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  1. #1

    Key battery replacement

    Anyone done this? My remote unlock is working at increasingly shorter distances, if I don't replace the battery will the ignition stop working as the key is matched to the ignition?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Quote Originally Posted by nsk040 View Post
    Anyone done this? My remote unlock is working at increasingly shorter distances, if I don't replace the battery will the ignition stop working as the key is matched to the ignition?
    The key will continue to work in the ignition even with a dead battery.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Martinez, CA
    Posts
    365
    My wife's key battery is dead and it still works in the door and the ignition no issues. I've seen some videos on how to replace the battery. But they seem to have different procedures, some say soldering and some say no soldering needed etc. So, she still has a dead key after maybe 8 years or so? Mine still works.
    2004 Imola Red over Black Leather. 6-MT, Navigation, Cold Weather Pkg (the wife loves them seat warmers!), 3.46 Diff, UUC Short-Shift Kit, Tranny Mounts, CDV Delete and iPod mount.

  4. #4
    I've done it. You need to solder, but most importantly, you need to desolder the old battery.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
    -Corey

    2003 Blue ZHP Sedan @ 210k
    Dead due to damaged valve. Parts are being transferred to a wagon:

    2003 325iT Japanrot 6MT @ 230k

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840
    2006 6MT Coupe, Alpine White • Premium, Cold Weather and Xenon packages
    MFactory 3.38 LSD • 27mm M3 bar • ECS strut brace • Koni FSD's


    Other tweaks: see my profile




  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Atlanta/Macon, Georgia
    Posts
    574
    Quote Originally Posted by nsk040 View Post
    Anyone done this? My remote unlock is working at increasingly shorter distances, if I don't replace the battery will the ignition stop working as the key is matched to the ignition?
    Quote Originally Posted by az3579 View Post
    The key will continue to work in the ignition even with a dead battery.
    Interesting you guys say that because I about a year ago, I returned from grocery shopping to find my car wouldn't start despite being able to open the door.
    Naturally I freaked out and called a local indy who stated it was probably the key. Car eventually started and when I got to my apartment and switched to the spare, boom. Instant start. I bought another key from BMW and never had that happen again. Very strange
    Last edited by JPMo; 05-06-2019 at 02:21 PM. Reason: Adding more detail

    2004 Titansilber Metallic BMW 330i ZHP

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Unrelated to the battery. The key itself could go bad, but a dead battery won't prevent an otherwise functioning key from starting the car.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  8. #8
    What they said. The actual transponder is powered inductively through the ignition column ring.

    You'd have other issues, that's not battery related, if you couldn't start the car.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
    -Corey

    2003 Blue ZHP Sedan @ 210k
    Dead due to damaged valve. Parts are being transferred to a wagon:

    2003 325iT Japanrot 6MT @ 230k

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