Experiencing issues with your 2006 BMW 325xi key fob, especially in cold weather? It’s a common frustration when your key fob becomes unresponsive, failing to lock or unlock your doors reliably. You might even notice your car starting but losing personalized settings like radio presets. Often, the culprit is a depleted key fob battery. Fortunately, replacing the battery in your BMW 325xi key fob is a straightforward DIY task that can save you a trip to the dealership and keep your key working perfectly. This guide will walk you through each step to successfully complete a 2006 Bmw 325xi Key Fob Battery Replacement.
To begin, you’ll need to acquire the correct replacement battery. It’s crucial to note the orientation of the terminals on your old battery before purchasing a new one. The terminals are offset at approximately 90 degrees. You can find the appropriate battery, a VL2020 Lithium Ion battery, from online retailers like eBay.
Refer to this link for battery purchase
Once you have the new battery, the next step is to carefully open your key fob. BMW key fobs are typically sealed with glue, requiring a bit of patience and caution.
Using a sharp X-acto knife, gently begin to cut along the seam of the key fob. It’s important to proceed slowly and avoid cutting too deeply. Cutting too forcefully can damage the internal circuit board (PCB), so take your time to gradually separate the two halves of the fob.
With the key fob open, you’ll need to remove the old battery. To do this safely, use a non-metallic pry tool. A credit card or a plastic spudger works well to avoid short-circuiting or damaging the components.
Carefully insert your pry tool under the edge of the battery to apply slight upward pressure. Focus on the corner terminal first as it’s easier to access. Once you have a little tension, use a soldering iron to desolder the corner terminal of the old battery. Desoldering the corner terminal first is recommended because the middle terminal’s lead is longer and less accessible initially.
Now it’s time to install the new VL2020 battery. Align the new battery with the holes on the PCB, ensuring the correct terminal orientation. Hold the PCB firmly by its edges and gently push the new battery into place.
Apply heat with your soldering iron to the middle terminal first, then to the corner terminal. The heat will melt the existing solder, allowing the new battery terminals to slide into their correct positions and create a secure connection.
Before sealing the key fob, it’s wise to test if the replacement was successful. Dry fit the PCB back into the key fob housing and test the key’s functions – locking, unlocking, and starting your BMW 325xi. If everything is working as expected, congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your 2006 BMW 325xi key fob battery replacement.
Finally, you need to close the key fob. You have a couple of options here. For a pristine finish, you can purchase a new key fob housing. Alternatively, if you prioritize functionality over aesthetics, you can simply glue the original housing back together. If you choose to glue it, use a gel-type cyanoacrylate glue sparingly. Gel glue is less likely to run and minimizes the risk of accidentally gluing the PCB to the housing. Apply a small amount along the seam and carefully press the two halves of the key fob together until the glue sets.
With the fob reassembled, your 2006 BMW 325xi key fob should be working reliably again, even in cold temperatures. Enjoy the restored convenience and the satisfaction of a successful DIY repair!
