Key battery?

[Dittoz]

Posted this in the mechanical forum too, but no responses...
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Bought a used '03 325Ci a couple years back.

A few months ago the first of the two keys quit responding when using the unlock/lock/etc buttons. It was used regularly so it had the chance to recharge - just quit taking the charge.

Now, my wife's key is holding the charge for a very short time before one has to get literally 2 feet from the car to get it to respond. I'm guessing her battery is also starting to die.

Before I address this at the dealership, is the battery replaceable in those keys? Do you need a whole new key? Are they going to ding me $250 each...? Geez, I hope not!

[robmpulse]

I believe you can replace them, but they are not plug and play. I am pretty sure you would either need to solder the new batteries in place. I htink i saw a diy somewhere..... Search.... It's your friend

;)


or buy them at the dealer.....

[ffuDJ]

I tried doing the replace it yourself battery trick and I ended up destroying the chip that the battery is attached to. Maybe I am just ham fisted and you can get it to work out for you. This would be your best solution because the batteries are $4 each as opposed to the $175 each the dealer charged me, and I was told that was the "good guy" cost.

[samger2]

on the oval style keys with the roundel in the middle the battery is NOT replaceable...unless of course you attempt the round-about method that potentially destroys your key.

[bigdog68]

Its not worth the hassle to try and replace your key batt because more keys are destroyed then not. I had this happen to me with 51K on my E46, my dealership, Fields BMW in Winter Park, Fl, hooked me up with a new key under good-will warranty. My family has been buying cars there and from the same salesman for 20 years now so I am sure that helps too. See what your dealer will do for you, car dealerships are sucking up to everyone right now, maybe drop it to the salesmen you are starting to look for a new car, never hurts to have them thinking about the next big sale.

[OnTheFence]

IF your key dies, can you just use the mechanical key to open/close the doors, or will the car not start? My spare key is dead, and I don't feel safe only having 1 live key.

[timsev]

IF your key dies, can you just use the mechanical key to open/close the doors, or will the car not start? My spare key is dead, and I don't feel safe only having 1 live key.

seriously? a bump from 2008? put the keyboard down