Key fob ?

[Viejajefita]

Tried to start this ‘21 I’m thinking about buying. Got the battery to 100% on the trickle charger. Power on and lights come on but won’t crank. The message on the dash shows a key sign with a ? Underneath it. We swapped batteries, 2032 I believe, and still same results. We also removed the seat and placed fob directly on the circle “doo hickey.” It will click but not turn over. Still has the ? Regarding the fob/key. Anyone experience something similar. I read one thread where it talks about the voltage on the fob. It also claims/recommends you use a proper BMW battery for the fob.

Tia

 

[Rufus]

I replace the fob battery every year for piece of mind really and certainly as soon as the key fob battery warning icon on the dash comes up when it’s power starts to fade, I buy a good brand and swap it out, never had a problem. Some of these tiny fob batteries have a removable clear skin on the underside, did you check if there was one there? They are fiddly to swap out and not pinch between finger and thumb (which i understand can discharge them).

The actual battery on these bikes is huge so it needs to be in good shape to provide the cold cranking amps required. If the bikes not been used for a long time maybe the battery is past saving? Can’t think of any reason why it shouldn’t fire up really.

Sounds like the fob isn’t being recognised by the bike. Never done it but i recall an emergency situation where you can start the bike with the actual key in the ‘doo hickey’ as you call it. Try that

 

[Star-Lord]

The "doo-hickey" is the antenna which communicates between the key fob and ignition-security system.

Maybe check that the antenna and cable is connected and not pinched or damaged; you'll have to trace it out by following the cable routing..

Also, try starting off with the easy steps; replace the fob battery with a known brand i.e. DURACELL.. don't buy or use batteries purchased from AMAZON, which are most likely counterfeit or beyond their shelf life..

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

If its a 2021 with original battery, it may need replacement. I just replaced my 2021 r18 classic stock original battery with a lithium battery. 4 years for the stock agm battery is about the limit. I don't know what the idiot light is trying to tell you.

 

[Viejajefita]

I swapped the fob battery with one from my truck remote. Same model battery. The same error code comes up. A key sign with ?
I put his battery in my truck fob and it worked just fine. Locked and unlocked my truck from 15 yds away.
Is the antenna that circular thing under the seat? We set the fob right on top of it, he had seen the bmw mechanic do that before, still nothing.
I don’t believe there is a way to start it using the key. Correct me if I am wrong but, I think the key is for the gas cap and locking the steering only.

 

[skidward]

 

[skidward]

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

I swapped the fob battery with one from my truck remote. Same model battery. The same error code comes up. A key sign with ?
I put his battery in my truck fob and it worked just fine. Locked and unlocked my truck from 15 yds away.
Is the antenna that circular thing under the seat? We set the fob right on top of it, he had seen the bmw mechanic do that before, still nothing.
I don’t believe there is a way to start it using the key. Correct me if I am wrong but, I think the key is for the gas cap and locking the steering only.

The spare plastic key, if you have it, will allow you start the bike if you get it close to that round antenna under the seat. just get it close, it should recognize it and allow you to press the power button and turn the bike on, then press the electric start button to start. See the plastic key in my pic.

 

[Viejajefita]

If its a 2021 with original battery, it may need replacement. I just replaced my 2021 r18 classic stock original battery with a lithium battery. 4 years for the stock agm battery is about the limit. I don't know what the idiot light is trying to tell you.

I’m not gonna play with it much more. I think it would be wise to get a new battery. Hopefully it’s not to terribly priced model.

 

[Viejajefita]

The spare plastic key, if you have it, will allow you start the bike if you get it close to that round antenna under the seat. just get it close, it should recognize it and allow you to press the power button and turn the bike on, then press the electric start button to start. See the plastic key in my pic.View attachment 19844

I’ll see if he has that key or remembers where it might be. He has all the other Knick knacks that it came with. The big book, hat, belt buckle, badges etc. maybe I get lucky and we find that key somewhere. Thank you, sir.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

I just installed a NOCO NLP30 lithium battery. $199 on Amazon. 700CCA, really powerful and 15 lbs lighter. Amazon says it doesn't fit. NOCO web page says it fits and I can say it fit perfectly and being 15 lbs lighter, was easy to install. But I'm not sure its what your problem needs.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

Tried to start this ‘21 I’m thinking about buying. Got the battery to 100% on the trickle charger. Power on and lights come on but won’t crank. The message on the dash shows a key sign with a ? Underneath it. We swapped batteries, 2032 I believe, and still same results. We also removed the seat and placed fob directly on the circle “doo hickey.” It will click but not turn over. Still has the ? Regarding the fob/key. Anyone experience something similar. I read one thread where it talks about the voltage on the fob. It also claims/recommends you use a proper BMW battery for the fob.

Tia

you should try to jump start it. under right side cover is a terminal just for that purpose. if it works, then its the battery.

 

[DonC]

Tried to start this ‘21 I’m thinking about buying. Got the battery to 100% on the trickle charger. Power on and lights come on but won’t crank. The message on the dash shows a key sign with a ? Underneath it. We swapped batteries, 2032 I believe, and still same results. We also removed the seat and placed fob directly on the circle “doo hickey.” It will click but not turn over. Still has the ? Regarding the fob/key. Anyone experience something similar. I read one thread where it talks about the voltage on the fob. It also claims/recommends you use a proper BMW battery for the fob.

Tia

You need to insert the plastic spare key into the center of the antenna ring - it doesn’t work by being near or lying on the ring like the electronic key fob does. If it starts with that you know it’s a fob issue, if it doesn’t start with the spare key inserted into it then it’s not a fob / battery issue

 

[DonC]

The spare plastic key, if you have it, will allow you start the bike if you get it close to that round antenna under the seat. just get it close, it should recognize it and allow you to press the power button and turn the bike on, then press the electric start button to start. See the plastic key in my pic.View attachment 19844

The spare plastic key has to be inserted into the center of the antenna ring, it isn’t electronic and doesn’t work just being near it, it has to be inserted

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

The spare plastic key has to be inserted into the center of the antenna ring, it isn’t electronic and doesn’t work just being near it, it has to be inserted

I have started my bike using the plastic key without inserting it in that ring . That would require removing the seat. I held the key up under the rear fender, in an indent nearest the ring, touch the power button, it comes on, you can then push the start button and it starts. Sounds awkward but its really pretty easy.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

Tried to start this ‘21 I’m thinking about buying. Got the battery to 100% on the trickle charger. Power on and lights come on but won’t crank. The message on the dash shows a key sign with a ? Underneath it. We swapped batteries, 2032 I believe, and still same results. We also removed the seat and placed fob directly on the circle “doo hickey.” It will click but not turn over. Still has the ? Regarding the fob/key. Anyone experience something similar. I read one thread where it talks about the voltage on the fob. It also claims/recommends you use a proper BMW battery for the fob.

Tia

You can easily jump start the motorcycle. Remove the right side cover, no tools needed. There is a jump start post that is there for that specific purpose. See the large silver torx bolt that sticks out, that is the jump start terminal. Put the red/positive jump start cable there, put the black/negative cable to the frame. If jump starting works, your battery needs replacement.

 

[DonC]

I have started my bike using the plastic key without inserting it in that ring . That would require removing the seat. I held the key up under the rear fender, in an indent nearest the ring, touch the power button, it comes on, you can then push the start button and it starts. Sounds awkward but its really pretty easy.

That’s kinda strange, there’s no electronics in the plastic spare key, it’s supposed to be inserted like a regular key. BTW, the idiot light with the key and question mark means the fob is too far away, there’s a separate light for low battery.

 

[Hammo]

Last service i asked the dealer to check my "emergency" key as i could not get it too operate , in my Classic handbook it shows you insert it into the antenna port , well not on mine you do,nt !!!! there is no port just the antenna , i then asked why the remote signal is not picked up by the bike and was informed it was my seat and you would have to remove it to have the signal picked up , well thats really good if your stuck out in the wilds in the dark , needless to say i was not happy.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

That’s kinda strange, there’s no electronics in the plastic spare key, it’s supposed to be inserted like a regular key. BTW, the idiot light with the key and question mark means the fob is too far away, there’s a separate light for low battery.

I have started my bike using the plastic key without inserting it in that ring . That would require removing the seat. I held the key up under the rear fender, in an indent nearest the ring, touch the power button, it comes on, you can then push the start button and it starts. Sounds awkward but its really pretty easy.

 

[Dpolo1]

Yes it does, no need to insert