[Billfitz]

Ever taken the battery out of your phone? Did you have to re-program it?

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Either he's an idiot or he thinks that you are. BTW:

Yep. Just replace the pretty inexpensive battery and move on.

[Hinweis]

At the "99 cents" store in the USA you can buy three of the CR2032 Lithium batteries (as used in my 2012 X1 fob) for 99 cents. One is all you need. It's very simple to replace, as others have described above, or as shown in a number of YouTube videos. The information that's missing on this website is printed on the OEM package for the battery: "Change battery within one minute, without pressing any buttons, to avoid having to initialize the key". In other words, don't get interrupted when you are changing the battery! Finish the job within 60 seconds or else the internal settings in the fob will be lost and you'll have to get it re-initialized.

[BM 3 series Conv 2009 320]

Originally Posted by DC F15

I was told by the bmw technician guy that gave me the car tutorial that the battery in the fob is a rechargeable battery that needs to be in the car and in use for it to charge. He made no mention about the battery being replaceable. If in fact he was right about the whole rechargeable battery thing then that's gonna be one expensive battery to replace. So was that just a fancy story he made up to make it sound high tech? He did say tho that if the battery dies....u can hold up the fob to some area on the steering column which I assumes communicates via NFC or something in order to activate the push button ignition.

I had a nearly flat battery once, I had to hold it up to the steering wheel to start engine couple days and then the battery seemed to be fine again for 1-2 starts, and then it needed to be in contact with steering wheel again. And so it seems it does charge (somehow!!). And so I was able to change the battery conveniently (many months later )). Here is a video on how to start the car with a flat battery and also how to change the battery in the key fob:

[BM 3 series Conv 2009 320]

Originally Posted by Trcb777

The next time your at the grocery store or home depot, while checking out grab the battery you need. Done

How to change battery in the key fob and start engine with flat battery:

[eddymerckx3]

Originally Posted by ft1330

• Is there some kind of warning on the dashboard when the key fob battery is low?

Yes, when you start your car, the "low battery" indicator/warning will appear on your dash if the battery in your FOB is low.

[p30amg08]

so if my battery in one of my fobs is already dead, I have to have it reprogrammed?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by p30amg08

so if my battery in one of my fobs is already dead, I have to have it reprogrammed?

Where are you getting that from?

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by BM 3 series Conv 2009 320

I had a nearly flat battery once, I had to hold it up to the steering wheel to start engine couple days and then the battery seemed to be fine again for 1-2 starts, and then it needed to be in contact with steering wheel again. And so it seems it does charge (somehow!!). And so I was able to change the battery conveniently (many months later )). Here is a video on how to start the car with a flat battery and also how to change the battery in the key fob:

The fob is not rechargeable. You can't charge a non-rechargeable battery.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by p30amg08

so if my battery in one of my fobs is already dead, I have to have it reprogrammed?

No--my wife's fob battery was dead as a doornail. Holding it next to the steering wheel did not start the car.

Changed battery, worked fine. No programming.

[p30amg08]

Originally Posted by tex2670

No--my wife's fob battery was dead as a doornail. Holding it next to the steering wheel did not start the car.

Changed battery, worked fine. No programming.

thank you sir

[Roup1]

Just as a point of reference, my fob just started acting up today when using Comfort Access. My car is 5.5 years old (12/13 build). I replaced the batteries in both fobs and they're both good to go again. It was super easy to do compared to older BMW keys.

Both my old batteries measured at 3.05V. The new Energizer batteries that I bought were both 3.25V.

Good to know that they last 5+ years even with Comfort Access!

[Mr Podman]

I replaced them at year 4. I'm going to replace them again at year 8.




podman

[AndDown]

My service tech replaced mine at the second yearly service at no charge, included in the 4 yr/50K mile warranty.