after charging, which is getting marginal, so new battery soon.

[StuP]

New battery resolved the problem.

[BMWCCA1]

As it did for me, too. That's how I learned to make that suggestion to you. Glad it worked for you.
My original battery was over eight-years old!