Short Range on Remote Keyless Entry?

karpman9

karpman9

Member
#1
Messages
41
Likes
0
Location
Scottsdale, Arizona
#1
Hello Friends,

Three weeks ago I upgraded my car from a 2001 IS300 to a new 2004, 330i ZHP Sedan, Jet Black. I've already openly declared my TRUE LOVE for this, my first BMW in the E46 forum, but I do have a question for thw General Car Chat Forum.

The range of my keyless entry seems very short compared to my previous Lexus. In my Lexus, I could be at least 100 feet away or more and it would still "chirp" my car and unlock the doors. With my E46, it seems like I have to be within 10 feet! What gives? Do I have defective fobs? Thanks!

[screwy] [screwy] [screwy] [screwy]
 
theBMWenthusiast

theBMWenthusiast

2
#2
Messages
1,570
Likes
0
Location
Orange County, California
#2
first of, welcome to the forum, with the keys, 10 feet....last night i "chirped" the car from like 50 feet...could be something defective with the key...did u try the other master key? if i remember correctly the keys use a system that when they are in your cars ignition they charge up the battery and there could be a defect
 
Last edited:
codex57

codex57

2
#3
Messages
3,476
Likes
0
Location
Lincoln, CA
#3
No, it's a common problem. BEst way to increase range is to try the "chin" technique. What you do is touch the metal part of the key to your chin as you hit the lock/unlock button. It'll extend the range. Won't be what you're used to from the lexus, but it'll be much better.
 
theBMWenthusiast

theBMWenthusiast

2
#4
Messages
1,570
Likes
0
Location
Orange County, California
#4
codex57 said:
No, it's a common problem. BEst way to increase range is to try the "chin" technique. What you do is touch the metal part of the key to your chin as you hit the lock/unlock button. It'll extend the range. Won't be what you're used to from the lexus, but it'll be much better.
Click to expand...
im gonna try this and see the range [:D]
 
codex57

codex57

2
#7
Messages
3,476
Likes
0
Location
Lincoln, CA
#7
I do it to find my car. I look for a car with the interior lights on or look for the flash of my blinkers as it unlocks. Or, I'm doing it to open the car for a passenger who happens to be a lot closer to my car than I am.

Plus, I used to own a Jeep Cherokee. Now that thing had horrible range. I literally had to point the remote directly at the sensor in the front of the car. And I was so close before it worked, half the time it would have been quicker for me to just stick the key in the door and unlock it manually. And yes, this was a brand new car too. After that, I liked remotes that work from a far distance just because I was so traumatized by the Jeep. Our E320 has incredible range. In a pretty empty parking lot, the range is like 100 yards.
 
MrElussive

MrElussive

2
#8
Messages
6,984
Likes
0
Location
New Jersey
#8
Lexus does have incredible range with the remote keyless entry. For me, the only time a good range is useful for me is if I'm walking away from my car and I'm not sure if I locked it....then I can turn around and hit lock and see the blinkers without having to walk back to the car.

When Mercedes first started remote keyless entry, it was pretty hot. You had to hold the key RIGHT up to the driver-side door lock and push the button once. It will then flash green and that meant the doors were unlocked. You push the same button again and it would flash red and that meant the doors were locked. It wasn't practical at all and kind of a pain in the ass (you hold the key so close to the door lock, you might as well just use the key itself to manually unlock) but something about it makes it so cool. [:p]
 
karpman9

karpman9

Member
#9
Messages
41
Likes
0
Location
Scottsdale, Arizona
#9
I too like to use it to find my car, especially in airport parking garages. Sometimes, after walking a disctance away from my car, I'm not positive that my car is locked so I want confirmation, like last night at the movie theater, so I chirp my car to be sure. Other times, I just think it's "cool on approach", especially on a dark night, with a Jet Black car to illuminate the inside lights from afar. So I guess the distance/range somehow works on all levels of fun, security, and "cool-factor".

Thanks for your comments!
 
theBMWenthusiast

theBMWenthusiast

2
#10
Messages
1,570
Likes
0
Location
Orange County, California
#10
MrElussive said:
Lexus does have incredible range with the remote keyless entry. For me, the only time a good range is useful for me is if I'm walking away from my car and I'm not sure if I locked it....then I can turn around and hit lock and see the blinkers without having to walk back to the car. [:p]
Click to expand...
ya thats waht i do, usually when im walking away in a parking lot i doubt that i closed it so i turn around unlock it (see it blink) then lock it (and see it blink again to make sure)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top