[F10_eddie]

Car info: 2014 550i (sedan) f10
Soft close door option
Comfort access

Recently, I noticed when I walk up to my car I hear a constant unlocking over and over, I then have limited use of my key fob, (unlock and lock won't work up close) then it works after a couple tries..
I then can use comfort access, but sounds like a constant unlocking (like someone is grabbing a handle over and over) anyone have this issue ?

Also I quite frequently get (remote not detected) and (place key on steering column) messages.. other times it works (rarely)

Scanned the car and no codes (BimmerLink)

Should I try and code off comfort access and see if that changes things ?

[top ramen]

Your comfort access door handle is bad. Sooner or later it will start to drain your battery. To find out the door handle that is bad, lock your door with your key fob while standing infront or behind the car about 6-8 ft away. Wait 15-20 seconds before approaching your car. Slowly walk the length of each side of your car with your key fob in your pocket with a distance of 2-3ft from the car. Once you get to the defected door handle comfort access would automatically unlock the door without you touching it. Also a another way to check is feeling the door handle, the defective one would feel a tad hotter from the others.

[Fro826]

OP, I have a 2011 550i and have had this exact problem off and on for as long as I've owned it (bought used in fall 2017). DRIVES ME NUTS because I don't know when it's gonna happen. I also scanned the car, no codes. And I have the "battery drain while parked" message in iDrive if I don't drive the car for a few days - I just put a new battery in it because this battery msg issue has been happening for at least a year (battery was 5 years old so prolly about time anyway). I am going to try your idea top ramen, will report back the results, thank you very much for this t-shooting tip!

Update 13APR: I did the "walk by" test and it seemed as though the driver rear door handle was the culprit since the doors unlocked when I walked by that one. So, I found a used one online for $100 in the color I needed. When it arrived, I found that they sent me the driver front handle not driver rear. But, since it was my front that was acting up by not allowing me to lock the car, I decided to just install the front that they sent me. Low and behold the whole system is working the way it's supposed to now. Thanks to Top Ramen for the troubleshooting method even though I apparently misread which handle was the unlocking things as I walked by it.

[Dan944]

I had the battery drain issue and my CA would sometimes not work on my 2012 535xi. I scanned my car with BimmerLink and it told me which handle was bad. I removed the handle and unplugged the comfort access harness just to be sure. The battery drain message went away and was no longer having issues with the other doors. I replaced the handle with a used one and haven't had an issue since.

[OnlyGerman]

Had similar issue, RR door would lock/unlock by itself. I disconnected the plug for CA (very easy) and no more issue.

[VStonkus]

For me it's driver handle can unlock but cannot lock the car and passenger handle cannot lock nor unlock the door. The car is imported from US and first it came with a dead battery and the message "battery drain while parked".

I was trying to find a way to code the handles in esys but were not able to find. Now I think that my both handles are defected - seems like a common issue for these cars and would explain the battery drain.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by VStonkus

I was trying to find a way to code the handles in esys but were not able to find. Now I think that my both handles are defected - seems like a common issue for these cars and would explain the battery drain.

Just an FYI...data from the TIS says that the door handle's electronic's can't be run through the diagnostic system. That's probably why you couldn't find anything about it in Esys.

See page below from the TIS...scroll down to the very bottom where DIAGNOSIS INSTRUCTIONS is highlighted.

[WildWilly1100]

Hi guys, similar issue on my 2014 535i xDrive, drivers door. When we first got the car, all was well, then it became in intermittent problem, but only locking - unlocking has always worked. Now it will not lock at all, use the rear door to lock. My question is this, is it just the actual door handle itself, or do I need the electronics that go with it? Or just the electronics? When looking online for a used one, some are just the handle, some are the whole works. TIA.

[WildWilly1100]

Problem solved... I found a handle on eBay in the correct color, took a gamble and it all worked. Can't believe how easy it is to replace the handle. Took about 5 minutes.

[RJV3]

Question. Looks like you have the msport....does your kick feature trunk release work?

[WildWilly1100]

Originally Posted by RJV3

Question. Looks like you have the msport....does your kick feature trunk release work?

Mine is the M Sport as well and my truck release works fine when running my foot under the rear bumper.

[alpinef10]

Originally Posted by WildWilly1100

Hi guys, similar issue on my 2014 535i xDrive, drivers door. When we first got the car, all was well, then it became in intermittent problem, but only locking - unlocking has always worked. Now it will not lock at all, use the rear door to lock. My question is this, is it just the actual door handle itself, or do I need the electronics that go with it? Or just the electronics? When looking online for a used one, some are just the handle, some are the whole works. TIA.

Hey so I have the same issue, were you able to find out if it's just the door handle or the additional component that it sits on needs replacement too. Appreciate any feedback.

[beegeezy]

Originally Posted by alpinef10

Hey so I have the same issue, were you able to find out if it's just the door handle or the additional component that it sits on needs replacement too. Appreciate any feedback.

Figure out which door handle isn’t working, then remove the door handle and unplug the harness. If the rest of the system works, you’ve isolated the problem.

[WildWilly1100]

Originally Posted by alpinef10

Hey so I have the same issue, were you able to find out if it's just the door handle or the additional component that it sits on needs replacement too. Appreciate any feedback.

I took a chance and ordered a handle from eBay, found one in the right color, which was great. Took about 10 minutes to switch it around and everything worked fine.

[Da Kid]

Hi everyone,

could someone please let me know if this is a stock handle for F11?
shouldn't this metal part be covered like the other handles?

[WildWilly1100]

I think that's correct, as it is the only one that has a key hole. Just checked my 535 and it looks the same.

[ezaircon4jc]

'Tis normal.

[Da Kid]

wow.
thanks guys.

That is one detail I did not expect from BMW

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Da Kid

wow.
thanks guys.

That is one detail I did not expect from BMW

That metal is needed to protect the lock cylinder. If it bothers you that much you can always paint it.

[mtuan15]

This comfort access issue was driving me nuts! Thanks to all in this thread I was able to isolate the bad handle ( driver's as it appears to be the most common ), unplug the cable ( the bigger one ) and calm returned to the car and to my soul. Now I will patiently and happily wait for the handle just ordered from ebay. Cheers!

[razfrankel]

I have an issue with comfort access while my key is in my pocket not unlocking only if I have the key fob out of my pocket then it works. Can you explain to me why this is happening? I changed the Battery last month as well.

[culto]

I had this issue then the comfort access stopped working on a rear door. I ordered a used door handle from a salvage yard on eBay and replaced it myself. If you are going to replace the handle yourself there are videos out there which show you how to do the repair. Please note that you will need a long narrow torque driver (which I did not have). I ordered one from Amazon and did the swap. It was plug and play.