The key was too clumsy on my keychain, so I made
it smaller. Make the key smaller

 

How far away can you hold the fob and still allow the car to start?

 

The dealer uses your key at services. They have a "key reader" that they insert your key into and it tells them a bunch of info about your car. Won't this screw it up?????

Why would you do such a thing????

 

>>How far away can you hold the fob and still allow the car to start?

Not very far. Maybe 1 or 1.5 Inches.

 

>>The dealer uses your key at services.

Are you sure, or is this a guess.

>>They have a "key reader" that they insert your key into and it tells
>>them a bunch of info about your car. Won't this screw it up?

I didn't give them this key anyway. I gave them the valet key.

>>Why would you do such a thing?

Because the old key is HUGE and un MINI-like.

I am going to mold a small "head" on the key and put the chip
in it so I can have a normal-size key.

 

Dude,

What's the point? Ya still need the fob to lock/unlock the car, and now you have the additional weight of the key-ring and assorted other keys to swing from that old ignition perch. Seems a bit senseless to me. But then again, I'm not into body piercing.

 

>>Ya still need the fob to lock/unlock the car

No I don't. The key works just fine to lock and unlock the car :smile:

I am going to make a small "head" for the key with just
the chip in it so it will look and act like a normal key.

The old one was just to clumsy and not MINI enough for me.

And I do like the HP gain! I'll post dyno charts later.

 

Post a pic of the finished product, We'll trust you on the dyno results. :smile:

 

Wow thats the dumbest mod Ive ever seen!

 

Well I don't think it's a dumb mod! It's not quite as finished a product as it might be...and I'm personally not into sawing apart my key...but it does solve the big old goofy clown key problem. I think the MINI key can use some design work. This is a step in the right direction. :smile:

Having the fob on the keychain is sort of like the Exxon/Mobil Speedypass. Works for me.

Too bad the range is only a couple of inches. Otherwise, you could wear it as jewelry (earring, nose/navel piercing, neck chain, etc.)

 

>>>>The dealer uses your key at services.
>>
>>Are you sure, or is this a guess.
>>


I'm sure. I saw them do it. I gave the guy my key and he put it in the reader. In about 5 secs he knew my exact mileage and that my airbag light was lit!

 

>>I'm sure. I saw them do it. I gave the guy my key and he put it in the reader.
>>In about 5 secs he knew my exact mileage and that my airbag light was lit!

Ok, at first, I thought "That's total B.S."

BUT, the chip in the key is a Philips PCF7930AS which DOES have
a read/write function!

So I guess I'll have to make sure and start the car with the valet
key when I take it to the dealer.

I'm due for a service, so I'll let you know.

Cool. Thanks for the push.
Philips ID Chip page.

 

I just got back from the dyno machine, and this thing ROCKS!!!

Man, the power comes on right around 3000 RPM, and
PPPUUULLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSS like a goat.

This has GOT to be the best HP-gain-per-dollar mod out there.

 

Ouch!!!

 

That's a trip Trippy. Yea, smallest car on the road with the biggest key.

Can you integrate the key ring or small wire back into the remote so it will act like an antenna as the key probably did?

 

Interesting. I don't care enough to chop up my key, but yeah, the MINI key is stupidly large. If the fob still worked to unlock the car from a distance, this would be pretty cool.

I don't know what my problem is. I've never had a car with remote opening before, and now I'm addicted to the stupid button. I bet I use it 3 times out of four.

 

humm, i really don't find any problem with the size of the mini remote control key, except it would be nice if it has some kind of LED to indicate u have pressed a button, and a extra button to open the boot, but the size i am fine with (the bmw 3series my mum has has about the same key size, a bit bigger i think , but then this is a mini )

i've seen my freind's WRX remote control key.
now i call that HUGE!

 

Trippy-
Thanks for the pictures of the inside of the key and it's guts. Neat.
How did you think of doing this? Too much extra time on your hands?
Weren't you afraid of breaking anything of did you already know what was inside?
With the cost of the key so high I would be afraid to take it apart.
Gusty- thanks for doing it.
Also neat emblem on that custom shifter of yours- really nice job. Very cool

 

Not so fast on that mod. guys 'n gals...

I don't think anyone mentioned (or he realizes) that he may have cut off his transmitting antenna by doing this. I believe they may use the metal in the key as the remote transmitting antenna for the remote door/keylock/window opener... No antenna = no range...

Although it doesn't look like there is a direct electrical connection to the metal part of the key, there doesn't have to be. They could be using inductive/capacitive coupling just like those cell antennas you stick on the outside of your windshield that have the wires on the inside of your windshield. The cell antenna uses this principle and the Mini key may also. It does look like there is a zigzag strip of printed circuit print on the circuit board in this area. Depending on the operating frequency, this could be a tuned circuit on the circuit board that couples to the metal in the key.

To confimr this I'd like to see a distance comparison between a stock key and the cut-off key. That would decide it---before we all go cutting up our keys...
Maybe he'll post one (more truthful than that cute dyno fun!).

BTW, the key may still work at VERY close range, but that sucks.
I like to have my windows and sunroof opening ahead of time, as I walk up to the car---not while I stand there waiting.

This feature alone is worth keeping it stock.
So I'll live with the stocker, thanks.

The "Y"

 

Trippy,

I like it!! I am still kind of hesitant to do this to my key though... I guess you could buy a spare key and do this to it..

Have you guys seen the key/remote for Audi? Its the size of a matchbox approx. and when you press a button on it, the key flicks out. Key portion is the same cut as MINI.. I wonder if you could buy one of these and replace the key and transmitter innards with the mini ones??

 

>>Trippy,
>>
>>I like it!! I am still kind of hesitant to do this to my key though... I guess you could buy a spare key and do this to it..
>>
>>Have you guys seen the key/remote for Audi? Its the size of a matchbox approx. and when you press a button on it, the key flicks out. Key portion is the same cut as MINI.. I wonder if you could buy one of these and replace the key and transmitter innards with the mini ones??


VW keys have the flip out "switchblade" style as well.

 

>>To confimr this I'd like to see a distance comparison between a stock key and the cut-off key.

But I don't HAVE a stock key anymore :smile:

Here's what I did:

- Car sitting in garage.
- Start at rear bumper facing out.
- Take 10 paces. Lock, Unlock no problems
- At 20 paces. Lock, Unlock no problems
- At 30 Paces. I need to "aim" the fob. Some orientations work, others don't.
- At 40 Paces. I need to "aim" the fob. Some orientations work, others don't. Mostly don't
- At 50 paces I can't get it to work at all.

So what are your ranges?

And I never used my remote, so I wasn't worried about it.
I plan on taking the ID chip out and making a small head for my key.

DON'T DO THIS MOD IF YOU WANT TO USE THE REMOTE FOR SURE.
(Careful kids, you could ruin a $125 key)

 

>>Weren't you afraid of breaking anything of did you already
>>know what was inside? With the cost of the key so high I
>>would be afraid to take it apart. Gusty

Well, not TOO gutsy.

You can take yours apart also. Just use a screwdriver. The back
just pops on and off. You'll eventually need to change the battery.

 

if you hold the unlock button down, the trunk will open automatically...

:smile:

=D=

 

>> it would be nice if it has some kind of LED to indicate u have pressed a button,

It DOES have an LED that blinks red when you push a button.

It's just INSIDE the black case.

Hey, MINI USA, do the Europeans get remote-blinking lights, and we don't???

Let's start a petition drive. :smile: