2018 cooper s not seeing key fob (not battery) Advice?

[gareth h]

Does anybody have experience of this? The fob won’t operate the central locking or ignition, unless it’s held up against the receiver on the steering column. Have changed the battery in the fob, and the car battery is showing 12.5v.
TIA
G

[wong]

Check the 'new' key fob battery is OK with a multimeter. It's a CR2032, 3v if I recall correctly.

[gareth h]

wong said:

Check the 'new' key fob battery is OK with a multimeter. It's a CR2032, 3v if I recall correctly.

It’s the same with both keys, so I think it’s car related rather than fob

[den9112]

Is the car a F series 3 or 5 door

[Panamax]

gareth h said:

It s the same with both keys, so I think it s car related rather than fob

Or both batteries are the same age. Always start by checking/changing the batteries (pennies) and work forwards from there.

If you have a decent voltmeter a CR2032 should be showing a little above 3v if it's in good shape and anything down towards 2.7 is well knackered.

[gareth h]

Thanks, all sorted, somebody had put old batteries back in the drawer!

[mike9009]

gareth h said:

Thanks, all sorted, somebody had put old batteries back in the drawer!

I had exactly the same. I put some old batteries on the side to go to recycling up Tesco. Missus decided to put the knackered one back in the drawer...... A couple of years later put the 'new' battery in again......

I will now only use batteries which are in original packaging.....and then I can check the shelf life too