Comfort Access Problem...

One35iMT · 10-23-2013, 01:45 PM

Here is my story,
My Comfort Access doesn't work when key fob is in the pocket, but it works fine when it's out of it.
I took it to the dealer since i purchased the "extended warranty".
They just simply replaced my key battery and quote that "It's Working Fine" but BS that. It never get fixed and they charged me $10 for battery replaced.
Next day i went to dealer again, now they told me it's the vehicle's battery that caused the problem and quote me $455 to replace the battery. I told them to I'll not replace the battery because i never had any issue with battery not even a low battery indicator displayed. They said they to charged me $150 for diagnostic fee.

Why didn't they told me in a first place that it was the vehicle's battery problem? I'm fear that what if i replace the vehicle's battery and it doesn't solve the problem again, then they will point out the different problem.

Does any one has the same CA issue? how do you solve the problem? other than replace the battery.

pj.rodriguez · 10-23-2013, 01:50 PM

Sometimes when the keys are in your pocket next to a cellphone or some electronic device, the CA will be funky. This happens to me sometimes. Also, what are the issues that you have. Is it when you open the door? Open the trunk? Lock the doors?

CAVU · 10-23-2013, 05:21 PM

My last three non-BMW cars all had 'comfort access' functionality, and all of them worked 400% better than my 135is, which is amazingly finicky when locking the car or releasing the trunk lid. Opening the car is OK. Not sure why it is so bad. I occasionally get the "no key detected" message in the car… it happened again today as a matter of fact.

b1aze · 10-23-2013, 05:25 PM

Do some testing for me.

Does it do the same thing on both doors and the trunk?

Does it repeatably not unlock the car if it's in your pocket?

These will help diagnose if its a handle, module or key problem.

owen2001 · 10-23-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikMsport

My last three non-BMW cars all had 'comfort access' functionality, and all of them worked 400% better than my 135is, which is amazingly finicky when locking the car or releasing the trunk lid. Opening the car is OK. Not sure why it is so bad. I occasionally get the "no key detected" message in the car… it happened again today as a matter of fact.

That's bizarre. I have the IS and haven't had a single issue w/ my key or the comfort access functionality. Not sure why yours isn't working correctly. Hope you get it figured out.

gregthegr8 · 10-23-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owen2001

That's bizarre. I have the IS and haven't had a single issue w/ my key or the comfort access functionality. Not sure why yours isn't working correctly. Hope you get it figured out.

I've had the no key detected twice now when literally the key is 6 inches from the steering wheel and no phone or anything in sight. It's a really weird and temperamental system. But not a big deal, I am able to push buttons when it doesn't feel like working. The no key detected when trying to turn the car on though is a very disconcerting feeling.

One35iMT · 10-23-2013, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1aze

Do some testing for me.

Does it do the same thing on both doors and the trunk?

Does it repeatably not unlock the car if it's in your pocket?

These will help diagnose if its a handle, module or key problem.

it seems it happens more in drivers side 95% fail
trunk and passenger side 70% fail
It never works when its in my pocket.

One35iMT · 10-23-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

Sometimes when the keys are in your pocket next to a cellphone or some electronic device, the CA will be funky. This happens to me sometimes. Also, what are the issues that you have. Is it when you open the door? Open the trunk? Lock the doors?

when key fob is in pocket, every functions are not working open lock trunk even turn on the engine

i only put my key fob in my pocket

PopsnBurbles · 10-23-2013, 10:18 PM

I've never had any issues with my CA except for not opening the trunk properly. Even without using the CA, opening the trunk is already an issue for me. So, I'm not completely blaming the CA for that. Well, who am I to judge? I'm barely hitting 2k mi.

135ivert · 10-23-2013, 10:34 PM

Doors - never a problem. Starting - only once or twice - maybe I feel like it is a fob battery issue. It is a daily driver, and I replaced the battery with some $0.30 cheapo chinese special. I took the fob out of my pocket and it started immediately. Trunk - 50/50. If I take the fob out of my pocket it's 100%. Not reliable data, I know, but food for thought.

e36addict · 10-24-2013, 08:21 AM

I find that actually using my key is very easy..lol.. But really, the cars battery has nothing to do with CA functionality. Sounds more like you have an issue with the reciever antenna located near the 3rd brake light. Very common issues with all CA equipped cars.

Walter K · 10-24-2013, 06:02 PM

My CA just started acting up this week. Thought is was the battery until I went to the passenger side also the trunk and it worked. Went back to the driver side and no good. Repeated this process once more just for consistency and still didn't work. I can still lock and unlock the doors with the key fob but it sucks after getting used to the feature. Hope it's not a sign of things to come.

CAVU · 10-24-2013, 08:44 PM

Good news is that the touchscreen-compatible gloves I bought seem to work well with my CA. Or said another way, my CA isn't acting up any more often when I use the gloves...

Walter K · 10-24-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikMsport

Good news is that the touchscreen-compatible gloves I bought seem to work well with my CA. Or said another way, my CA isn't acting up any more often when I use the gloves...

So you have to look cool to open your car? Nice

One35iMT · 10-25-2013, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e36addict

I find that actually using my key is very easy..lol.. But really, the cars battery has nothing to do with CA functionality. Sounds more like you have an issue with the reciever antenna located near the 3rd brake light. Very common issues with all CA equipped cars.

Dealer quote me that everything is working fine, but battery.
That's why i spend $150 diagnostic fee for nothing!

I hope they replace the antenna...

Walter K · 10-25-2013, 04:19 AM

I found this on an e90 forum. This is the service report of an actual fix for the comfort access issue.

dtwyim · 10-25-2013, 07:59 PM

FWIW, I have 2008 with CA, never had any issues. Replaced the battery in the key fob once so far.

Hopefully I did not just jinx myself.

CAVU · 10-25-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter K

So you have to look cool to open your car? Nice

What does wearing gloves when it's freezing outside have to do with looking cool?

CAVU · 10-25-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter K

I found this on an e90 forum. This is the service report of an actual fix for the comfort access issue.

Thanks for this info… it may come in handy if/when I bring up the issue with the service department.

lastMleft · 10-25-2013, 11:11 PM

Recently had similar issues with my fob, I had my car in for the battery cable recall and I had the dealership check my fob they found my fob to be faulty, so I had to buy a new one

Walter K · 10-26-2013, 07:02 AM

Three potential solutions, very nice. Module by A pillar, receiver by 3rd brake light and faulty fob.

I think mine may be the module by a pillar cause on one side it works and not the other. I don't even hear the mechanical sound when I hold my hand next to the driver side door to open or close.

Kracken · 10-26-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yongsange

Here is my story,
My Comfort Access doesn't work when key fob is in the pocket, but it works fine when it's out of it.
I took it to the dealer since i purchased the "extended warranty".
They just simply replaced my key battery and quote that "It's Working Fine" but BS that. It never get fixed and they charged me $10 for battery replaced.
Next day i went to dealer again, now they told me it's the vehicle's battery that caused the problem and quote me $455 to replace the battery. I told them to I'll not replace the battery because i never had any issue with battery not even a low battery indicator displayed. They said they to charged me $150 for diagnostic fee.

Why didn't they told me in a first place that it was the vehicle's battery problem? I'm fear that what if i replace the vehicle's battery and it doesn't solve the problem again, then they will point out the different problem.

Does any one has the same CA issue? how do you solve the problem? other than replace the battery.

Im in the same boat with my CA- it's intermittent.
My factory warranty expires in a year and so far they (BMW) have just changed key fob batteries with no real improvements. I have a year to bug em about it and get it fixed.
Sometimes car wont even start with key in pocket and all doors and trunk are the same. I already have a new battery I had to pay for so they cant blame that.
They mentioned my window tint may have to blame but it was intermittent before the tint went on.
I can already see them trying to wiggle out of fixin it before warranty expires...
good luck with your saga

10-23-2013, 01:45 PM	#1
One35iMT Enlisted Member 5 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2009 135i M Package 6M/T Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	Comfort Access Problem... Here is my story, My Comfort Access doesn't work when key fob is in the pocket, but it works fine when it's out of it. I took it to the dealer since i purchased the "extended warranty". They just simply replaced my key battery and quote that "It's Working Fine" but BS that. It never get fixed and they charged me $10 for battery replaced. Next day i went to dealer again, now they told me it's the vehicle's battery that caused the problem and quote me $455 to replace the battery. I told them to I'll not replace the battery because i never had any issue with battery not even a low battery indicator displayed. They said they to charged me $150 for diagnostic fee. Why didn't they told me in a first place that it was the vehicle's battery problem? I'm fear that what if i replace the vehicle's battery and it doesn't solve the problem again, then they will point out the different problem. Does any one has the same CA issue? how do you solve the problem? other than replace the battery.
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10-23-2013, 01:50 PM	#2
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	Sometimes when the keys are in your pocket next to a cellphone or some electronic device, the CA will be funky. This happens to me sometimes. Also, what are the issues that you have. Is it when you open the door? Open the trunk? Lock the doors?
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10-23-2013, 05:21 PM	#3
CAVU Captain 151 Rep 929 Posts Drives: '16 F87 M2 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	My last three non-BMW cars all had 'comfort access' functionality, and all of them worked 400% better than my 135is, which is amazingly finicky when locking the car or releasing the trunk lid. Opening the car is OK. Not sure why it is so bad. I occasionally get the "no key detected" message in the car… it happened again today as a matter of fact. __________________ *F87 '16 M2 ...* Mineral Grey, 6MT, Exec, MPE Gone: E82 '13 135is 475/586 ... Mineral Grey / Oyster, DCT, Premium, Tech, HK, Michelin PSS, BMW Performance Suspension
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10-23-2013, 05:25 PM	#4
b1aze Just one more taste... 566 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 2013 128i 6MT MSport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Uxbridge MA iTrader: (18)	Do some testing for me. Does it do the same thing on both doors and the trunk? Does it repeatably not unlock the car if it's in your pocket? These will help diagnose if its a handle, module or key problem. __________________ My Build Thread: Jet Black 6MT 128i with MSport
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10-23-2013, 10:18 PM	#9
PopsnBurbles Captain 192 Rep 893 Posts Drives: 135is :) 192/586 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW 135is Coup ... [10.00]	I've never had any issues with my CA except for not opening the trunk properly. Even without using the CA, opening the trunk is already an issue for me. So, I'm not completely blaming the CA for that. Well, who am I to judge? I'm barely hitting 2k mi.
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10-23-2013, 10:34 PM	#10
135ivert Lieutenant 64 Rep 521 Posts Drives: E88 135i,E70 X5M,E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (1)	Doors - never a problem. Starting - only once or twice - maybe I feel like it is a fob battery issue. It is a daily driver, and I replaced the battery with some $0.30 cheapo chinese special. I took the fob out of my pocket and it started immediately. Trunk - 50/50. If I take the fob out of my pocket it's 100%. Not reliable data, I know, but food for thought.
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10-24-2013, 08:21 AM	#11
e36addict Captain 137 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 35iX Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tim @ BMW of Dallas iTrader: (5)	I find that actually using my key is very easy..lol.. But really, the cars battery has nothing to do with CA functionality. Sounds more like you have an issue with the reciever antenna located near the 3rd brake light. Very common issues with all CA equipped cars. __________________ 13 X1 35iX, 98 Z3 2.8, 01 M Coupe, 96 Z3 1.9 DASC, 95 318ti, 13 smart fortwo
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10-24-2013, 06:02 PM	#12
Walter K Private First Class 23 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 128i (white) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	My CA just started acting up this week. Thought is was the battery until I went to the passenger side also the trunk and it worked. Went back to the driver side and no good. Repeated this process once more just for consistency and still didn't work. I can still lock and unlock the doors with the key fob but it sucks after getting used to the feature. Hope it's not a sign of things to come.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2013, 08:44 PM	#13
CAVU Captain 151 Rep 929 Posts Drives: '16 F87 M2 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Good news is that the touchscreen-compatible gloves I bought seem to work well with my CA. Or said another way, my CA isn't acting up any more often when I use the gloves... __________________ *F87 '16 M2 ...* Mineral Grey, 6MT, Exec, MPE Gone: E82 '13 135is 475/586 ... Mineral Grey / Oyster, DCT, Premium, Tech, HK, Michelin PSS, BMW Performance Suspension
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10-25-2013, 04:19 AM	#16
Walter K Private First Class 23 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 128i (white) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	I found this on an e90 forum. This is the service report of an actual fix for the comfort access issue. Attached Images
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10-25-2013, 07:59 PM	#17
dtwyim Captain 52 Rep 874 Posts Drives: BMW no more Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	FWIW, I have 2008 with CA, never had any issues. Replaced the battery in the key fob once so far. Hopefully I did not just jinx myself.
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10-25-2013, 11:11 PM	#20
lastMleft Major 30 Rep 1,364 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	Recently had similar issues with my fob, I had my car in for the battery cable recall and I had the dealership check my fob they found my fob to be faulty, so I had to buy a new one
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10-26-2013, 07:02 AM	#21
Walter K Private First Class 23 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 128i (white) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	Three potential solutions, very nice. Module by A pillar, receiver by 3rd brake light and faulty fob. I think mine may be the module by a pillar cause on one side it works and not the other. I don't even hear the mechanical sound when I hold my hand next to the driver side door to open or close.
	Appreciate 0 Quote