I recently purchased a Homelink rearview mirror on eBay to replace my original auto-dim mirror. After doing the swap I am having an issue with the car recognizing the key at start up if not inserted in the ignition and the comfort access does not recognize the key at all. In addition, I have to aim the key fob at the windshield in order for the keys to lock/unlock the car. The part I received is the part listed for the Countryman and it was a simple plugin. Any thoughts on what is going on? Does the key just need to be re-synced?

 

The antenna for comfort access and the alarm is in the mirror. You needed to get the one with the correct frequency. (315 Mhz) I think

 

It looks as though all of the Auto-dimming mirrors use the the same frequency. The part number on the mirror that I switched to is the part number listed as an OEM match for the Countryman. I just don't know if MINI has to resync the sensors that are in the mirror to my key fob. Anyone?

 

^^ Not that I know of, I switched from regular auto-dim to homelinke as well, and I didn't have to do anything except program the homelink.

The US spec cars are 315 Mhz
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...26&hg=51&fg=40

The Euro spec cars use 434 Mhz
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...26&hg=51&fg=40

You might have gotten the wrong one

 

Sorry, I didn't think to look at Euro specs. The mirror I received came off a car here in CA. As you can see in the pic below you'll see that the part # corresponds to the US spec. I guess I'll find out from MINI on Friday if the piece I received has an issue. Whatever it is I have to get it fixed because having to take my key out to open my doors and insert into the ignition to start the car is unacceptable. Yes, I have become spoiled over the last 8 months.

 

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51169219374/ Auto dim & home link review mirror

That's what you should have. 315hz

All I can think of , possible its was damaged in some way since its used and maybe from a wreaked MINI?

 

Have you tried unplugging it and plugging it back in? maybe the connection just isn't 100% for some reason...

 

Since we're shotgun troubleshooting here, what you're saying is happening would be occurring with a week FOB battery as well, I think.

 

Not sure, here -- does the homelink mirror need to be coded in the VO string? Your dealer will know and, if it does need to be coded, they can do the job.

Just a thought...

 

^^ No, like I said ours worked and I didn't need to modify the FA in anyway.

 

Unplugged and plugged back in multiple times. No luck. Not getting a low battery warning on my fob or my gf's fob. New wrinkle today. If I place the fob very close to the passenger side door the comfort access will work one out of three times but zero luck on the driver's side. Looks like I'm going to need to take the hour trip down to my dealer to have them look at it. If they do find that the antenna is faulty anyone have a clue on the likelihood that they would swap an OEM mirror out for a new one despite the fact it wasn't on my car originally?

 

First, swap the original mirror back in and verify that comfort access goes back to working normally. You need to confirm that the issue is with the mirror itself and not something else you might have done.

You mean swap it out for free under warranty? Only if they don't notice it wasn't original (and you don't tell them ). Otherwise they have no responsibility for a used part you installed yourself, which came from eBay off of a totalled car.

 

Swapped the original mirror back in and back to normal. It definitely has something to do with the mirror. I know that they have no responsibility to do so but I figure if I wish for it enough it will come true. Starting to look like my "bargain" mirrror will cost me more in the long run.

 

cbryantnyc,
Compare your old and new harness!!

I had a similar if not the exact problem, I have a 2012 Cooper Goodwood John Works that did not have homelink go figure... I bought a homelink mirror from a 2011 Cooper S and long story short had to use the harness from my car because it has an extra wire (pinkish in color) that the mirror I bought did not have. This meant I had to splice in to my existing harness to add the two wires needed for the homelink. Everything else was plug and play after that.

 

Chris Ware,
Funny you posted this bc my dealer is saying I don't have the additional wires coming from the headliner to support the homelink/comfort access. I don't really understand that logic when the homelink is working and the comfort access is working in batches. Plus my understanding was all minis setup with auto-dimming mirrors could handle the additional homelink feature. Thoughts?

 

To the guys that successfully added the homelink mirror, do you also have comfort access? Dealer is wondering if the coding is different for those that have both.

 

This might help, look like people did the same thing on the R56.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...omelink-2.html

 

There are no extra wires from the headliner, they are splicing and using the existing red and brown wires from your harness. It is all handled in the harness. I would first make sure the harnesses are identical with the exception of the two homelink wires that you won't have on your existing and then if all else fails transfer the antenna from the existing mirror to the one with home link. Again making sure that the connections are the same. I transferred everything because I had the wrong mount but that is just me.