Comfort Access issues...RANT

xbook · 07-24-2009, 04:35 PM

I have had an ongoing problem with my comfort access system. The system itself barely works. A conservative estimate is that my system fails about 50% of the time now. Unlocking or locking the car is intermittent, as well as using the starter button. Often when I get into my 1er and hit the starter button, the iDrive gives me an error that says the I have an error in the system and I also get an error on the multifunction display between the gauges. It's a little key with a line thru it. This error also gets triggered when the passenger shuts their door, and also when I switch the car off.

The vehicle has now been to 2 different dealerships to have this problem rectified. The total number of repair attempts is now 7. The last repair performed was a compete replacement of the CA computer. That was back at the end of May. BMW has been dragging their feet ever since, saying that emails are going back and forth between the engineering dept. in New Jersey, my dealership, and the local field engineer. Does it really take them 2 months to come up with a possible fix for this problem?

Basically the reason I am writing this is to vent my frustrations. I am debating hiring an attorney to start a lemon law case against BMW. But, I don't want to have to hassle going to court and all that entails.

Anyone have any good jokes to take my mind off of this, or any advice to share?

Here is a pic of my error I keep getting:

turbobmw · 07-24-2009, 05:06 PM

Have you tried replacing the battery in the comfort access Key FOB ?
It is a CR2032.

oneintheory · 07-24-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbobmw

Have you tried replacing the battery in the comfort access Key FOB ?
It is a CR2032.

Yeah, cause there's no way they tried something that simple.

xbook · 07-24-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbobmw

Have you tried replacing the battery in the comfort access Key FOB ?
It is a CR2032.

Yes, that was my first try. Went to Radio Shack, put in my batteries. It still didn't help. So I Went to the dealer, told them I had just put in fresh batteries, but my CA system was acting up. They keep the car for 3 days. They call me to tell me they found no issues, so they just replaced the batteries instead.

2 more service trips to them resulted in the same thing, they only replaced the batteries. Although the 2nd one also had the Service Manager try to show me the proper usage of the door handles, "Sir, you place your hand on the door handle... blah blah blah"

The service department at Center BMW in Sherman Oaks isn't what I would consider good. Especially for a $40k vehicle.

x97Melbourne · 07-26-2009, 08:14 PM

i am not too pleased with my C.A. either. a big waste of money. i bought it to UP/DOWN the top remotely...but you literally have to be within 3 feet of the car for it to work...if it works at all.
i am proabably not having as big of an issue as you are, but I totally agree....CA sucks and isn't worth the money.

HondaGoneRogue · 07-26-2009, 08:24 PM

You guys say its a waste but I tell you, I would give anything to go back and get that feature. I almost everyday find myslef fumbling for my keys in my coat\pants\hoodie pockets. And coming out from a store with bags in both hands. My friend has CA in his 335i and I am so jealous. I hope you guys get your issues resolved. As far as range goes, I believe it was said that it was designed to be short range so that someone cant just drive off with your car while your in line paying for gas or something. I saw an episode of top gear where they stole one of the hosts challengers and parked it in the middle of the street while he was in a diner having breakfast lol.

warmtoes · 07-27-2009, 09:18 AM

Occasionally I have an issue but for the most part it does work. I was also disappointed with it's range when operating the top up/down feature but it's still worth it to me. So much so that when we purchased a new vehicle for my wife recently I had to get a trim level that had the CA option for her vehicle choice.

ronnyek · 07-27-2009, 10:12 AM

My ca stuff has been frustrating too... a lot of hanging around trying to lock the doors with the handle (unlocking seems just fine). Occasionally seen the no key thing on the dash...

I've had drivers door handle replaced once... while its a total pita, do I think I'd even attempt to lemon law the car over it? No. Find a better dealership. When I was in the bay area, east bay was terrible... basically a giant run around for every last little thing. More work in giving me the run around than if they were to just fucking fix the car.

Move back home, to a smaller town, and the dealership took care of the issues immediately.

xbook · 07-27-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnyek

My ca stuff has been frustrating too... a lot of hanging around trying to lock the doors with the handle (unlocking seems just fine). Occasionally seen the no key thing on the dash...

I've had drivers door handle replaced once... while its a total pita, do I think I'd even attempt to lemon law the car over it? No. Find a better dealership. When I was in the bay area, east bay was terrible... basically a giant run around for every last little thing. More work in giving me the run around than if they were to just fucking fix the car.

Move back home, to a smaller town, and the dealership took care of the issues immediately.

Would be so kind as to let me know what the name of your dealer was? It might be helpful if my dealer or the field rep. would contact them to see what the fix to get your car's CA system up and running as it was intended.

Thank you

-Jason

MadMan77 · 07-27-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbook

Would be so kind as to let me know what the name of your dealer was? It might be helpful if my dealer or the field rep. would contact them to see what the fix to get your car's CA system up and running as it was intended.

Thank you

-Jason

+1 on that. I am sure a lot of us are having a problem or two with the CA system. At times the car does not see the key in my pocket so I have to pull a Captain Morgan pose and then it works most of the time.

Lester · 07-28-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

i am not too pleased with my C.A. either. a big waste of money. i bought it to UP/DOWN the top remotely...but you literally have to be within 3 feet of the car for it to work...if it works at all.
i am proabably not having as big of an issue as you are, but I totally agree....CA sucks and isn't worth the money.

I read once on this forum that if you place the fob against your head, it increases the range. This does work with the non CA fob, and gives an extra 20 - 30 feet. (Yes, I did test this).

I'm not sure what it does for the brain, though.

MadMan77 · 07-28-2009, 02:38 PM

Yeah, it uses your body as basically and antenna. This do not work for CA though.

xbook · 08-06-2009, 07:46 PM

My 1er is going back to Century West BMW for the 8th time, to have this problem taken care of. Finally got an appointment with a Field Engineer. So, now it's up to those folks to find the problem, fix it, and make my car owrk the way it was supposed to when I bought it. If not, I guess I'll need the name & number of a Lemon Law atty. here in SoCal.

Sweet1 · 08-17-2009, 09:11 PM

For one I don't have I drive so I'm not sure if that has anything to do w/it but mine works fine within a couple of feet. What I have noticed is it has a more difficult time 'identifying' me when its warm. We've been averaging 90+ degrees lately & when I touch the handle it seems to take longer. Perhaps due to body temperature vs local temp? Just a thought.

MadMan77 · 08-18-2009, 05:41 AM

I have noticed that as well down here in Georgia with the temperatures being up in the 90s. I have also noticed that sometimes when I touch the handle you can hear it trying to lock the door again instead of unlock it. It take my pulling the handle and then touching the pad again to get it to unlock. Of course I can never reproduce this situation when I am at the dealer. Sucks!

xbook · 08-18-2009, 08:34 AM

UPDATE:

Took my 1er in yesterday for it's 8th service visit to Century West BMW in Universal City, CA (fancy way of saying North Hollywood). They replaced all 3 of the internal CA antennas. So hopefully this is THE fix. At this point they have replaced the CA computer as well as the CA antennas. Also when I spoke to the BMW NA customer service rep, he said that this was an engineering fix, recommended by the engineering dept. and the field regional field engineer. Maybe they did find that something in my car wasn't up to spec? Not really sure.

In the end, it has been around 8 visits to various dealers to get this problem rectified. BMW NA acknowledged this, and wanted to make sure I stay a happy BMW customer. To that end, I was told yesterday that BMW will be cutting me a check equal to 1 month's payment on my 1er, as a way of saying sorry about the hassle and thanks for your patience. Wow, way to go BMW. I would never had asked for some $$ in a million years, I just wanted my car fixed. Bonus for me huh?

BlackjackMulligan · 08-18-2009, 08:57 AM

congrats! I hope this is the solution for you.

Purgatory · 08-18-2009, 09:44 AM

I have been following this thread for a while, just to see how your story was going. I'm glad to hear that it is working out.

Also, I just took a look at your garage... Are you holding an Emmy in that picture!!! What was it for!?!?

xbook · 08-19-2009, 08:52 AM

Hey yo ... update ...

Car gave me the I have no key error again last night. So it seems that the 3 new antennas didn't help one bit. ARGH

Back to square one.

Note to anyone who will be ordering a 1er. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON COMFORT ACCESS. I will be posting that line into every thread where someone is asking about opinions on what options to order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purgatory

I have been following this thread for a while, just to see how your story was going. I'm glad to hear that it is working out.

Also, I just took a look at your garage... Are you holding an Emmy in that picture!!! What was it for!?!?

Hey thanks for noticing. I won that Emmy for mixing a documentary about Tony Bennet. It is called "Tony Bennet: The Music Never Ends". It was produced by Clint Eastwood, and was put together by his crew that makes his movies. The show was really incredible, man that guy can sing. Plus he is a very interesting person. One of the highlights for me, was when Clint & Tony came to the Scoring @ Warner Brothers. We wanted to record them hanging out, chit chatting around a piano. So for about 2 hours I sat in a little booth off to the side, and listened to 2 wildly successful men talk about what makes their lives so successful. Sometimes people say that they wish they could be a fly on the wall when 2 people are talking about something. Well, that was me

Here's another pic with the boss (wish someone told me which camera was firing

)

ronnyek · 08-19-2009, 08:58 AM

When my comfort access is working.. It's nice. I've never had the no key problem but constantly getting the problem where it's real real slow to lock from door handle.

MrHick · 08-19-2009, 11:05 AM

I had the same problem after installing the TINT
Went back to the tint shop and they had to put different tint that will allow signal to come trough and no more problems.

zivilyn861 · 08-19-2009, 11:13 AM

The only issue I've had with CA is the trunk not opening when the car is locked. Aside from that, everything has been working perfectly. Sorry to hear that you've had so many problems... I'd definitely be furious.

07-24-2009, 04:35 PM	#1
xbook Lieutenant Colonel 131 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: '14 EBII M235i & '06 R53 GP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northridge, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MINI Cooper S GP [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] 2008 E82 [0.00]	Comfort Access issues...RANT I have had an ongoing problem with my comfort access system. The system itself barely works. A conservative estimate is that my system fails about 50% of the time now. Unlocking or locking the car is intermittent, as well as using the starter button. Often when I get into my 1er and hit the starter button, the iDrive gives me an error that says the I have an error in the system and I also get an error on the multifunction display between the gauges. It's a little key with a line thru it. This error also gets triggered when the passenger shuts their door, and also when I switch the car off. The vehicle has now been to 2 different dealerships to have this problem rectified. The total number of repair attempts is now 7. The last repair performed was a compete replacement of the CA computer. That was back at the end of May. BMW has been dragging their feet ever since, saying that emails are going back and forth between the engineering dept. in New Jersey, my dealership, and the local field engineer. Does it really take them 2 months to come up with a possible fix for this problem? Basically the reason I am writing this is to vent my frustrations. I am debating hiring an attorney to start a lemon law case against BMW. But, I don't want to have to hassle going to court and all that entails. Anyone have any good jokes to take my mind off of this, or any advice to share? Here is a pic of my error I keep getting: __________________
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07-24-2009, 05:06 PM	#2
turbobmw Private 0 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA iTrader: (1)	Have you tried replacing the battery in the comfort access Key FOB ? It is a CR2032.
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07-26-2009, 08:14 PM	#5
x97Melbourne Molar World 47 Rep 916 Posts Drives: 2016 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	i am not too pleased with my C.A. either. a big waste of money. i bought it to UP/DOWN the top remotely...but you literally have to be within 3 feet of the car for it to work...if it works at all. i am proabably not having as big of an issue as you are, but I totally agree....CA sucks and isn't worth the money. __________________ Current: 2016 435i Coupe Previous: 2014 335i Sedan; 2013 328i Cv, 2011 335i Sedan Gone But Not Forgotten: 2008 135i Convertible (my favorite)
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07-26-2009, 08:24 PM	#6
HondaGoneRogue They like my Swag... 433 Rep 3,762 Posts Drives: 15 GSM 435i GC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Dakota iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 435i Gran Coupe [0.00]	You guys say its a waste but I tell you, I would give anything to go back and get that feature. I almost everyday find myslef fumbling for my keys in my coat\pants\hoodie pockets. And coming out from a store with bags in both hands. My friend has CA in his 335i and I am so jealous. I hope you guys get your issues resolved. As far as range goes, I believe it was said that it was designed to be short range so that someone cant just drive off with your car while your in line paying for gas or something. I saw an episode of top gear where they stole one of the hosts challengers and parked it in the middle of the street while he was in a diner having breakfast lol. __________________ 2015 435i Gran Coupe - Current 2008 AW 135i - Sold
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07-27-2009, 09:18 AM	#7
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	Occasionally I have an issue but for the most part it does work. I was also disappointed with it's range when operating the top up/down feature but it's still worth it to me. So much so that when we purchased a new vehicle for my wife recently I had to get a trim level that had the CA option for her vehicle choice. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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07-27-2009, 10:12 AM	#8
ronnyek Captain 24 Rep 682 Posts Drives: 2010 Evo MR Touring Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: space iTrader: (1)	My ca stuff has been frustrating too... a lot of hanging around trying to lock the doors with the handle (unlocking seems just fine). Occasionally seen the no key thing on the dash... I've had drivers door handle replaced once... while its a total pita, do I think I'd even attempt to lemon law the car over it? No. Find a better dealership. When I was in the bay area, east bay was terrible... basically a giant run around for every last little thing. More work in giving me the run around than if they were to just fucking fix the car. Move back home, to a smaller town, and the dealership took care of the issues immediately.
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07-28-2009, 02:38 PM	#12
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	Yeah, it uses your body as basically and antenna. This do not work for CA though. __________________
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08-06-2009, 07:46 PM	#13
xbook Lieutenant Colonel 131 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: '14 EBII M235i & '06 R53 GP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northridge, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MINI Cooper S GP [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] 2008 E82 [0.00]	My 1er is going back to Century West BMW for the 8th time, to have this problem taken care of. Finally got an appointment with a Field Engineer. So, now it's up to those folks to find the problem, fix it, and make my car owrk the way it was supposed to when I bought it. If not, I guess I'll need the name & number of a Lemon Law atty. here in SoCal. __________________
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08-17-2009, 09:11 PM	#14
Sweet1 Lady who LOVES HP! 0 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PDX, OR iTrader: (0)	For one I don't have I drive so I'm not sure if that has anything to do w/it but mine works fine within a couple of feet. What I have noticed is it has a more difficult time 'identifying' me when its warm. We've been averaging 90+ degrees lately & when I touch the handle it seems to take longer. Perhaps due to body temperature vs local temp? Just a thought. __________________
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08-18-2009, 05:41 AM	#15
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	I have noticed that as well down here in Georgia with the temperatures being up in the 90s. I have also noticed that sometimes when I touch the handle you can hear it trying to lock the door again instead of unlock it. It take my pulling the handle and then touching the pad again to get it to unlock. Of course I can never reproduce this situation when I am at the dealer. Sucks! __________________
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08-18-2009, 08:34 AM	#16
xbook Lieutenant Colonel 131 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: '14 EBII M235i & '06 R53 GP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northridge, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MINI Cooper S GP [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] 2008 E82 [0.00]	UPDATE: Took my 1er in yesterday for it's 8th service visit to Century West BMW in Universal City, CA (fancy way of saying North Hollywood). They replaced all 3 of the internal CA antennas. So hopefully this is THE fix. At this point they have replaced the CA computer as well as the CA antennas. Also when I spoke to the BMW NA customer service rep, he said that this was an engineering fix, recommended by the engineering dept. and the field regional field engineer. Maybe they did find that something in my car wasn't up to spec? Not really sure. In the end, it has been around 8 visits to various dealers to get this problem rectified. BMW NA acknowledged this, and wanted to make sure I stay a happy BMW customer. To that end, I was told yesterday that BMW will be cutting me a check equal to 1 month's payment on my 1er, as a way of saying sorry about the hassle and thanks for your patience. Wow, way to go BMW. I would never had asked for some $$ in a million years, I just wanted my car fixed. Bonus for me huh? __________________
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08-18-2009, 08:57 AM	#17
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 69 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston 'burbs iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roa ... [0.00]	congrats! I hope this is the solution for you. __________________ I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far. - Joe Walsh
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08-18-2009, 09:44 AM	#18
Purgatory Private First Class 5 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 xDrive 5.0 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I have been following this thread for a while, just to see how your story was going. I'm glad to hear that it is working out. Also, I just took a look at your garage... Are you holding an Emmy in that picture!!! What was it for!?!?
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08-19-2009, 08:58 AM	#20
ronnyek Captain 24 Rep 682 Posts Drives: 2010 Evo MR Touring Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: space iTrader: (1)	When my comfort access is working.. It's nice. I've never had the no key problem but constantly getting the problem where it's real real slow to lock from door handle.
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08-19-2009, 11:05 AM	#21
MrHick 135i 8 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem after installing the TINT Went back to the tint shop and they had to put different tint that will allow signal to come trough and no more problems.
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08-19-2009, 11:13 AM	#22
zivilyn861 *void 4 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	The only issue I've had with CA is the trunk not opening when the car is locked. Aside from that, everything has been working perfectly. Sorry to hear that you've had so many problems... I'd definitely be furious.
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