RFuchs77
BMW i8 Key Fob Failure, Antenna Issue or Battery Dead?
Ignition cannot be switched on
Fault stored
Locking/Unlocking issue
4 comment(s)
Hey there! I can relate to your key fob issues. I had a similar problem with my 2016 BMW i3 Hybrid last winter. At first, I thought it was just a battery issue, but when I got it checked at the garage, turns out the antenna connection cable near the front bumper was corroded and had a partial break. The symptoms were exactly like yours, inconsistent locking/unlocking and had to use the physical key to start. My car was throwing the same error codes too. It wasn't a major repair, but definitely needed a professional touch since it involved some delicate wiring work and proper diagnostic tools to reset the system. The mechanic had to replace the antenna cable and reprogram the key fob to sync with the car's system. The whole thing took about half a day to fix. Just make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW's hybrid systems, these cars have specific diagnostic requirements. Looking back, it wasn't as serious as I initially feared, but it's not something you want to ignore either.
Wow, thanks for sharing your experience! That's super helpful, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with on my i8. Really good to hear it wasn't anything too major. Mind if I ask how much the repair ended up costing you? And has everything been working smoothly since the fix? Just want to make sure I'm prepared for what's ahead and if there's anything else I should watch out for.
Wow, thanks for sharing your experience! That's super helpful, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with on my i8. Really good to hear it wasn't anything too major. Mind if I ask how much the repair ended up costing you? And has everything been working smoothly since the fix? Just want to make sure I'm prepared for what's ahead and if there's anything else I should watch out for.
Hey again! Good news, I can definitely give you an update on how everything turned out. After seeing the mechanic, they fixed the bumper antenna issue just like I thought they would. It cost me 95 € to repair the faulty cable and plug connection. Pretty reasonable, if you ask me! And you'll be glad to hear everything's been working perfectly since then. The key fob works like a charm now, no more fumbling around with the physical key! The car starts right up, and the locking/unlocking is back to normal. Really was just that simple cable issue we talked about before. Just make sure you get someone who knows their way around BMW hybrids, that's super important. The diagnostic work needs to be spot-on with these cars. But honestly, once it's fixed, you shouldn't have any more trouble. Been driving mine for months now without a single problem. Hope this helps put your mind at ease about the whole thing!
Hey again! Good news, I can definitely give you an update on how everything turned out. After seeing the mechanic, they fixed the bumper antenna issue just like I thought they would. It cost me 95 € to repair the faulty cable and plug connection. Pretty reasonable, if you ask me! And you'll be glad to hear everything's been working perfectly since then. The key fob works like a charm now, no more fumbling around with the physical key! The car starts right up, and the locking/unlocking is back to normal. Really was just that simple cable issue we talked about before. Just make sure you get someone who knows their way around BMW hybrids, that's super important. The diagnostic work needs to be spot-on with these cars. But honestly, once it's fixed, you shouldn't have any more trouble. Been driving mine for months now without a single problem. Hope this helps put your mind at ease about the whole thing!
Thanks so much for all the info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you were spot on. Had a really different experience this time, found a certified BMW specialist who knew exactly what they were doing. The whole repair was way smoother than I expected. Turned out my issue was also a faulty antenna connection, but mine needed a full antenna replacement. Cost a bit more than yours, around 150 plus labor, but honestly, it was worth every penny. They had it fixed in about three hours, and the difference is like night and day. The key fob's working perfectly now, no more struggling with the manual key, and the error code's gone too. Such a relief! Really glad I asked here first, your experience helped me know what to expect and not get overcharged. Definitely keeping this mechanic's number for future reference. Thanks again for helping me dodge another bad repair experience!
Thanks so much for all the info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you were spot on. Had a really different experience this time, found a certified BMW specialist who knew exactly what they were doing. The whole repair was way smoother than I expected. Turned out my issue was also a faulty antenna connection, but mine needed a full antenna replacement. Cost a bit more than yours, around 150 plus labor, but honestly, it was worth every penny. They had it fixed in about three hours, and the difference is like night and day. The key fob's working perfectly now, no more struggling with the manual key, and the error code's gone too. Such a relief! Really glad I asked here first, your experience helped me know what to expect and not get overcharged. Definitely keeping this mechanic's number for future reference. Thanks again for helping me dodge another bad repair experience!
Hey there! I can relate to your key fob issues. I had a similar problem with my 2016 BMW i3 Hybrid last winter. At first, I thought it was just a battery issue, but when I got it checked at the garage, turns out the antenna connection cable near the front bumper was corroded and had a partial break. The symptoms were exactly like yours, inconsistent locking/unlocking and had to use the physical key to start. My car was throwing the same error codes too. It wasn't a major repair, but definitely needed a professional touch since it involved some delicate wiring work and proper diagnostic tools to reset the system. The mechanic had to replace the antenna cable and reprogram the key fob to sync with the car's system. The whole thing took about half a day to fix. Just make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW's hybrid systems, these cars have specific diagnostic requirements. Looking back, it wasn't as serious as I initially feared, but it's not something you want to ignore either.