BMW e60 key locking distance

rizzee · 14-10-2015 6:38pm #1

Hi I got a e60 last week and it came with2 remote locking keys.

I've tried them both and they're working fine, my only issue is the range is poor on them, I have to be basically standing right beside the car and aiming the key right at it for them to work. Is this the same with all or is it just me? Maybe the battery is low on it but what are the chances of it being low on both keys?

Any idea what this is or if there's a way to improve?

Thanks

dr.fuzzenstein · 14-10-2015 6:47pm

If you hold the key to your head, you will get a better range. No really.
But new battery would be the first thing to try.

HardenendMan · 14-10-2015 6:48pm

The battery in the key is actually rechargeable. It recharges when in the ignition. I have a 10 year old key working fine. I haven't tested it to find the limit but always works within 10 metres, so yours isn't normal.

Is it poor with all 3 buttons or just one?

Foxhole Norman · 14-10-2015 6:48pm

Batteries could be dying or they might need to be resynced to the car, loads of videos on YouTube about resyncing them.

HardenendMan · 14-10-2015 6:49pm

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

If you hold the key to your head, you will get a better range. No really.
But new battery would be the first thing to try.

There's a better way. Hold the key high in the air above your head with both hands and spell out BO BO loudly.

rizzee · 14-10-2015 7:35pm

Haha the human antenna!!

Yeah all 3 buttons are the same story, have to practically wave it near the steering wheel.

bmstuff · 14-10-2015 7:44pm

Not a sync issue, car would not start at all otherwise.

Common issue is a lose connection on the antenna amplifier, besides the 3rd brake light in the headliner, on the driver side. Pull the headliner down a bit with your fingers and check if the amplifier is sitting tight on the clips in there and that the connectors are not corroded next to the window.
Could be the amplifier itself too.

TBi · 14-10-2015 7:46pm

Something wrong with your diversity antenna. There are some diy guides online about how to fix it.

Just Google "e60 diversity antenna". Hopefully just a contact issue as it uses spring loaded contacts to touch the main antenna.

Do you have saloon or estate?

rizzee · 14-10-2015 8:26pm

Thanks, I will change battery first just to be sure but I'll research the diversity antenna too.

It's a 06 523i saloon

Gumbo · 14-10-2015 11:31pm

There's 2 things that go wrong with the E60 keys.

1. The battery in the key fob die (unusual for both to be dead at the same time).
2. The key fob antenna is faulty. Hence the 2 keys have to be pretty close for them to work.

Before buying new keys, I'd get the antenna checked as officially there's no way to replace the battery in the keys, is. BMW don't offer this, but they can be changed by a good locksmith.

rizzee · 15-10-2015 1:23am

I checked a few YouTube videos and I'm fairly certain mines the one you can't replace the battery on.

YbFocus · 15-10-2015 7:40am

rizzee wrote: »

I checked a few YouTube videos and I'm fairly certain mines the one you can't replace the battery on.

You still can though, i did.
I'll find out the battery type.

You just need to be able to solder

unkel · 15-10-2015 10:25am

My E60 is just over 12 years old and 1 key is still perfect, the battery in the other works intermittently. That's far better than you could possibly expect from any battery life! Range is good on both, at least 20-30m

The one thing that might revive it is a long, long drive (which is the best chance of giving the battery a good charge)

YbFocus wrote: »

You still can though, i did.
I'll find out the battery type.

You just need to be able to solder

Fair play to ya! I looked into doing this, but decided against it

YbFocus · 15-10-2015 11:49am

unkel wrote: »

Fair play to ya! I looked into doing this, but decided against it

Used a dremel to split it and it's so quick then.

Hardest bit is realigning it all to look factory!

rizzee · 15-10-2015 1:19pm

Could be better off buying the housing for a new one online, opening it up and replacing the battery whilst changing the bits inside over

rizzee · 29-10-2015 10:45pm

Just going to bump this thread up lads.

So just to clarify - there's 2 types of e60 keys - 1 that you can replace the battery and one that is rechargeable. Am I right in saying that?

It's annoying the hell out of me, even a few times I'd take the key out and manually lock it. Need it get it sorted asap

YbFocus · 29-10-2015 10:48pm

But even the rechargeable one can be opened and the battery replaced rizee. New key is €160 from BMW.

rizzee · 29-10-2015 11:20pm

YbFocus wrote: »

But even the rechargeable one can be opened and the battery replaced rizee. New key is €160 from BMW.

Would you have a link to show me how? I've looked around and keeps bringing me to the wrong keytype!

YbFocus · 29-10-2015 11:32pm

It's easy enough rizzee, i found it hard to get info too at the time.

Cut the key carefully in half with a craft knife being careful to just cut deep enough to pop it open. Too deep and you'll hit the electronics.

Find the CR battery and heat the solder, as far as i remember it will come out once one wire is off.

Replace the battery and solder points and reseal the key with glue.

If you cut it well at the beginning it will go back 99% perfectly.

The batteries are available on ebay for a few quid

vectra · 30-10-2015 12:20am

My son had that issue with his 2006 E60.
Have you noticed the engine turning over not as good as it did?
This was the issue my son had, it got progressively worse until one day the battery in the car died. Fitted as new battery in the car and presto. Key fobs worked form a good distance again.

rizzee · 30-10-2015 4:08pm

Thanks lads!

I'm at this stage : (picture attached)

Will hopefully get a battery tomorrow

smash · 30-10-2015 4:14pm

I have an E63 and have unlocked my car from 40-50 metres no problem.

rizzee · 30-10-2015 4:58pm

While I have the key open and waiting too replace the battery, im using the spare key (looks like brand new) for now.

Distance still isn't great however the buttons work first try 90% of the time.

I don't know whether it's because the spare key hasn't been used therefor not fully charged, or that there is a fault something to do with the signal transmitter.

YbFocus · 30-10-2015 5:38pm

Did you not check the amplifier earlier in the thread man?
Was sure you did!

rizzee · 02-11-2015 5:00pm

Nope!

Anyway I've been using the spare key since the weekend and it's perfect (comes up warning low battery on key but I'm sure that'll go with a good drive)

I'll get the battery changed on the other (have to remove the other one as its soldered in) and see how it is then

BMW e60 key locking distance

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