BMW 5-Series Key Fob Battery Remote Replacement E39, E60, F10, G30 (1995 – 2019)

Whether you are familiar with cars or not, I bet you must have heard the vehicle name “BMW.”

There are different sets and types of BMWs. The BMW 5-Series has been around for a long time and serves as the company’s mid-range sedan. It has every major key fob variety that BMW has ever made available.

Understandably, changing the BMW 5-series key battery could be difficult if you have an older key fob model, luckily, it’s a breeze with the current types.

This post broadly explains all about the BMW 5-series key fob battery replacement in every model. Keep reading to discover more!

For other models, see the all BMW Key Fob Batteries page.

Jump to Year: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
2018, 2019

Model	Trims	Years	Key Fob Type	SubType	Rechargeable? Ease of change	Battery	Buy
E39 5 Series	520i, 523i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 540i, M5, 520d, 525d, 525td, 525tds, 530d	1995-2003	Diamond Shaped Key		Yes, Requires solder, soldering gun, and rechargeable battery with legs to replace	VL 2020 3v	Check on Amazon
E60 5 Series	520i, 523i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 540i, 545i, 550i, M5, 520d, 525d FE, 525d, 530d, 535d	2003-2006	Diamond Shaped Key		Yes, Requires solder, soldering gun, and rechargeable battery with legs to replace	VL 2020 3v	Check on Amazon
E60 5 Series	520i, 523i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 540i, 545i, 550i, M5, 520d, 525d FE, 525d, 530d, 535d	2007-2010	Rectangular Shaped Key	Comfort Access	No. Easy to change battery	CR2032	Check on Amazon
E60 5 Series	520i, 523i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 540i, 545i, 550i, M5, 520d, 525d FE, 525d, 530d, 535d	2007-2010	Rectangular Shaped Key	Non Comfort Access	Yes, Requires solder, soldering gun, and rechargeable battery with legs to replace	VL 2020 3v	Check on Amazon
F10 5 Series	520i, 523i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 550i, M5, ActiveHybrid 5, 518d, 520d, 525d, 530d, 535d, M550d xDrive	2011-2017	Trapezoid Shaped Key		No. Easy to change battery	CR2450	Check on Amazon
G30 5 Series	520i, 530i, 530e iPerformance, 540i, M550i xDrive, M5, M5 Competition, 520d, 525d, 530d, 540d xDrive, M550d xDrive	2017, 2018, 2019	Sleek Slant Shaped Key		No. Easy to change battery	CR2032	Check on Amazon
G30 5 Series	520i, 530i, 530e iPerformance, 540i, M550i xDrive, M5, M5 Competition, 520d, 525d, 530d, 540d xDrive, M550d xDrive	2017, 2018, 2019	Display Key		Yes. But larger li-ion battery not available yet	3.7 V, li ion rechargeable polymer battery 1.97 Wh, 535 mah

How To Replace the E39 BMW 5-Series (1995-2003) Key Fob Battery

The E39 and the E60 have a diamond-shaped key fob with a rechargeable internal battery. Scroll down for my video or keep reading for a detailed guide on changing this key fob battery.

For this process you need:

• a VL 2020 battery
• Battery Model: VL2020
• Please compare the leg position carefully, this battery is 90 degrees leg
• it is a Rechargeable battery
• soldering iron
• soldering vacuum
• super glue
• a pair of tweezers
• a box cutter
• a small flathead screwdriver
• solder

Your key is all set!

Check out my video from the 3-series which has the same fob. This is a more advanced replacement and requires some soldering:

How To Replace the E60 Diamond Shaped BMW 5-Series (2003-2006) Key Fob Battery

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide or scroll down for a detailed video on how to change the battery in this key fob.

You will need:

• a CR2450
• a flathead screwdriver

Step 1

Flip the key to the back. Press the small button behind the key and pop out the valet key.

Step 2

Check for a little tab beside the valet keyhole. Found it? Now push the tab with a small flathead screwdriver, and the battery cover will come off.

Step 3

You’d have access to the battery as soon as the cover comes off. Use the same flathead screwdriver to pop out the old battery gently.

Step 4

Install the new battery into the battery hole with the positive side(the part with texts) facing up.

Step 5

Replace the battery cover and the valet key.

That’s it! Locking and unlocking your car can now be as seamless as before.

Again the diamond key is used in the E60:

How To Replace the E60 Comfort Access BMW 5 Series (2007-2010) Key Fob Battery

Battery: CR2032
Fob Type: Comfort Access

Scroll down for a video or keep reading to learn how to change the battery in this fob key.

You will need:

• a CR 2032 battery
• a small flathead screwdriver

Step1

Press the button on top of the key and pull out your valet key. Removing the valet key will give access to a small little hole at the center above the fob key.

Step 2

Now use a flat head screwdriver to slowly pry into the hole and the battery cover will come off. You’d have access to the dead battery as soon as the battery cover opens up.

Step 3

Press down on the dead battery with your finger to remove the old one. Place the new battery in and press it lightly to ensure it stays in place.

Step 4

Now replace the battery cover and the valet key.

Your key is all set! You’ve just performed a BMW 5 series key fob battery replacement like a pro.

This is my video showing you how to replace the comfort access version of the 5-series key fob:

How To Replace the E60 Non Comfort Access BMW 5 Series (2007-2010) Key Fob Battery

Battery: VL2020
Fob Type: Non-Comfort Access

Scroll down for a video, or keep reading to see the step-by-step guide on BMW 5-series key fob battery replacement.

You will need:

• a VL2020 battery

• Battery Model: VL2020
• Please compare the leg position carefully,this battery is 90 degrees leg
• it is a Rechargeable battery
• box cutter
• solder
• soldering iron
• soldering vacuum
• super glue
• a pair of tweezers
• solder

Step 1

Gently pull out the valet key. Now use a box cutter to cut around the line at the center of the key until you have enough space for a screwdriver.

Step 2 

Then insert a flathead screwdriver into the small hole you created and twist until the fob key comes apart in two halves. The fob key will open up to reveal a circuit board.

Step 3

The battery is attached to the circuit board by two solder points called the “legs.” Make sure you get a battery that the legs are offset ninety degrees.  You have to desolder the legs with a soldering iron and a vacuum.

Step 4 

Melt the solder and suck it up immediately with the soldering vacuum. Repeat this process until you successfully get the entire “legs” out.

Step 5 

After desoldering, use a pair of tweezers to remove the old battery from the circuit board carefully.

Step 6 

Now install the new battery. The new battery should have two “legs” and be offset 90 degrees. Fix the new battery with the legs of the battery properly fit into the solder points on the circuit board. You can use a battery with a single leg just make sure it fits properly into one of the solder points on the board.

Step 7 

Now resolder the “legs” back into place. All you have to do is solder a little solder on the connection point on the circuit board with a solder and soldering iron.

Step 8

Replace the circuit board into the back casing properly, with the back of the board facing the fob key casing; the battery should be facing you.

Step 9

Put super glue on the edge of the fob keys and return the two halves into place.

Here’s a video on how to replace the VL2020 non-comfort access key battery:

How To Replace the F25 F10 BMW 5-Series (2011-2017) Key Fob Battery

Scroll down for a video, or keep reading to learn how to change the battery in this fob key.

All you need here is:

• a CR2450 battery

Step 1

Flip the key to the back. Press the compression button behind the key and pull out the valet key.

Step 2

Insert the valet key into the first hole above the long side of the key. Use the valet key to pop off the back cover. You’d have access to the old battery as soon as you pop off the cover,

Step 3

Now use a small flathead screwdriver to pop out the dead battery. Fix in the new battery with the positive side facing you. Note that the positive side is the part with texts.

Step 4

Replace the battery cover and pop the valet key back in.

Your fob key is as good as new!

Here is a video on how to replace the key fob battery for the BMW 5-Series 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Models for the Trapezoid Shaped Key that takes the CR 2450 battery:

How To Replace the F25 G30 BMW 5 Series (2018-2019) Key Fob Battery

If you don’t have the new fancy display key, replacing the battery on a modern 5 series BMW is pretty simple. Scroll down for a video, or keep reading for a step-by-step guide on this BMW 5-series key fob battery replacement.

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You will need:

• a CR2032 battery
• a small flathead screwdriver

Step 1

Press down the button on the side of the fob key and pull out the valet key.

Step 2

Check beside the fob keyhole for small indentation lines. Now place a flathead screwdriver into the line and slightly twist it to pop the battery cover off.

Step 3

You can access the battery as soon as the back casing is off. Remove the old battery by gently popping it out with a small flathead screwdriver.

Step 4

Put the unused battery into the battery hole with the positive side(the part with letterings) facing up.

Step 5

Replace the battery cover by fixing the lower curvy side first; the rest will sit right in place. Finally, return the valet key; your fob key is as good as new!

Here’s a short video on how to replace the battery in your G30 5 Series:

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of battery does a BMW key fob take?

Battery type needed: CR2032

Replacing the battery in the BMW key fob will require a CR2032 battery for those drivers who have BMW Comfort Access. While those with a non-comfort access key fob will require a VL2020 battery. You can purchase these batteries at good quality guarantee and budget-friendly prices on Amazon.

Can I replace my BMW key battery myself?

Yes, you can. Replacing your BMW key battery is as easy as a few steps. Check this BMW 5-series key fob battery replacement post for your key fob type and all you need to know about replacing the battery.

Conclusion

Fob key remotes use battery power to transmit a wireless signal to your vehicle, allowing you to control it remotely. It’s possible that your key fob won’t let you in the car or allow you to remotely start it if its battery is weak, even though batteries typically last for two to five years. Follow the steps in this post to change your fob key remote battery and avoid the “drama” that can come with a dead key battery.