Is there a way to open the trunk with the car turned on? In the morning I'll bring the garbage to the dumpster, but rather then turning off my car I just want to hop out grab it out ot the trunk and then get back in and go. The trunk unlock button doesn't seem to work if its in the ignition.

 

Try the unlock switch on your toggle panel. It looks like a little padlock. . .

 

Just make sure you flip the door unlock toggle first...hop out and open your boot in the usual fashion then get your trash.

Sean

 

The unlock toggle switch unlocks everything - doors, fuel door and boot hatch.

 

thought I tried that. Guess not. Thanks

 

reach under the back seat and find the manual pull for the boot. pull it and it opens........or just hit the unlock switch

 

My unlock toggle switch has stopped working on the boot (after it had to go to the dealer, apparently for some major reprogramming). Is this something I can program, or does the dealer have to do it?

 

I'm pretty sure the dealer will have to do it. Especially since your issue seems to be an actual malfunction. Selective boot unlocking/locking is not a user programmable setting.

Best of luck in getting it resolved.

 

Unless your MINI is an early 2002 S, that doesn't have a manual release . Found out the hard way when my battery died. So was battery so dead it wouldn't take a jump start through the contact points under the bonnet . I was able to get rear seat backs released and ran jumper cable directly to the battery.

 

are you sure? did you look UNDER the rear seat? grab hold of the bench area and jerk it upwards and it realeases. the manual release for the boot should be there. oh and you can jump your car from under the hood too.

edit: found a pic of the r56 manual release:
it's the ring in the center, forward of the seat belt clips

 

I had the bench out at that time and couldn't locate anything that looked like a release handle or labeled as such.

I sent a message to MINI USA and this is the reply I rec'd -

"Originally, there were no plans to retrofit a manual release for the boot on the 2002 MINI, however that was being mulled over. I'd suggest speaking to the folks at your MINI dealer for the most recent information. They would be in the best position to update you on any retrofits that may have been introduced."

I haven't taken the time to try locating the release since.

 

that sux