BIMMERCODE and Key Fob Issue

ZsF30 · 02-19-2024, 09:25 AM

Hello... new here, just trying to figure out if there is a fix to the following:

I recently bought a 2013 BMW 328ix SULEV for my 16 year old son. The car had halogen bulbs throughout that were very dim. I bought replacement bulbs in LED and used Bimmercode to use their "Conversion to LED" option for the lights. Everything went perfectly with no issues. Both of the key fobs worked perfectly prior to using Bimmercode but now, afterwards, both key fobs now intermittently show errors when starting the vehicle showing "Key Fob Not Detected" "Vehicle Will Not Start", and we have to hold the key fob up to the marker on the steering column. It also happens now to the spare key fob. I changed out both key fob batteries but its still happening. I tried holding the key up to the marker on the steering column while holding the Start button but the keys still intermittently say "Key Fob Not Detected" "Vehicle Will Not Start". I saw where it may be related to the Bimmercode use and tried to do the backup on Bimmercode but it still has the errors. The fobs still work, but we have to hold the key fob up to the steering column directly. Does anyone have experience with this.

Billfitz · 02-19-2024, 10:28 AM

I swapped out 100% to LED, coded with Bimmercode, never had a fob problem. I generally don't believe in coincidence but in this case it well may be. Your symptom is of a bad antenna or two. I've seen this happen when the entry lamps under the doors were swapped out to 3rd party logo lamps, but not to LED headlights. Put the halogens back in, see what happens. I suppose it's possible that some LEDs create radio frequency interference.

Wires · 02-19-2024, 12:25 PM

What type of batteries are you using in the key fobs? My home automation sensors use the same CR2450 cells as our keyfobs, and I used the Pkcell's I was getting off amazon for them, and had the same issue with the fobs.

Ended up just buying some new Energizer batteries for the fobs, and it's been flawless for the past month and a bit.

Also, make sure you hold the fob end side in to the column, or it won't be detected.

02-19-2024, 09:25 AM	#1
ZsF30 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 328ix F30 -BMW 540ix G30 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Saint Augustine Florida iTrader: (0)	BIMMERCODE and Key Fob Issue Hello... new here, just trying to figure out if there is a fix to the following: I recently bought a 2013 BMW 328ix SULEV for my 16 year old son. The car had halogen bulbs throughout that were very dim. I bought replacement bulbs in LED and used Bimmercode to use their "Conversion to LED" option for the lights. Everything went perfectly with no issues. Both of the key fobs worked perfectly prior to using Bimmercode but now, afterwards, both key fobs now intermittently show errors when starting the vehicle showing "Key Fob Not Detected" "Vehicle Will Not Start", and we have to hold the key fob up to the marker on the steering column. It also happens now to the spare key fob. I changed out both key fob batteries but its still happening. I tried holding the key up to the marker on the steering column while holding the Start button but the keys still intermittently say "Key Fob Not Detected" "Vehicle Will Not Start". I saw where it may be related to the Bimmercode use and tried to do the backup on Bimmercode but it still has the errors. The fobs still work, but we have to hold the key fob up to the steering column directly. Does anyone have experience with this.
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02-19-2024, 10:28 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8319 Rep 16,200 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I swapped out 100% to LED, coded with Bimmercode, never had a fob problem. I generally don't believe in coincidence but in this case it well may be. Your symptom is of a bad antenna or two. I've seen this happen when the entry lamps under the doors were swapped out to 3rd party logo lamps, but not to LED headlights. Put the halogens back in, see what happens. I suppose it's possible that some LEDs create radio frequency interference.
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02-19-2024, 12:25 PM	#3
Wires Brigadier General 1671 Rep 4,933 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	What type of batteries are you using in the key fobs? My home automation sensors use the same CR2450 cells as our keyfobs, and I used the Pkcell's I was getting off amazon for them, and had the same issue with the fobs. Ended up just buying some new Energizer batteries for the fobs, and it's been flawless for the past month and a bit. Also, make sure you hold the fob end side in to the column, or it won't be detected.
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