One of my key fobs will only lock/unlock the car if you are within about 3 feet. It gets used fairly frequently, so the battery should be charged. I'm guessing the battery just won't hold a charge anymore. Does anyone know if it is possible to crack the fob open and replace the battery? I really don't want to spend $250 on a new one just for the battery (assuming that's what it is).

 

as I recall the comfort access (convenient access) battery is replaceable, the standard FOB is supposed to recharge and the battery is not user replaceable unless as you say you dissect and solder a new one in . . .


check owner's manual . . . this is how it was for 07 and 09 . . . I have those manuals

 

That's basically what the parts dept of a dealership told me. Even rechargeable batteries can only be recharged a finite number of times (think of how many iPod/iPhone batteries need replacing).

I was just hoping some enterprising soul had cracked one open to change the battery.

 

If you crack it open and try to replace the battery and it doesn't work then you will need to replace the fob anyway. Comfort access remotes are the only ones with replaceable batteries, others the fob has to be replaced assuming you have a gen 2 model. You can just replace the fob and refuse the key and save some money. The fobs cost around $170 for non comfort access, comfort access are over $200 for the fob alone, keys are around $40

 

I have Comfort Access, what types of batteries do I need? I'm having a similar issue.

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showphoto.do?id=66126912985

 

CR-2032

Available at various prices, from about $0.50 up.
Mostly up if you buy it at your friendly MINI dealer.

 

there is a how-to here on NAM to replace the non comfort access rechargeable battery ... it even spells out the battery number

 

Yeah, that may wait until it is totally useless. Until then, I'll just live with it.