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      01-18-2020, 09:11 AM   #1
Jthompson
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Key Not Recognized - Vehicle Won't Start

I have a 2019 X7. The key fob will lock and unlock the car by pressing the buttons but comfort access does not work. The key is also not recognized when I try to start the vehicle. I've tried both keys with the same result. When I hold the key to the steering column it doesn't pair. Does anyone have any other ideas?
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      01-18-2020, 02:05 PM   #2
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One of my 2 keys did the same thing. I changed the battery and it was working fine. Battery is CR2032.
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      01-18-2020, 05:53 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HC707 View Post
One of my 2 keys did the same thing. I changed the battery and it was working fine. Battery is CR2032.
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think that's it. I have a display key and charged it fully and the vehicle won't start with that. The vehicle also won't start when I try to precondition using the display key or the app. The car also won't start when I try using the NFC keycard.
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      01-18-2020, 06:17 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jthompson View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by HC707 View Post
One of my 2 keys did the same thing. I changed the battery and it was working fine. Battery is CR2032.
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think that's it. I have a display key and charged it fully and the vehicle won't start with that. The vehicle also won't start when I try to precondition using the display key or the app. The car also won't start when I try using the NFC keycard.
How did you get a display key?
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      01-18-2020, 08:08 PM   #5
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@Paultattoo, Jthompson's is a 2019 X7 so the display key was available. Discontinued for 2020.
Regarding mine, it was the regular keys that came with the car.
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      01-19-2020, 04:23 PM   #6
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You need to go into the car/settings menu and allow for preconditioning. It's in a weird place but it's something you need to turn on in I drive. Climate control- preconditioning/ ventilation remote engine start
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      01-19-2020, 05:18 PM   #7
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Yes, remote Start must be enabled/allowed from your car via iDrive. Next you can start the car by pressing lock button 3 times using regular FOB, or you can use your Display Key to start or you can use your BMW Connected Apps... Here is where the setting is located, there may be minor difference depending on software version..
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      01-19-2020, 06:43 PM   #8
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If you don't use the vehicle for few days and approach it with the keyfob, comfort mode will not work. You must open the vehicle via the keyfob or door handle. After starting it the next time you enter it will work as you would expect.

Is this what you experienced?
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      01-19-2020, 09:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jthompson View Post
I have a 2019 X7. The key fob will lock and unlock the car by pressing the buttons but comfort access does not work. The key is also not recognized when I try to start the vehicle. I've tried both keys with the same result. When I hold the key to the steering column it doesn't pair. Does anyone have any other ideas?
I have the same problem in the last two weeks. Not only isn’t the car recognizing me as I walk up to it, but when I try to start the car it says the key isn’t in the car. I literally have to hold the fob up against the steering column in order for it to recognize it.

Yes, I changed my battery last week, it’s not the battery.
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      01-20-2020, 08:37 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PIPE_DR View Post
You need to go into the car/settings menu and allow for preconditioning. It's in a weird place but it's something you need to turn on in I drive. Climate control- preconditioning/ ventilation remote engine start
I've already done that. I've preconditioned before where the vehicle starts. It won't work now.
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      01-20-2020, 08:40 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CruiseControl View Post
If you don't use the vehicle for few days and approach it with the keyfob, comfort mode will not work. You must open the vehicle via the keyfob or door handle. After starting it the next time you enter it will work as you would expect.

Is this what you experienced?
No. The vehicle won't start at all. I used the unlock button on the remote to get in. The vehicle won't start. I've held it up to the steering column and it's not being recognized.
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      01-20-2020, 02:15 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jthompson View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CruiseControl View Post
If you don't use the vehicle for few days and approach it with the keyfob, comfort mode will not work. You must open the vehicle via the keyfob or door handle. After starting it the next time you enter it will work as you would expect.

Is this what you experienced?
No. The vehicle won't start at all. I used the unlock button on the remote to get in. The vehicle won't start. I've held it up to the steering column and it's not being recognized.
take it back to the dealership to have it recoded?? should be free under warranty?
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      01-22-2020, 06:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jthompson View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CruiseControl View Post
If you don't use the vehicle for few days and approach it with the keyfob, comfort mode will not work. You must open the vehicle via the keyfob or door handle. After starting it the next time you enter it will work as you would expect.

Is this what you experienced?
No. The vehicle won't start at all. I used the unlock button on the remote to get in. The vehicle won't start. I've held it up to the steering column and it's not being recognized.
take it back to the dealership to have it recoded?? should be free under warranty?
I couldn't take it back to the dealership. The vehicle wouldn't start.

I had it towed to my local dealership. The control module for comfort access and the ignition was bad. They replaced that and when they tried to get it all up and running the head unit crashed. They tried to reprogram the head unit both from the dealership and also remotely from a BMW tech and neither could get the head unit reprogrammed.

A new head unit module was ordered and should be here tomorrow. Here's to hoping this fixes the issue and there are no further problems.
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      01-23-2020, 11:20 AM   #14
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Is there a physical key to start the car up manually in situations like this?
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      01-23-2020, 01:17 PM   #15
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Is there a physical key to start the car up manually in situations like this?
Not to my knowledge. If there is one, I'd sure like to know. I will ask my SA when I pick up my vehicle.
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      01-29-2020, 10:52 AM   #16
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I've had this happen a few times. When I'm in the car, with the key it acts like I don't have it. I've found that if I place it in the charging dock near the cupholders, it'll then see it and it works fine.
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      02-12-2020, 06:12 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jthompson View Post
I couldn't take it back to the dealership. The vehicle wouldn't start.

I had it towed to my local dealership. The control module for comfort access and the ignition was bad. They replaced that and when they tried to get it all up and running the head unit crashed. They tried to reprogram the head unit both from the dealership and also remotely from a BMW tech and neither could get the head unit reprogrammed.

A new head unit module was ordered and should be here tomorrow. Here's to hoping this fixes the issue and there are no further problems.
Seems like dealers create even more problems when cars are brought in for service.
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      02-12-2020, 07:50 PM   #18
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I’m tired of my key sporadically forgetting me. I’m taking the X7 in next week to get it addressed.
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      08-12-2020, 11:36 AM   #19
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Solution

Not sure whether it will be long term solution or not but I had the exact same issue in our X7. Both keys in car, holding up to the steering column etc. Would not start. Could remote start but could not drive. Keys would unlock and lock the doors etc.

Called BMW assist. They said the key sensor module was not functional. They were sending a flatbed when I decided to disconnect battery to see if it would reset. Sure enough works like a champ now.

Not sure if it even makes send to take it in unless I have another issue given the other problems that repairs could create as mentioned by others.
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      08-12-2020, 12:27 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JM72 View Post
Not sure whether it will be long term solution or not but I had the exact same issue in our X7. Both keys in car, holding up to the steering column etc. Would not start. Could remote start but could not drive. Keys would unlock and lock the doors etc.

Called BMW assist. They said the key sensor module was not functional. They were sending a flatbed when I decided to disconnect battery to see if it would reset. Sure enough works like a champ now.

Not sure if it even makes send to take it in unless I have another issue given the other problems that repairs could create as mentioned by others.
This might be what's going on with your vehicle. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74317-9999.pdf.
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      08-31-2023, 11:06 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JM72 View Post
Not sure whether it will be long term solution or not but I had the exact same issue in our X7. Both keys in car, holding up to the steering column etc. Would not start. Could remote start but could not drive. Keys would unlock and lock the doors etc.

Called BMW assist. They said the key sensor module was not functional. They were sending a flatbed when I decided to disconnect battery to see if it would reset. Sure enough works like a champ now.

Not sure if it even makes send to take it in unless I have another issue given the other problems that repairs could create as mentioned by others.
I have fixed several odd issues, including the car not recognizing the fob even when pressed against the icon on steering column to start the car. Fob worked remotely, as expected, but I couldn't start the car in a normal fashion in order to drive the car. Disconnected car's battery, gave it 30 seconds, reconnected car's batt, and all good to go.
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      09-07-2023, 02:51 AM   #22
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Same problem here on X7. Before getting your car to dealer, just disconnect the battery in the boot of the car for half a minute or so. That did the trick for me.
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