Why is there a cable under the back seat that releases the back hatch?

 

In case you get locked in. It is an emergency release cable for the hatch.

 

Actually it's in case the battery goes dead. The rear latch is electrically actuated. So without the cable, no juice means it's permanently locked. And guess where the battery is in the MCS??

 

Hmmm... I don't spend a lot of time in the back seat and never noticed a cable under the seat to open the boot, could you describe exactly where it is located? I'd look myself but am about 300 miles away from my baby at the moment.

 

I guess you're not currently lovinthecorners?
Lift up back seat
Observe pull ring on center/driver's side

Note that early '02 models did NOT have the emergency release.

 

Thanks Eric, I'll check it out when I'm back in Boston from Philly! I was contemplating making the drive, but traveling by myself the train ride here was very productive and besides there aren't many desirable corners on the Jersey turnpike!

 

Don't pull that ring! Or you'll activate the secret what-ja-ma-bob-it. It'll automatically put a smile on your face!

 

All true...yet the R50 also has this pull cable and doesn't have the funky R53 battery location. Guess MINI thought the Justacoopers might use it for other reasons.

 

ahhhh. Thanks. very much Eric.

 

Yeah - even folks without a battery in the boot might want to get into the boot if the battery dies. Not to mention that it wouldn't be worth the effort to remove that particular part from the manufacturing process.

 

You need it when this happens to you!

 

I see yet another great use for the toggle-switch re-namer kit!

 

When I got my car back a couple months ago, the electronics in the car were all screwed up, and I couldn't open the boot. I read about the ring under the back seat, but when I pulled up the seat, I couldn't find the ring. I'm guessing it slid off into a crevice somewhere?

 

Gosh I love family guy.

 

Nope - the early '02s didn't have the release.

 

Mine doesn't have it and I need it. Is there another way in?

 

I just hooked up a battery booster under the hood and then was able to open boot. The positive battery cable was loose.

 

That's the way to do it.