E46 M3 keyless entry issues

[E46 Liam 2]

Hi Guys, So ever since I bought my E46 the Keyless entry has been intermittent at best. Sometimes it works first time other times I can click the damn thing 20 times and nothing will happen. I have brand new batteries in both my remotes and both have the same issue. This is really frustrating and I would really like to fix it.

My thoughts are there is an issue with the receiver in the car possibly? has anyone come across this before or know how to fix it?

Also this is what my keys look like, I don't know if this is a genuine key or an aftermarket one, but I have two which are both like this.

Can anyone shed some light on this problem for me? Cheers.

[Neal 546]

These are the infra red type of keys. With the darker jap glass they work best through side windows or front windscreen. You also need to be in line of site of the clown nose with is the red plastic lenses under your rear view mirror. That is where the infrared receiver is.

[E46 Liam 2]

Oh sweet thanks.

Yea so after realizing that the key needs to see the rear view mirror the keyless entry works first time everytime. Thanks Neil.

Edited December 7, 2013 by E46 Liam

[Haitoman 110]

I'll butt in here as there is something worth saying. I noticed that my e46 M3 key (Not infra-red type) on 433.92MHz works all day every day EXCEPT in the local supermarket carpark and various other places around the Kapiti Coast. I decided to take a radio scanner and check out what was going on. Low and behold it turned out that there was a local radio station repeater or link that covers that UHF frequency...mystery solved.

So, moral of the story...don't always assume that it is the car when the key plays up.