Key not detected

powertech83 · 10-06-2011, 03:04 PM

I stopped by the gas station, and I left my key on the storage space in front of the cup holders as my mom was with me. When I pressed start engine button, the "Remote not detected" message is appeared on the iDrive, I moved the key, put it on the cup holders, and the car started normally

Then we went to the bank and parked the car. When I am back in the car, I put the key in the same storage space and it wouldn't start again with the same warning message. Then the "put the remote in the steering column" message appeared, but I didn't do it, moved it to the cupholder started the car.
Then later when I dropped my mom off, as soon as the passenger door shut, the "Remote not detected" message appeared again on the iDrive screen for a brief period.
Is this mean the battery on the keyfob is low? Has this happened to any of you?

LEDZEP · 10-06-2011, 03:09 PM

Any chance your mom has a key to your car? If so, it is possible that it was looking for her key instead of yours. That might not really explain the first few anomalies, but would explain the last.

TuffLittleUnit · 10-06-2011, 03:15 PM

I had this the other day. Immediate thoughts were that the key, my iPhone and my Blackberry were all very close to eachother. I split them up and the message went away and I've not had it since.

I'm guessing that the key contains a passive RFID element and the phones were interfering with the car picking it up (shielding rather than interference).

powertech83 · 10-06-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Any chance your mom has a key to your car? If so, it is possible that it was looking for her key instead of yours. That might not really explain the first few anomalies, but would explain the last.

No she doesn't

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLittleUnit

I had this the other day. Immediate thoughts were that the key, my iPhone and my Blackberry were all very close to eachother. I split them up and the message went away and I've not had it since.

I'm guessing that the key contains a passive RFID element and the phones were interfering with the car picking it up (shielding rather than interference).

Hmm this is interesting, my blackberry was indeed next to the key fob. I'll try to see if it comes back. Thanks!

tuco44 · 10-06-2011, 03:28 PM

I have had the very occasional time where the car did not recognize that the key was present. Usually just moving the key will solve the problem. I usually have the key in my pocket. This is very occasional occurance, about twice in over 4 months. Seems a bit sensitive, but not a real problem IMO.

Alanintx · 10-06-2011, 03:30 PM

I have had this happen as well. Since I have had a number of BMW automobiles over the years, I have come to live with the fact that BMW electronics can be quirky.

BTW, I have an Iphone and I have learned not to keep it in the same pocket as the remote if I want the Comfort Access to work properly.

LEDZEP · 10-06-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLittleUnit

I had this the other day. Immediate thoughts were that the key, my iPhone and my Blackberry were all very close to eachother. I split them up and the message went away and I've not had it since.

I'm guessing that the key contains a passive RFID element and the phones were interfering with the car picking it up (shielding rather than interference).

This makes sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by powertech83

No she doesn't

Hmm this is interesting, my blackberry was indeed next to the key fob. I'll try to see if it comes back. Thanks!

Blackberry's are notorious for causing RFID interference. They play havoc with wireless headsets and the like. Could very well be the culprit.

Harplayr · 10-06-2011, 03:59 PM

I know that in my last BMW there were certain sections of downtown Chicago that had such strong interference that my key fob wouldn’t open the doors and I had to unlock manually with the key.

warmtoes · 10-06-2011, 04:57 PM

I have had an issue where the door does not open with comfort access because my iPhone is on top of or next to my key fob inside my pocket. Wonder if it's similar to your situation.

greg2step · 10-06-2011, 05:44 PM

happened to me a few times - i never noticed proximity to my phone, but i will think about that next time. usually just move the key and its fine.

people i know w/ other makes w/ similar types of keys have this happen - the world is full of interference

powertech83 · 10-06-2011, 09:29 PM

Thanks guys for the responses, I think my blackberry may have been the culprit, I will remember to keep them apart next time

Dukat · 10-06-2011, 09:40 PM

A CDMA cell phone in close proximity to the key will block the signal.
I have to keep my phone and key in opposite pockets, else the door won't open.

10-06-2011, 03:04 PM	#1
powertech83 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 208 Posts Drives: F25 X3 20d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0)	Key not detected I stopped by the gas station, and I left my key on the storage space in front of the cup holders as my mom was with me. When I pressed start engine button, the "Remote not detected" message is appeared on the iDrive, I moved the key, put it on the cup holders, and the car started normally Then we went to the bank and parked the car. When I am back in the car, I put the key in the same storage space and it wouldn't start again with the same warning message. Then the "put the remote in the steering column" message appeared, but I didn't do it, moved it to the cupholder started the car. Then later when I dropped my mom off, as soon as the passenger door shut, the "Remote not detected" message appeared again on the iDrive screen for a brief period. Is this mean the battery on the keyfob is low? Has this happened to any of you?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-06-2011, 03:09 PM	#2
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Any chance your mom has a key to your car? If so, it is possible that it was looking for her key instead of yours. That might not really explain the first few anomalies, but would explain the last. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 03:15 PM	#3
TuffLittleUnit Lieutenant 112 Rep 517 Posts Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leeds, UK iTrader: (0)	I had this the other day. Immediate thoughts were that the key, my iPhone and my Blackberry were all very close to eachother. I split them up and the message went away and I've not had it since. I'm guessing that the key contains a passive RFID element and the phones were interfering with the car picking it up (shielding rather than interference). __________________ G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 03:28 PM	#5
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	I have had the very occasional time where the car did not recognize that the key was present. Usually just moving the key will solve the problem. I usually have the key in my pocket. This is very occasional occurance, about twice in over 4 months. Seems a bit sensitive, but not a real problem IMO. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 03:30 PM	#6
Alanintx ATAP 4 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2017 Midnight Blue 430xi GC Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	I have had this happen as well. Since I have had a number of BMW automobiles over the years, I have come to live with the fact that BMW electronics can be quirky. BTW, I have an Iphone and I have learned not to keep it in the same pocket as the remote if I want the Comfort Access to work properly.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 03:59 PM	#8
Harplayr Lieutenant 19 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i, F25 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I know that in my last BMW there were certain sections of downtown Chicago that had such strong interference that my key fob wouldn’t open the doors and I had to unlock manually with the key.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 04:57 PM	#9
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	I have had an issue where the door does not open with comfort access because my iPhone is on top of or next to my key fob inside my pocket. Wonder if it's similar to your situation. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 05:44 PM	#10
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver 212 Rep 785 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i (G01) [0.00]	happened to me a few times - i never noticed proximity to my phone, but i will think about that next time. usually just move the key and its fine. people i know w/ other makes w/ similar types of keys have this happen - the world is full of interference __________________ 2018 X3 M40i G01 \| Phytonic Blue \| Mocha \| Premium+Exec \| Driver Assist \| Adaptive M Suspension 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in] 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 09:29 PM	#11
powertech83 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 208 Posts Drives: F25 X3 20d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys for the responses, I think my blackberry may have been the culprit, I will remember to keep them apart next time
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2011, 09:40 PM	#12
Dukat First Lieutenant 25 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	A CDMA cell phone in close proximity to the key will block the signal. I have to keep my phone and key in opposite pockets, else the door won't open. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Mineral Silver \| Oyster \| Wave Wood Packages \| Sports \| Cold Weather \| Dynamic Handling \| Premium \| Technology \| Premium Sound
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search