Changing the battery in a remote key

[wengenstein]

I think it's time to change the battery in my remote key. I've read (on this board and elsewhere) that the process is not as simple as getting a new battery and swapping out the old one. Can anyone tell me what else is involved?...I don't have the owner's manual for my '95 540.

Also, I've read that if the battery is out of the key for any longer than 1 minute you need to reprogram it, is that true? Has anyone tried the remote reprogramming procedure(s) listed on bruno's site?

Thanks,
Dennis

[PhilipJCaputo]

Curious.... do you have a remote and key in one?? or is it a seperate keychain remote?

[David Chen]

Late-model 540s with the EWS-II driveaway protection code have the remote built into the key, a la the E39s -- too bad they don't lower all the windows from the key too.

To change the battery, carefully pry off the back cover and remove the two small Phillips screws. Change the batteries within one minute to avoid reprogramming. It only takes about 5 seconds to remove & replace so 1 minute is plenty.

Cheers,

David