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sinawolf5

BMW i5 Door Handle Electronics Causing Battery Drain

Key fob issues

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Fault stored

Hey all! Need some advice on my 2024 BMW i5 (112,676 km). My keyless entry stopped working completely and the car keeps showing fault codes for open-circuit current issues. Battery discharge warnings popping up too. Pretty sure it's the door handle electronics acting up. Had a not-so-great experience with my last mechanic, so I'm hesitant to go back. Has anyone dealt with similar issues on their i5? What was the actual problem and how much did the repair cost? Looking for trustworthy repair recommendations. Thanks in advance!

4 comment(s)


dieterjones3

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2021 BMW iX3 last month. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced, keyless entry failure and those annoying battery warnings. Took it to the garage and it turned out to be corroded connections in the door handle sensor unit. The moisture had gotten in and messed up the wiring harness. The fix wasn't particularly complicated, but it required specialized diagnostic equipment to properly identify the affected circuits. They had to replace the door handle sensor assembly and reprogram the central locking system. Not a major repair in terms of complexity, but definitely not something you'd want to ignore as it can lead to bigger electrical issues. I'd suggest having it checked soon since electrical gremlins tend to get worse over time. Just make sure wherever you take it has experience with BMW's electric models and their security systems. The dealer might be your best bet for this particular issue. Hope this helps!

sinawolf5 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's super helpful since I've been worrying about this for a while now. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since they fixed it, or have you noticed any other quirks popping up? I'm trying to get a sense of whether this is a one-and-done fix or if I should be prepared for related issues down the line.

dieterjones3

Hey again! Great news, everything's been working perfectly since I had it fixed! Not a single problem with the keyless entry or any other electrical issues. I went to see a certified mechanic and they sorted it right away, turned out to be just a faulty cable connection in the door handle unit, nothing too serious thankfully. The total bill came to 95 € which was a relief since I was expecting much worse! They had to replace some wiring and do a bit of reprogramming, but it was all pretty straightforward. The repair took about an hour and a half. I'd definitely say it's been a one-and-done fix, no other quirks or problems since then. My iX3 is running like a charm now. Sometimes these electrical issues seem scary but end up being simpler than expected. Just make sure you get it looked at by someone who knows their way around BMW's electrical systems and you should be good to go! Let me know how it works out for you!

sinawolf5 (Author)

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were right, it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. Found a certified BMW specialist and they diagnosed it pretty quickly. In my case, it was a faulty door handle sensor and some water damage to the wiring. The repair cost was a bit higher than yours, around 150 €, but they also had to dry out and reseal the whole unit to prevent future moisture issues. Took about two hours total, but I'm just glad it's fixed. The keyless entry is working perfectly now, and all those annoying warning messages have disappeared. Really appreciate your help and advice! It definitely made me feel better about getting it checked out instead of putting it off. The mechanic even showed me what was wrong and explained everything, which was a nice change from my last experience. Fingers crossed it stays problem-free like yours! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

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