Key low battery

[Neil W]

A yearly thing on my 1250 ,even using Varta or Panasonic and keys that are stored in a key safe 40 or so feet away from the bike

 

[Edventure]

I had a "key battery at 50%" warning come up last week on my 1250GSA.

Odd I thought as I hadn't long fitted a new Varta CR3032 lithium coin cell.

Started the bike fine today, pulled away and "Key not detected, unable to restart engine" came up then cleared after about ten seconds...... Odd again as the key was in the front of my tank bag as normal, close to the TFT and keyless ignition button.

Got to work, measured a brand new Varta coin cell with my calibrated Fluke 179 multimeter at 3.262V and fitted it.

The old coin cell was at 3.030V so only dropped by 232 mV, hardly like it was failing.

I now wonder if the way BMW has set the software level warning for the battery level is a bit too strict ?

ALWAYS CARRY A SPARE NEW CR2032 COIN BATTERY !!!!

Experienced the same issue. I've only had the bike since December and I'm on my 3rd key fob battery. I put a new Varta one in 3 weeks ago and at the weekend the TFT warning message came up saying the battery was at 50%.

I'd previously wondered if my Apple Airtag which was attached to the key fob was causing my fob to stay awake so took that off when I changed the last battery but it's still draining faster than it should.

 

[borat]

I put a Varta in mine. It’s lasted longer but only about 6 weeks to a 50% warning. I’ll probably put up with it until the next recall or service and see what they say then. May be a software update by then if it is as you say

 

[leadfarmer]

Still on the original battery in mine, got the bike in Jan 24

 

[Sly]

Still on the original battery in mine, got the bike in Jan 24

Which battery is in yours?

 

[Sneldog]

Just replaced my fob battery after getting a warning about it and first time I started the bike - same warning!

 

[tspivey]

I changed my battery several times over the 18 months or so I had my 1250 and using a Varta appeared to sort it in the end.
My 1300 has the original battery from new (04/03/24) and I’ve not had any warnings at all. I had a look and it’s a Panasonic.
The key is kept in a drawer in the house around 20 metres away from the bike in the garage

 

[leadfarmer]

Which battery is in yours?

No idea

The key lives out in the open, no tin box or anything, maybe that makes a difference

 

[pbbanks]

BMW dealers fit Varta batteries in the remote, they are high capacity 230mAH.
Not all CR2032 batteries are the same.
Other makes can be high capacity but check the details or they won't last long.

 

[busy builder]

My R1250R is the same, replaced the battery and next ride out got that bloody message again. Is there any way of getting the big yellow message off the screen when out on a ride ?
So is the answer to keep the key in a tin ? I keep mine on a lanyard around my neck.

 

[littleade]

My R1250R is the same, replaced the battery and next ride out got that bloody message again. Is there any way of getting the big yellow message off the screen when out on a ride ?
So is the answer to keep the key in a tin ? I keep mine on a lanyard around my neck.

IIRC you just have to toggle the wonder wheel to the left? I only changed my battery once in nearly 4 years on my 1250GS, Unless I was riding my bike I never had the fob in range of the bike (the bike was in my detached garage, the key in the house). As others have said steer clear of Duracell, they won't work at all in my VAG car that has it but Panasonic work fine. I don't have clueless on my RS, the "inconvenience" of having to use a key is minimal and as I've never lost a key to my bike keyless is something I've never really needed.

 

[Pukmeister]

Is there any way of getting the big yellow message off the screen when out on a ride ?

Try pushing the whizz wheel/wonder wheel to the right as I recall ( basically in the direction of the small tab on the warning screen yellow box) and holding for a few seconds.

The message should disappear.

 

[Traffic893]

I’ve just replaced mine 18mnths.

 

[pbbanks]

I had a "key battery at 50%" warning come up last week on my 1250GSA.

Odd I thought as I hadn't long fitted a new Varta CR3032 lithium coin cell.

Started the bike fine today, pulled away and "Key not detected, unable to restart engine" came up then cleared after about ten seconds...... Odd again as the key was in the front of my tank bag as normal, close to the TFT and keyless ignition button.

Got to work, measured a brand new Varta coin cell with my calibrated Fluke 179 multimeter at 3.262V and fitted it.

The old coin cell was at 3.030V so only dropped by 232 mV, hardly like it was failing.

I now wonder if the way BMW has set the software level warning for the battery level is a bit too strict ?

ALWAYS CARRY A SPARE NEW CR2032 COIN BATTERY !!!!

Think the sensor for the keyless is under the seat & not in the tft nor ignition button. But would have thought it should still have worked when it was in your tank bag so long as it wasn't shielded by anything.

 

[Pukmeister]

Fair point, I never thought of that. Bloody thing should still be in range though and it wasn’t being shielded by anything.