Does anyone know for a fact if the key reader that the dealership uses can send information to the key. I know that it can take info from the key but I need to know if it can also send to the key. I was having no problems with my mini before I took it in to have the service codes read off of the key and now I am having a ton of issues with the door locks and windows which both can be controlled by the key fob. I mean the first time I put the key back into the car after having codes read the problems were there. Also has anyone heard of the key reader possibly causing damage to the key if it cannot in fact send a signal to the key?

Thanks

 

I have never heard of that before.

 

Describe "problems". It may have cleared your personal entries, sent it back to default. You will have to reprogram all your settings with the key in the ignition.
It is a pain, but it could happen just because it is electronic and it felt like it. Mine hasn't done it, but I have grabbed the wifes key and wondered what was going on.

Hope it isn't anything dastardly.

 

Nope. Key Reader does nothing but soak in information. Communication is as limited to a drunk friend who just had female leave him. Sits there quietly listening, and only nods- nothing is impossible though. I would call the dealer and have them fix your problem.


Wait. What exactly is the problem? What else did the dealer do?

 

I wonder if they disconnected the battery for some reason or used the spare key (assuming it didn't have your current settings)?

 

All the dealer did was take the key and read the codes off of it. It turned out to just be routine maintenance code. They left it in the key reader for about 20 min while I looked around the lot and as soon as i got back in the car I had problems. My other post describes the problems but basically whenever I get out of the car and close the door the windows roll down, key fob will not lock the doors, using the key manually will lock the doors untill key is removed and then the car unlocks itself. Even when driving the car the door lock switch will not lock the car. I had none of these problems at all before I took it in to have the key read and they didnt even touch the car. I believe in coincidences but all of the problems I am having are with things that can be operated by the key ... they had the key ... now things are all screwed up. Seems like kind of a long shot that the exact time that I am at the dealership these problems just arive out of nowhere. They also have no idea what is wrong with the car, they "think" that its the door lock switch panel that they will replace for $750 or the module that controlls all of that which they can replace for for only $2500.

 

What year is your car? Does it have comfort access?

The Key does "learn" preferences, so I'd say it is possible for the key reader to change the stored preferences, or go back to the defaults.

Can the key be progammed back to where it was again?

What year is the car?

 

The car is a 2007 and yes it has the comfort access. But it seems like the problem is not only in the key now. Where initially when i got out and hit the lock button and the windows would roll down, now its whenever I get out and close the door the windows roll down without pushing anything on the key. ALso when inside the car with it running the lock button will work once but it unlocks itself and then the lock button will no longer work at all.

 

From an electronics standpoint, it would seem that there is a short somewhere in the door/window assembly. However, since there are two key fobs, can you confirm that your issues only occur with one of the two key fobs?

I don't think the dealer could have loaded codes onto the key fob that would cause this wacky behaviour, unless their key reader is also corrupted in some way.

 

I only have one key, i bought it used and only came with one.

 

Sounds like the dealer did something to the car. I'd take it back and demonstrate the new problems and see if they have a clue. They could have reset something or messed with the car and not told you.

 

Okay. Were there any other settings that changed after you had the codes read? Settings as in the personal settings that are set on each individual key. If so, it could just be the key fob that needs re-programming. If not, it would help narrow it down to a specific interaction between the key and the door lock/window assembly.

 

I didnt notice any other settings changes, what other kinds of setting would change if it were the key? Since I only have one key im not exactly sure what all settings would be changed by entering a different key

 

Things that you would set in the menus activated by the "BC" button on the end of your turn signal stalk. Number of turn signal blinks for a lane change, activating daytime running lights, pathway lighting, etc. I'm looking at page 56 of the 2007 MCS manual.

 

I'm thinking they're going to have to reload the programming into your car - more than a few people have had to do this, especially with wacky window problems.

You'll get the latest and greatest updates then too...

 

Would a programming problem also explain why the doors will not lock using the manual key or why the door lock switch on the dash will not work?