I'm having an issue with my key fob: after replacing battery in the key fob (CR2032), it only lasts about 3 weeks before dying. It won't trigger ignition or dash and therefore you can't start it. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue. I store the fob inside, away from the bike when not using. I have talked to BMW dealer about this and they are going to submit a warranty claim to see what BMW factory has to say. It seems like something has gone awry in the fob electronics where it is always sending out a signal to try to connect to my bike and therefore running down the battery. They are supposed to last 1-2 years.
Mine lasted about one year and 8 months.....and even though the low key warning came up I still was lazy and used for another month. Even with that low battery warning everything worked well.
How long does it last even when the warning shows up i dont know but one month has been tested
I had to replace mine at about 9 months (from new), and just the other day I received another warning about it, which makes this one about 4 months. This last battery was a no-name brand, so I'm putting in a name brand one in this time and we'll see how long it lasts. I have had concerns about this myself, and like the OP, don't store the fob anywhere near the bike.
Mine drained the battery repeatedly within a few days even though the fob was stored in the house about 100' from the bike. My dealer replaced it under warranty and I've not had a problem since.
Just replaced mine after 9 months and within a week I got the 50% life warning on the dash. I keep batteries with me so I will see if it's a fob problem or a false warning.
My understanding that even with a dead battery, the fob will still work if you use it as you would the plastic emergency key. Assume this is true but never tried it.
My 2017 1200GS over 42,000 kms in 20 months never had an issue with my key battery.
With the 1250GS i started getting a warning on the TFT screen that 50% of the battery remained after about 7 months and 16,000 kms.
15,000 kms later i rarely get the battery warning and when i do it still shows 50%. FIIK what's going on. Another BMW idiosyncrasy maybe.
Dan,
If you have a voltmeter, I'd recommend testing the batteries. You should also make sure that you've inserted a top-quality battery that is very fresh. I went through 3 batteries in the fob (in a month) for my new-to-me 17.5 GS. Was about to order a replacement fob, but started testing the batteries. The "Keylo" message was present for batteries at 3.1v. I decided to try once more with a brand-name, very "fresh" battery. It read as 3.4v on my multimeter, and I haven't seen "Keylo" since installing it a couple months ago.
Brian
If you have a voltmeter, I'd recommend testing the batteries. You should also make sure that you've inserted a top-quality battery that is very fresh. I went through 3 batteries in the fob (in a month) for my new-to-me 17.5 GS. Was about to order a replacement fob, but started testing the batteries. The "Keylo" message was present for batteries at 3.1v. I decided to try once more with a brand-name, very "fresh" battery. It read as 3.4v on my multimeter, and I haven't seen "Keylo" since installing it a couple months ago.
OK, I checked the batteries on both fobs with a multimeter this morning. Both read 3.25+ volts. One is a new battery I installed and the other is the one BMW installed when I picked up the bike 2 weeks ago.
So this may be either a bad fob issue (warranty item) or a case of lower quality batteries
I've noticed that when I ride in cold weax the FOB low battery alert is likely to come on.
I've replaced my battery twice since January 16th when I got my bike. I've not seen an alert above 50 degrees F. I was keeping my FOB in an outer jacket pocket, now I keep it in my pants or in the pocket of my electric jacket, cold temp battery seems to be an issue. I carry spare "Name Brand" batteries in my inner jacket pocket,
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