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BMW Key Battery Dead

  • 02-02-2014 9:34am
    #1
    A Law
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭


    I have a '00 e46 coupe who's key battery has almost totally given up. I tried the DIY YouTube job and got as far as getting the battery off but my solderer isn't up to the job to reattach the new one.

    I'm looking for someone with experience in electonics who would finish it off. I'm living in Swords but anywhere in Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Laois area would work.
    Thanks in advance lads,
    Joe


Comments

  • #2
    pa990
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,883 ✭✭✭pa990


    if you have an electric toothbrush, try leaving the key on the toothbrush stand, that might charge it.


  • #3
    YbFocus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,480 ✭✭✭YbFocus


    Hey man only recently had this problem myself. Tried the opening the key trick but it didn't work for me.

    Any auto electrician or alternator repair place should do it :)

    €165 euro from the dealers in Rathangan for a new one wasnt overly bad. Ordered Saturday and had it Monday!

    This was for an e60 so maybe yours may be a little cheaper or more expensive.


  • #4
    A Law
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭A Law


    Any auto electricians on here fancy the job? I've found lads to fix cameras alloys and leather seats on here so surely an auto electrician! I'll be getting a new one if they're only €165 so no pressure!!


  • #5
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,730 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    I did this last year and got to the same point as you. I'm not too bad with soldering, but just couldn't get it it bond properly. In the end and as a temp fix I put the battery in and just left it pressed against each side of the connections. Because the joints were bent, the pressure of the case kept them in contact and I put a small tie-rap around the end where you hang your keys and two small pieces of tape at the end before the keyblade.

    It worked perfectly so I left it for a few weeks and once I was sure it ok, I glued the case fully back together, but left the tie-rap in place as a drop on the floor could open the case I would think. It must be nearly a year now and it has continued to work fine, without being actually soldered.


  • #6
    A Law
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭A Law


    So I ended up following what delly said and it worked to a certain extent. The key will still start the car after the battery was changed but the remote locking still is not working.

    I was sure it had to be the battery as the locking went intermittently at first and then stopped altogether. So if any one has any suggestions as to where to next I'd be grateful.

    To add, the problems started a few weeks after I put in a new car battery. Its much stronger than the car needs but I got it very cheap. Dont know if this will make any difference, I'm just trying to think of anything.


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  • #7
    A Law
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭A Law


    I just tried reinitializing the key and discovered the central locking button doesn't work on the centre console either. Small noise but no action.


  • #8
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,730 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    If the centre console button doesn't work, then I'd guess the battery could have been ok, but also possible that there is two separate issues. Although I haven't had an issue with it myself, do a google for GM5 + E46. It could be that the control module itself is the problem.

    Also a thread here recently on the issue.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057145433


  • #9
    A Law
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭A Law


    Looks like you could be right that its multiple problems delly. I contacted Colin from gm5bmw who seems to be the guy to contact with these problems. He was 100% sure it was the door actuator. However would this explain the key remote failing to work altogether?

    The passenger door worked intermittently for 4 years. In france it worked properly and then totally stopped when I came home. So then when I pressed the button on the remote only the driver's door pin popped up and the passenger stayed down. It had to be opened from inside then.

    Cut to three weeks ago when the remote started working intermittently. I had to press it a few times and eventually the drivers door or boot would open. Eventually it stopped working so I figured the battery. Replacement from eBay made no difference.

    Then I discovered the central locking button inside didn't work, small noise every second click though. It's not the gm5 cause the doors never stick shut and the fuel cap locking pin always opens and closes.

    So basically I'm looking for a specialist BMW Indy and maybe a place to get two actuators? But will this solve my remote problem or just the central locking button problem?

    Any advice or suggestions would be more than gratefully accepted.


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