Comfort Access issue ...

ky10fiddy · #1 09-29-2009, 08:41 AM

Hey guys,

So I just picked up a beautiful 2007 MCS with 22,000 miles. The thing is immaculate, and after some VIN research with Mini USA, I determined that it had all four major packages (premium, cold, convenience and sport).

Obviously, Comfort Access is part of the convenience package, as I have the fob with the removable battery and the black buttons on the door. Unfortunately, these buttons don't do anything when I press them (whether I press them firmly or softly, momentarily or for a few seconds). I also can't start the car unless the fob is in the slot. Keep in mind everything else with the fob and car seems to work exactly as it should. Also worth noting that the car only came with one key fob.

I searched on the forums and it seems like this is just a key fob reprogramming issue with the dealer, correct? Anyone had their Comfort Access go out and had it fixed? If so, how long will the reprogramming take, and it should be covered under warranty, yes?

Thanks in advance for any advice! It's not like the Comfort Access is a huge deal, but if I have it, I certainly want to be able to use it.

markusw · #2 09-29-2009, 09:09 AM

The battery could be weak or dead. Do the buttons on your key fob work?

Alto Clef · #3 09-29-2009, 09:25 AM

There are actually two batteries in the fob, one of which needs to be charged periodically (every few months, apparently) by placing the fob in its dock on the dash for some time. Take a long drive with it there, and see if that makes a difference. Perhaps someone knows what a normal recharge time would be?

ky10fiddy · #4 09-29-2009, 09:42 AM

The buttons all work on the fob just fine. It's only the comfort access feature that's out.

And I checked the removable battery in the fob already. Replaced it with a new one, and no difference.

I didn't realize the fob had two batteries in it. I'll see if through normal use over the next week or two, the second battery charges itself up. Maybe that's it. And yes, if anyone knows what the charge time for this internal fob battery is, that would be very helpful. I've driven the car quite a bit over the past few days, but it's been a lot of short drives, showing it off to friends and family. So the fob has only been in the slot for about a half an hour at a time for any given drive.

Any additional advice on this issue would be totally appreciated. I'd really like to avoid a 200-mile roundtrip trip to the Cincy dealer if at all possible..thanks!

OWG · #5 09-29-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alto Clef

There are actually two batteries in the fob, one of which needs to be charged periodically (every few months, apparently) by placing the fob in its dock on the dash for some time. Take a long drive with it there, and see if that makes a difference. Perhaps someone knows what a normal recharge time would be?

The CA fob does not have a rechargeable battery. If you flip it over there are no contacts like the standard fob uses for charging.

**RJKimbell** · #6 09-29-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OWG

The CA fob does not have a rechargeable battery. If you flip it over there are no contacts like the standard fob uses for charging.

OWG sorry, but you need to re-check your sources. The Comfort Access FOB does indeed have a Rechargeable Battery.

Non-comformt access FOBs must be used consistently to start the car and by it being in the docking station it recharges the battery.

markusw · #7 09-29-2009, 11:38 AM

I can not find charging contacts on my key fob, it is possible that the CA key fobs are charged wirelessly.

OWG · #8 09-29-2009, 11:51 AM

RJ - is the owners manual authoritative enough?

ky10fiddy · #9 09-29-2009, 01:07 PM

Thanks, OWG. I saw that same thing in the owner's manual. It's why I (apparently correctly) thought the removable battery was the only battery in the CA key fob. Like I said, I've replaced that battery with a brand new one, so that's one factor eliminated.

I've set up an appointment with the nearest dealer to take a look at the problem in a couple of weeks. He wouldn't say yes or no on the phone with me when asked if it was just a reprogramming job with the key fob. He said he needed to see the car and fob first.

But I've read on this forum that getting a dealer to reprogram the fob to activate the CA feature is possible. We'll see what happens. If anyone has any experience with this, lemme know.

**RJKimbell** · #10 09-29-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OWG

RJ - is the owners manual authoritative enough?

This is page 18 of the '08 MINI Cooper Clubman Manual...you should be looking at pages 26-27 of the same manual.

OWG · #11 09-29-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJKimbell

This is page 18 of the '08 MINI Cooper Clubman Manual...you should be looking at pages 26-27 of the same manual.

That is page 26. Page 18 covers the onboard monitor.
I would draw your attention to the sentence "In vehicles equipped with convent access* the remote control contains a replaceable battery, page 34" (emphasis mine).