Causes of the BMW “Remote Key Not Detected” Message

If your BMW does not want to start, and you get the “BMW remote key not detected” message, it means your BMW is not receiving a signal from the key. If you get that message, chances are one of the following events occurred:

  1. Keyless operation system is damaged
  2. Your key fob is damaged – BMW key fob water damage is a real possibility
  3. You have just changed key fob battery, and the key fob needs to be reprogrammed
  4. Fob battery is dead
  5. Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) problem – this unit controls most of BMW’s electrical components. Hardware damage or damaged/outdated software could trigger Remote Key Not Detected message.
  6. Sounds silly, but sometimes we just grab the wrong key fob – if you own more than one BMW, it can happen.

At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we are intimately familiar with BMW vehicles, and can identify the root cause of the BMW Remote Key Not Detected message, fix the problem, and get you back on the road. So if your BMW will not start, and won’t even detect the key, give us a call at the shop. Alternatively, you can make an appointment online, on our website.

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