Key will start car but not unclock.

[Ufamizm]

So I have seen a bunch of threads about this and I’ve tried (almost) everything. A couple of things worth noting before diving in:

I have the CA key with no CA option, and there’s no light on the dash saying the key is dead. I also checked all the codes to make sure it wasn’t hidden or anything.

There’s one major key difference with my situation compared to the other threads I’ve seen with this issue. My key worked intermittently before shitting the bed. It seems to work from either spamming the buttons or smacking it around a bit (not sure which was actually working) I digress. Here are the things I’ve tried:

Drove the car for quite a bit trying to get a charge
Checked the fuses for the diversity antenna
Soldered a new battery in the key
Charged the new battery in the car

Nothings working so I’m taking to the forums.

I feel like it wouldn’t be the actual antenna because the key would work if I spammed it or smacked it around. Trying to avoid the dealer so any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[tracer bullet]

I'm not familiar w/ our keys or systems, but still have a thought LOL.

Unlocking the car would be from a button push. Starting the car could be something like an RFID sense. So, while that could be working (RFID, for starting the car), as for the unlocking issue it could be an actual button that is dead?

Buttons are sometimes just flexible rubber with a conductive coating that touches a circuit board underneath. Sometimes that stuff simply wears off. Or a trace dies.

[Esteban]

Noticed it says you drive a Pearl White 135i. Never saw that color on a 1er before.

My wife drives a Pearl White 370Z. Pretty color.

Good luck with your CA problem.

[dtla1]

OP, I probably won't be able to help, but at least I can try to help to get some useful information out there:

Can you clarify... You say you have CA key, but no CA option, how do you know?

From reading your post, It seems you have a non CA key. Only CA keys have replaceable batteries, so you saying you had to solder a new one in indicates its a non CA key...?

Do you only have one key? or can you check the door unlock with another key?
Does the key work to do anything else? Can it lock the doors, or open the trunk? What about a double press unlock and hold on the second, does that open windows? Try the same thing with the lock button, does that close stuff?

Does anything else in your car not work? Interior lights, window switches, etc?

I'm trying to narrow down whether it's a key issue, that specific key, or maybe a fried FRM module?

[Esteban]

And tell us about that color. lol

[tracer bullet]

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1776858

You also posted this under the 1M section for wheels / tires / brakes / suspension?

Odd.

[Esteban]

Saw that the OP had his car wrapped in Pearl White. I think it looks really good.

Also, possibly he posted this in the 1M section by mistake, then posted it here?

[Ufamizm]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Saw that the OP had his car wrapped in Pearl White. I think it looks really good.

Also, possibly he posted this in the 1M section by mistake, then posted it here?

Yes its been a minute since ive been on the forum haha


For everyone asking about the pearl, It was wrapped but is no longer.



It never photographed well but looked amazing at night. This photo best shows how it looked IRL


ALSO. Yes my mistake on the key its not the CA key. I have the one without the door.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Ufamizm

ALSO. Yes my mistake on the key its not the CA key. I have the one without the door.

Cool, what about the other questions? Any more info you can provide?

[Ufamizm]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Cool, what about the other questions? Any more info you can provide?

Not sure what other information I can provide. I do not believe the key is dead as the car recognizes the key is in the ignition, and the car starts with no warning lights. Is the diversity antenna a common failure point?


EDIT: Trying the toothbrush charger as a last-ditch effort before buying a diversity antenna

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Ufamizm

Not sure what other information I can provide. I do not believe the key is dead as the car recognizes the key is in the ignition, and the car starts with no warning lights. Is the diversity antenna a common failure point?

I asked a whole bunch of questions in my first response to try to trouble shoot a bit:

Do you only have one key? or can you check the door unlock with another key?
Does the key work to do anything else? Can it lock the doors, or open the trunk? What about a double press unlock and hold on the second, does that open windows? Try the same thing with the lock button, does that close stuff?

Does anything else in your car not work? Interior lights, window switches, etc?

I'm trying to narrow down whether it's a key issue, that specific key, or maybe a fried FRM module?

[Ufamizm]

Originally Posted by dtla1

I asked a whole bunch of questions in my first response to try to trouble shoot a bit:

Do you only have one key? or can you check the door unlock with another key?
Does the key work to do anything else? Can it lock the doors, or open the trunk? What about a double press unlock and hold on the second, does that open windows? Try the same thing with the lock button, does that close stuff?

Does anything else in your car not work? Interior lights, window switches, etc?

I'm trying to narrow down whether it's a key issue, that specific key, or maybe a fried FRM module?

Gotcha.

I only have one key and the buttons don't trigger anything. Everything in the car works fine to my knowledge including the radio. I didn't look at every fuse but I looked at all the (5W?) fuses or whatever rating the fuse for the diversity antenna is.

Hopeful for the toothbrush solution, but not expecting it to work.

[Edrift]

Comfort access keys do not have rechargable batteries but have replacement 2032 cells (I have two of them and my car has CA).

You key starts the car because it doesn't require a working battery to disarm the immobilizer as it works off am RFID type of sensor (like a swipe pass).

I think your key fob is just toast. May have to form out for a new one if you're confident the battery is good