2016 X5- Spare key not working

[ixlr8]

I tried to verify our spare key fob for our '16 X5 was still working after sitting a drawer for 3 years, it was not. Its battery voltage was down to 2.4v so I replaced it. New battery measured 3.2 volts, spare key still does not work. By not work I mean I can't lock or unlock the car using either CA or buttons on the fob. Daily use key works fine. Do I need to re-sync the fob with the car, or something else to get it to work again? I found nothing in the manual that would help.

Thanks

[Qsilver7]

Does the remote that was in the drawer still start the vehicle? If yes, then make sure the battery is making good contact (reinstall it…or swap the battery from the working remote).

If it doesn’t start the vehicle…then follow the instructions from the owners manual…place the remote next to the little icon on the right side of the steering column.

[ixlr8]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Does the remote that was in the drawer still start the vehicle? If yes, then make sure the battery is making good contact (reinstall it…or swap the battery from the working remote).

If it doesn’t start the vehicle…then follow the instructions from the owners manual…place the remote next to the little icon on the right side of the steering column.

Drawer remote will not allow car to start unless it is held next to the icon on the side of the steering column.

Battery in drawer remote is a new lithium that measures 3.2 volts. I wiped off the battery and cleaned the contacts on the remote. Still a no go.

Jim

[ajob]

Originally Posted by ixlr8

Drawer remote will not allow car to start unless it is held next to the icon on the side of the steering column.

Battery in drawer remote is a new lithium that measures 3.2 volts. I wiped off the battery and cleaned the contacts on the remote. Still a no go.

Jim

So now you know the key still has valid credentials but they don't get transmitted.

Suggest you bring the key to a BMW SA, they have a desktop unit where they "read" the key, maybe they can tell how to fix it.

[ixlr8]

Originally Posted by ajob

So now you know the key still has valid credentials but they don't get transmitted.

Suggest you bring the key to a BMW SA, they have a desktop unit where they "read" the key, maybe they can tell how to fix it.

Yea, I was hoping to avoid a 3 hr drive to the nearest dealership.

[ixlr8]

Progress. I have 3 new batteries for the fob, all of them read over 3.2volts, none of them work in the drawer fob. The battery in the working fob reads 3.0volts. I swapped batteries between the drawer fob and the working fob, and now the drawer fob works! I have no idea why none of the 3 new batteries work in either fob. The only working battery is the original one that came with the car when I bought it Nov 2015. The working battery is a Panasonic and the "-" terminal is slightly different in shape than the others. It has a ridge around the outside edge, the others, 2 Duracell 1 Energizer, are flat. I'm off to find a Panasonic battery.

[CanadianLurker]

Originally Posted by ixlr8

Progress. I have 3 new batteries for the fob, all of them read over 3.2volts, none of them work in the drawer fob. The battery in the working fob reads 3.0volts. I swapped batteries between the drawer fob and the working fob, and now the drawer fob works! I have no idea why none of the 3 new batteries work in either fob. The only working battery is the original one that came with the car when I bought it Nov 2015. The working battery is a Panasonic and the "-" terminal is slightly different in shape than the others. It has a ridge around the outside edge, the others, 2 Duracell 1 Energizer, are flat. I'm off to find a Panasonic battery.

You sure you got a 2032 and not a 2030 in error? They're identical at a glance but 2030 is thinner. Sometimes, they can be interchangeable but sometimes the thinner 2030 won't make proper contact.

Don't ask how I know…:

[ajob]

Originally Posted by ixlr8

Progress. I have 3 new batteries for the fob, all of them read over 3.2volts, none of them work in the drawer fob. The battery in the working fob reads 3.0volts. I swapped batteries between the drawer fob and the working fob, and now the drawer fob works! I have no idea why none of the 3 new batteries work in either fob. The only working battery is the original one that came with the car when I bought it Nov 2015. The working battery is a Panasonic and the "-" terminal is slightly different in shape than the others. It has a ridge around the outside edge, the others, 2 Duracell 1 Energizer, are flat. I'm off to find a Panasonic battery.

You just don't give up...

[P1]

I actually appreciate you starting this thread as my second fob is experiencing the exact same issue you are. Drawer fob either drains new battery very quickly, or doesn't work at all.

So if I am reading everything correctly, they are very sensitive to a particular battery?

[ixlr8]

I couldn't find a Panasonic battery. I could only find another Duracell battery. The new Duracell battery had a different "-" contact than the first one I had. Annndddd it worked!!! Now both fobs are working correctly.
Based on my limited experience, it does look like the fobs are sensitive to battery manufactures. For the life of me I can't figure out why.
I am also curious why the fob that I have used daily since I bought the car Nov 2015 the battery voltage was only down to 3.0 volts. But the fob that sat in the drawer, unused in 3 years, and rarely used before that, was down to 2.5 volts. New batteries read 3.2 volts.

[Qsilver7]

Just a tip: I change fobs at every DST (daylight saving time) change over. That way each remote wears equally and it gives me an idea of each remote battery’s health.

If that’s too often for anyone…a specific day could be adopted for fob switch-over like a birthday, holiday, or anniversary etc.

[RED_Y_]

One little thing which gave me similar issue was the clear plastic sticker on the battery, tried few different batteries before I realized there is a sticker there.

[ixlr8]

I have read about others finding a clear plastic stickers on their batteries. I measured each battery before trying it and moved my lead around the face to make sure there was good contact everywhere.
The last set of batteries I bought for the fob were labeled that they has some nasty tasting stuff put on them to discourage kids from putting them in their mouth. First time I had seen something like that. I hope whatever it is doesn't cause an issue down the road with the fob.

[Ascotgrun]

I used Energizer brand in both my fobs without any issues. Well one FOB will occasionally cause the "no key found" message or whatever that is but it still works?.

When I bought the car the dealer only had one original key but got a second made by a locksmith. I suspect it's that locksmith key that gives the message but to be honest I am not sure which key is the copy.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by ixlr8

I couldn't find a Panasonic battery. I could only find another Duracell battery. The new Duracell battery had a different "-" contact than the first one I had. Annndddd it worked!!! Now both fobs are working correctly.
Based on my limited experience, it does look like the fobs are sensitive to battery manufactures. For the life of me I can't figure out why.
I am also curious why the fob that I have used daily since I bought the car Nov 2015 the battery voltage was only down to 3.0 volts. But the fob that sat in the drawer, unused in 3 years, and rarely used before that, was down to 2.5 volts. New batteries read 3.2 volts.

If your spare battery was in a drawer or located near others electronic devices, or was situated such that something could have been pressing on a button, that could explain the storage drain.

[doberman68]

I had a similar issue as mentioned above using different brands of battery for my key fob. I went on Amazon and bought the 4 pack of Panasonic and my fob now works again . It does seem to make better contact than the other brands I tried . Hope this helps .

[P1]

Originally Posted by doberman68

I had a similar issue as mentioned above using different brands of battery for my key fob. I went on Amazon and bought the 4 pack of Panasonic and my fob now works again . It does seem to make better contact than the other brands I tried . Hope this helps .

Panasonic it is, thank you!

[NCvidPro]

Many thanks for posting this topic and threads! You've confirmed my frustration and revealed the 7% Solution!!!
Same experience with my 2 fobs (1 works other didn't). Both batteries tested the same power level. And yes, swapping the batteries the 2nd fob worked... any yet same battery make and lot (off brand).
Then installed a new battery from the same off brand and lot, it worked....
I did take your advice in ordering the Panasonic for extra measure.

All the best,
Sam