[PsychDoc]

Was fine last night but when I went to the garage today it didn't unlock when I approached the car. It did allow me to send an unlock order to the car from the My BMW app however. When I got in the car it didn't seem to recognize the phone's digital key so it wouldn't start. When I put the phone in the left charging tray the car started.
I reset the car's software by holding down the volume roller for 40 seconds but this didn't seem to have any effect. I checked the status of the digital keys in vehicle apps and both the main digital key as well as the wallet one are listed as active so I really have no idea what the issue is.

Very weird. Any ideas?

[LVBMW]

Did it unlock when you grabbed the handle? Is your passive entry still turned on in the digital key?

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

Was fine last night but when I went to the garage today it didn't unlock when I approached the car. It did allow me to send an unlock order to the car from the My BMW app however. When I got in the car it didn't seem to recognize the phone's digital key so it wouldn't start. When I put the phone in the left charging tray the car started.
I reset the car's software by holding down the volume roller for 40 seconds but this didn't seem to have any effect. I checked the status of the digital keys in vehicle apps and both the main digital key as well as the wallet one are listed as active so I really have no idea what the issue is.

Very weird. Any ideas?

You have to hold the volume switch for 70 seconds to reset iDrive.

[RichardInCA]

I’ll occasionally have something similar where I need to hold the phone near the door handle, but I’ve never had the phone fail to start the car. I’ve never needed to reset the iDrive to fix.

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

Did it unlock when you grabbed the handle? Is your passive entry still turned on in the digital key?

No it didn't. I had to send an unlock command to the car from the phone MyBmw app. I didn't know there was a check box within the digital key app in car that had to be checked. I imagine it must always have been checked as I've never had a problem before. Maybe somehow it got unchecked. I'll check next time I'm in the car.

[Bklyn]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

No it didn't. I had to send an unlock command to the car from the phone MyBmw app. I didn't know there was a check box within the digital key app in car that had to be checked. I imagine it must always have been checked as I've never had a problem before. Maybe somehow it got unchecked. I'll check next time I'm in the car.

Happens to me a lot. When it is not working I have to open the app and manually unlock it. It's not instant either you have to wait for "sending to vehicle" message and then it unlocks. Then it starts working again as usual. Nothing works correctly all the time in my vehicle. Hope you have better luck than me.

[SkykingUSA]

That has happened to me a few times since the last update. When I approach the car and it doesn't unlock right away, I just put my hand in the door handle and then the car goes back to "normal" after about 5-8 seconds. After that it works normally when I approach which is typically for the rest of the next day or two. Then it will happen again and the same thing fixes it. It seems as though the car "turns off" that feature. Maybe because it senses my key when I walk around in the kitchen and doesn't want to turn on and off every time I walk to the kitchen. Not sure, but the behavior definitely changed after the last update.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

That has happened to me a few times since the last update. When I approach the car and it doesn't unlock right away, I just put my hand in the door handle and then the car goes back to "normal" after about 5-8 seconds. After that it works normally when I approach which is typically for the rest of the next day or two. Then it will happen again and the same thing fixes it. It seems as though the car "turns off" that feature. Maybe because it senses my key when I walk around in the kitchen and doesn't want to turn on and off every time I walk to the kitchen. Not sure, but the behavior definitely changed after the last update.

This is pretty normal behavior when, as you said, the phone is near the car several times but no one actually opens a door. The car will stop listening for the passive entry function and will require grabbing the handle to open. It then returns to normal passive entry functioning.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

No it didn't. I had to send an unlock command to the car from the phone MyBmw app. I didn't know there was a check box within the digital key app in car that had to be checked. I imagine it must always have been checked as I've never had a problem before. Maybe somehow it got unchecked. I'll check next time I'm in the car.

The passive entry option is within the digital key on the phone. It’s in the Apple wallet. I can’t speak to exactly how to find it in Android devices.

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

The passive entry option is within the digital key on the phone. It’s in the Apple wallet. I can’t speak to exactly how to find it in Android devices.

Yes, I found the passive entry option and it was checked so it might just be one of those weird gremlins that comes and goes for no apparent reason. I'll see when I go down to the car tomorrow. Technology is great....when it works. LOL

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

This is pretty normal behavior when, as you said, the phone is near the car several times but no one actually opens a door. The car will stop listening for the passive entry function and will require grabbing the handle to open. It then returns to normal passive entry functioning.

That's what I was thinking too, but it seems odd that I still have to wait 5-8 seconds for the car to unlock when I physically put my hand in the door handle. I would have thought a physical interaction with the car like that would have been much quicker.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

That's what I was thinking too, but it seems odd that I still have to wait 5-8 seconds for the car to unlock when I physically put my hand in the door handle. I would have thought a physical interaction with the car like that would have been much quicker.

The same thing happens to me once it's stopped "listening." It takes several seconds to "wake up" once I grab the handle.

[Bklyn]

I don't think it's too much to ask that the car just "works ". Its actually ridiculous that this still happens... a lot. No offense intended but I disagree with the take that this can anyway be normal behavior. The technology is not a new breakthrough that never existed before. It should work all the time.
When I brought it in and discussed it with service their take is if it doesn't do it while it's here we cant fix it. And since if problems don't throw a "code" they can't address it. They design the software to record certain things and I'm sorry but it gives them an out.
There should be a way for the vehicle to be instructed by the user to make a note of what is happening.
When my issues started with Spotify and CarPlay, I was told to leave them my phone so they could work on it. That is completely unreasonable. Even when I brought it in and it wasn't working in the moment they still told me I had to leave the phone with them.
Honestly I gave up trying to have it fixed and just deal with a vehicle that is not nearly worth what I pay for it, and will never get another BMW again.

[Tyrop]

I’m pretty sure LVBMW had the right answer. It happens to me all the time when the car is in the garage. When you are walking around your house near the garage, the car will unlock and re-lock. You won’t even know it’s happening. If this happens a few times, the car gets smart and figures you are not trying to unlock the car and it will keep the car locked. You need to pull the handle a couple of times and it will unlock.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by Bklyn

I don't think it's too much to ask that the car just "works ". Its actually ridiculous that this still happens... a lot. No offense intended but I disagree with the take that this can anyway be normal behavior. The technology is not a new breakthrough that never existed before. It should work all the time.
When I brought it in and discussed it with service their take is if it doesn't do it while it's here we cant fix it. And since if problems don't throw a "code" they can't address it. They design the software to record certain things and I'm sorry but it gives them an out.
There should be a way for the vehicle to be instructed by the user to make a note of what is happening.
When my issues started with Spotify and CarPlay, I was told to leave them my phone so they could work on it. That is completely unreasonable. Even when I brought it in and it wasn't working in the moment they still told me I had to leave the phone with them.
Honestly I gave up trying to have it fixed and just deal with a vehicle that is not nearly worth what I pay for it, and will never get another BMW again.

I know you have a lot of complaints about your car and have experienced many issues that others don’t seem to. But the passive entry function going to sleep after several lock/unlock cycles is totally normal and frankly is a good thing. Much of the technology and software is new to BMW; they have not been making EVs as long as other manufacturers. This is a redesigned 5 series. There will be growing pains. If the service department is not reading any fault/error codes then the car is not reporting that it experienced an error. Do you really think there’s a conspiracy in Munich to program the car to not report certain faults that exist just to avoid having to fix them? I doubt it.

[dubb13]

Mine has the same behavior. after a few unlocks and I don't open the door it goes to sleep and I have to grab the door handle. could this be to keep less stress on the battery?

[Bklyn]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

I know you have a lot of complaints about your car and have experienced many issues that others don’t seem to. But the passive entry function going to sleep after several lock/unlock cycles is totally normal and frankly is a good thing. Much of the technology and software is new to BMW; they have not been making EVs as long as other manufacturers. This is a redesigned 5 series. There will be growing pains. If the service department is not reading any fault/error codes then the car is not reporting that it experienced an error. Do you really think there’s a conspiracy in Munich to program the car to not report certain faults that exist just to avoid having to fix them? I doubt it.

No I don't think there's a conspiracy theory at all. I absolutely am disgusted by the way I have been treated/spoken to and the insulting videos sent to me to "explain" what is happening. The assinine and ridiculous excuse they fall back on that I MUST use a BMW brand charger on my vehicle. Think about how ridiculous that is. If my three vehicles were all EV's then by their stance I need 3 different proprietary chargers. No One does that, nor should they and it's ridiculous to suggest it.
Taken on the whole including them telling me I had to leave them my phone leads me to think they are challenged on how to diagnose and repair this vehicle.
And yes I will say it, I have tremendous buyers remorse. Say what you want about Tesla but they work. With 3 Teslas over 10 years I never had growing pains. None... Zero

I even asked the service manager when she said I have to a BMW charger, why didn't the salesman tell me that when I was looking to commit to BMW. I was assured it wouldn't be a problem. I answered the question for her...To sell cars.

So yes I am disappointed and regret this. But on the bright side I think I only have like 30 months left.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by Bklyn

No I don't think there's a conspiracy theory at all. I absolutely am disgusted by the way I have been treated/spoken to and the insulting videos sent to me to "explain" what is happening. The assinine and ridiculous excuse they fall back on that I MUST use a BMW brand charger on my vehicle. Think about how ridiculous that is. If my three vehicles were all EV's then by their stance I need 3 different proprietary chargers. No One does that, nor should they and it's ridiculous to suggest it.
Taken on the whole including them telling me I had to leave them my phone leads me to think they are challenged on how to diagnose and repair this vehicle.
And yes I will say it, I have tremendous buyers remorse. Say what you want about Tesla but they work. With 3 Teslas over 10 years I never had growing pains. None... Zero

I even asked the service manager when she said I have to a BMW charger, why didn't the salesman tell me that when I was looking to commit to BMW. I was assured it wouldn't be a problem. I answered the question for her...To sell cars.

So yes I am disappointed and regret this. But on the bright side I think I only have like 30 months left.

Sorry about your issues. Obviously you don’t need the BMW charger. Most don’t use the BMW charger and have no issues. I agree that is a dumb excuse. I know it’s off topic for this thread, but have you tried charging on other L2 chargers or using the L1 110V cable to try to narrow down the issue?

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by dubb13

Mine has the same behavior. after a few unlocks and I don't open the door it goes to sleep and I have to grab the door handle. could this be to keep less stress on the battery?

I’m thinking that has a lot to do with it. It should’ve been explained in the manual, but it isn’t mentioned.

[pfannenstiel]

I am having occasional issues with this as well. I have also found that sometimes the functionality in the apple wallet doesn't work and says "not available" and then sometimes when listening to music from CarPlay the title of the song doesn't show up on the home screen but if I going into the CarPlay screen then it will show the title. I can either wait for the connection to work again or I go into mobile devices and I toggle CarPlay off and back on again.

I've considered that perhaps it's because I'm still on an iPhone 12. Are most people having issues using iPhones and I'm curious what generation phone you're using?

[Scrapula]

I use a Ford charger and have no issues. I was a software engineer since the late 1970’s (before switching to pharmacy in 2007). I expect software bugs and glitches. What I want is a great suspension, great build quality, no rattles, squeaks or other noises. That’s where Tesla falls apart. They have the software down, but haven’t been building cars long enough to get that part right.

[Bklyn]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I use a Ford charger and have no issues. I was a software engineer since the late 1970’s (before switching to pharmacy in 2007). I expect software bugs and glitches. What I want is a great suspension, great build quality, no rattles, squeaks or other noises. That’s where Tesla falls apart. They have the software down, but haven’t been building cars long enough to get that part right.

Agree and disagree. My three Teslas didn't fall apart. I just chose not to own a vehicle without a warranty. Also I would NEVER buy any EV. I don't care who manufactures it. Again your mileage may vary but my experience with MY vehicle is completely unacceptable, and I blame my dealer for adding to the problems. I will never buy or lease any vehicle this dealer sells.
Also I don't want to be misunderstood, I am not saying buy Tesla. I am expressing my frustration with my vehicle and experience. I have had this thing for almost 5 months and every week something is not right. That is not what I signed on for, nor did I sign up to be a guinea pig for them to learn on. I know mechanical things can break but this is ridiculous IN MY OPINION.