CA keyfob battery

granadablanca · 06-05-2010, 10:57 PM

idiot warning...apologies in advance.

how do i open the keyfob to replace the battery? i feel like i'm going to break something if i keep prying at it randomly.

thanks,
dave

VTECaddict · 06-05-2010, 11:11 PM

Pull out the metal key and then you'll see a little gap to pry the cover open.

granadablanca · 06-05-2010, 11:12 PM

cheers, got it.

06-05-2010, 11:23 PM

How many miles do you have on your car? I just want to know approximately how long the CA key fob battery will last.

spdy330 · 06-05-2010, 11:25 PM

Mine had 42k on it when I got a low battery warning.

Alexander · 06-05-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy330

Mine had 42k on it when I got a low battery warning.

At 44k I got low battery warning as well.

Blacksapphiref06 · 06-06-2010, 02:57 AM

With 22800 miles, i alrd got warnings

persian54 · 06-06-2010, 03:28 AM

im at 15k

and sometimes it says the key isn't present... X.x

John 070 · 06-06-2010, 06:42 AM

It's a battery so I don't think how long it lasts is a function of mileage!

My first one lasted almost 3 years. The second one about 5 weeks (the car was at the dealership and who really knows what they did). The third one is going strong for about a month.

The best one was when a SA at my dealership said I shouldn't just leave it in my pocket, it has a 2nd battery that has to be charged from being put in the dash. Can you believe that?

jopa489 · 06-06-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

It's a battery so I don't think how long it lasts is a function of mileage!

My first one lasted almost 3 years. The second one about 5 weeks (the car was at the dealership and who really knows what they did). The third one is going strong for about a month.

The best one was when a SA at my dealership said I shouldn't just leave it in my pocket, it has a 2nd battery that has to be charged from being put in the dash. Can you believe that?

I really hate it when SA's spew crap like that..

dcorn · 06-06-2010, 01:16 PM

Bought my car at 3 years/24k miles and had the warning. Replaced the battery and had no issues since.

Buegie · 06-06-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

The best one was when a SA at my dealership said I shouldn't just leave it in my pocket, it has a 2nd battery that has to be charged from being put in the dash. Can you believe that?

I've heard this from my SA and I've heard it a few more times on this forum. Has any actually opened one of these up to confirm that there actually is only one battery? Either there is a second battery or all of these SA's are getting this idea from somewhere...

persian54 · 06-06-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

It's a battery so I don't think how long it lasts is a function of mileage!

but mileage is an indicator of how long you have had the car...
as well as how many times the ket has been used to unlock/lock the car as well as be used to turn it on

VTECaddict · 06-06-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buegie

I've heard this from my SA and I've heard it a few more times on this forum. Has any actually opened one of these up to confirm that there actually is only one battery? Either there is a second battery or all of these SA's are getting this idea from somewhere...

The majority of cars don't have the CA option, so they're probably just assuming it's like the non-CA fob. There's only one non-rechargeable battery. If you take the coin battery out, the buttons and CA don't work. Besides, requiring it to be in the dash to recharge would completely defeat the purpose of CA.

Oulixes · 06-06-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

It's a battery so I don't think how long it lasts is a function of mileage!

My first one lasted almost 3 years. The second one about 5 weeks (the car was at the dealership and who really knows what they did). The third one is going strong for about a month.

The best one was when a SA at my dealership said I shouldn't just leave it in my pocket, it has a 2nd battery that has to be charged from being put in the dash. Can you believe that?

I agree - battery lifetime depends on time, not mileage. The CR2032 are lithium batteries that last about 3 years in the CA; the time may be shorter for a stale battery. As far as opinions, advice and comments at dealerships, nothing is bizarre enough when it concerns electricity.

CaptChaos · 06-07-2010, 12:42 AM

Mine lasted just under 3 years.

SkipSauls · 06-07-2010, 11:24 AM

My SA told me to put the CA key into the slot every now and then, but not because it would recharge the battery. She has gadget on her desk with a slot in it that can "read" the current status of the vehicle from the key, but only if the key has recently been in the slot in the car. I now try to remember to put the key in every now and then to keep it up to date, and put it in for the drive to the dealership if it is going in for service.

John 070 · 06-07-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

but mileage is an indicator of how long you have had the car...
as well as how many times the ket has been used to unlock/lock the car as well as be used to turn it on

I agree with the 2nd part. My Nissan fob has been in a drawer for almost 13 years, and never used. When the one I used broke, I just took the other one out and it works just fine. I opened it for kicks, and it has a 2025 battery. From never being used, it is still good over 12 years later....

John 070 · 06-07-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

The majority of cars don't have the CA option, so they're probably just assuming it's like the non-CA fob. There's only one non-rechargeable battery. If you take the coin battery out, the buttons and CA don't work. Besides, requiring it to be in the dash to recharge would completely defeat the purpose of CA.

I agree, but it was his way of telling me it's ok for me to get a key with a slash through it even though I have the fob in my pocket. Needless to say I make sure my appt. is not with him. He just makes things up as he goes along. Said if you get long cranks, don't try to start the car again, just wait a while and it should start fine. Wait a while?? I don't want to say anything in front of the other SA's--that's the only reason I hold my tongue.

VTECaddict · 06-07-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

My SA told me to put the CA key into the slot every now and then, but not because it would recharge the battery. She has gadget on her desk with a slot in it that can "read" the current status of the vehicle from the key, but only if the key has recently been in the slot in the car. I now try to remember to put the key in every now and then to keep it up to date, and put it in for the drive to the dealership if it is going in for service.

You don't need to constantly keep it updated. I just stick it in when I get to the dealer because they tell you to leave the key in the car...and the slot is the best place to put it.

persian54 · 06-08-2010, 07:49 PM

i use my other key that has never been stuck in

just in case there's something stored in there that i wouldn't want...

Blacksapphiref06 · 06-08-2010, 08:10 PM

just back from the dealership, they replaced my fob battery with a new one under warranty

06-05-2010, 10:57 PM	#1
granadablanca Private First Class 19 Rep 178 Posts Drives: E90 330i, AP1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	CA keyfob battery idiot warning...apologies in advance. how do i open the keyfob to replace the battery? i feel like i'm going to break something if i keep prying at it randomly. thanks, dave
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-05-2010, 11:11 PM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Pull out the metal key and then you'll see a little gap to pry the cover open. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2010, 11:12 PM	#3
granadablanca Private First Class 19 Rep 178 Posts Drives: E90 330i, AP1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	cheers, got it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2010, 11:23 PM	#4
beemer3 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	How many miles do you have on your car? I just want to know approximately how long the CA key fob battery will last.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2010, 11:25 PM	#5
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	Mine had 42k on it when I got a low battery warning. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2010, 02:57 AM	#7
Blacksapphiref06 Lieutenant 22 Rep 595 Posts Drives: F06 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Java iTrader: (3) Garage List 2013 BMW F06 [9.90] 2007 BMW M6 [8.50]	With 22800 miles, i alrd got warnings __________________ 08 BMW 335i E92 [ Space Grey on Coral Red Leather ] 07 BMW M6 E63 [ Space Grey on Black Nappa Leather ] 13 BMW 640i F06 [ Black Sapphire on Cinnamon Brown Leather ]
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2010, 03:28 AM	#8
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	im at 15k and sometimes it says the key isn't present... X.x __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2010, 06:42 AM	#9
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	It's a battery so I don't think how long it lasts is a function of mileage! My first one lasted almost 3 years. The second one about 5 weeks (the car was at the dealership and who really knows what they did). The third one is going strong for about a month. The best one was when a SA at my dealership said I shouldn't just leave it in my pocket, it has a 2nd battery that has to be charged from being put in the dash. Can you believe that?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-06-2010, 01:16 PM	#11
dcorn Captain 77 Rep 940 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2)	Bought my car at 3 years/24k miles and had the warning. Replaced the battery and had no issues since.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2010, 12:42 AM	#16
CaptChaos Captain 55 Rep 817 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 - Mineral Grey Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Richmond, BC, Canada iTrader: (0)	Mine lasted just under 3 years.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2010, 11:24 AM	#17
SkipSauls First Lieutenant 40 Rep 361 Posts Drives: E70 X5 35d Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Longmont, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i Coupe [0.00]	My SA told me to put the CA key into the slot every now and then, but not because it would recharge the battery. She has gadget on her desk with a slot in it that can "read" the current status of the vehicle from the key, but only if the key has recently been in the slot in the car. I now try to remember to put the key in every now and then to keep it up to date, and put it in for the drive to the dealership if it is going in for service.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2010, 07:49 PM	#21
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	i use my other key that has never been stuck in just in case there's something stored in there that i wouldn't want... __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2010, 08:10 PM	#22
Blacksapphiref06 Lieutenant 22 Rep 595 Posts Drives: F06 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Java iTrader: (3) Garage List 2013 BMW F06 [9.90] 2007 BMW M6 [8.50]	just back from the dealership, they replaced my fob battery with a new one under warranty __________________ 08 BMW 335i E92 [ Space Grey on Coral Red Leather ] 07 BMW M6 E63 [ Space Grey on Black Nappa Leather ] 13 BMW 640i F06 [ Black Sapphire on Cinnamon Brown Leather ]
	Appreciate 0 Quote