Recently the keys will not unlock/lock doors or activate the hatch lid. All of the key batteries have been replaced. I did have the drivers outside door handle replaced although that was months ago. Any thoughts - hopefully not another expensive repair. At 11 years old another expensive repair may motivate me to replace the Countryman - NOT with another Mini

 

Do you mean the keys or the fob? I'm getting mixed messages here.


Keys don't have batteries. Fobs do. So....do the KEYS work??? It's just the FOB that does not work?


Fobs don't use the door handle. Keys do. So, again, confused as to whether this is a key issue or a fob issue, which are two totally completely different issues.


More specific information needed.

D

 

Ok - the Key Fobs don’t work - I have 3 of them - again all 3 Key FOB batteries have been replaced and the status of the batteries checked.. I now have found out that the emergency key will also not work - the key within the Key Fob. When trying to use the. emergency key - the actual key from the Key Fob - it will only insert part way - not deep enough to allow the key to turn to unlock the door.. I would guess that this is because of the recent external door handle replacement - something was either not installed correctly or part of the original door handle - the lock cylinder - needed to be reused or whatever

The car has the comfort access package that will allow you to press the small black button on the handle to open the door(s) - that also does not work. After doing some further research several suggestions routinely appear

1. the door handle was not installed properly - apparently there is a wire that needs to be reconnected and an additional wire for the comfort access option - the mechanic - a non Mini mechanic - that worked on the car reported that it was a difficult job - quoted originally about an hour for the job and actually took 4 hrs

2. The receiver antenna has bought the farm

Hopefully this is specific enough?

 

Sounds like two separate issues, though it's possible the botched driver's door handle replacement is affecting the ability for the car to accept the command from the FOB to unlock and the command from the black rubber button to unlock. A fault code reader that can handle MINI/BMW would be helpful. If you have the optional sunroof, good chance you have clogged sunroof drains (if not maintained) and water damage to your Footwell module and/or JBE. Here is text from the R60 training literature:

Central Locking Sequence of Operation
The central locking function continues to be controlled by a number
of control units. This includes the Car Access System 3, the
footwell module and the Junction Box.
The Car Access System 3 receives the signal from the remote
control and checks whether the remote control belongs to the
vehicle. If the check (authentication) is successful, the Car Access
System 3 enables the vehicles locking and unlocking procedure.
The Junction box electronics directly controls the central locking
drive units. A new addition on the R60 are the central locking drive
units for the rear doors, these are also controlled by the Junction
box electronics.
The central locking drive unit in each door consists of two electric
motors and a hall sensor. The footwell module monitors the Hall effect
sensors of all four door switch contacts. When a door is
opened or closed, a change of door switch status takes place.
The change in status is communicated to the footwell module
by a hard wire input then sent over the K-CAN to the JBE.
If the R60 is installed with an alarm system, all four doors are monitored.
The footwell module is also responsible for evaluating the Hall sensors
in the lock cylinder of the driver's door. The changes in status
are communicated over a hard wire to the footwell module and
sent over the K-CAN to the JBE.

And here is some text from the R56 training literature (some is repetitive):
Car Access System 3 (2) evaluates the signal of remote control (1) and requests the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle. Junction box (8) executes the requests.
Lock barrel (10) in the driver's door is responsible for unlocking or locking the driver's
door mechanically. Footwell module (9) evaluates the movement (status of the
microswitches) of the lock barrel.
Note: The status is also used for the anti-theft alarm system or comfort
opening and closing, for example.
The radio signal from the remote control is received by remote control receiver (3) in the
rear-view mirror and the signal is forwarded to Car Access System 3 (2).
After the signal has been successfully checked, the Car Access System 3 issues a
request for control of the central locking. The Car Access System 3 is the master control
unit for the central locking.
Junction box (4) executes the unlocking or locking of the vehicle.
Footwell module (1) evaluates the status of all door contacts (5 and 9). It communicates
the current status on the K-CAN. In this way, for example, the Car Access System 3 is
able to prevent the door from locking while a door is open.
The status of center-lock button (10) is evaluated by Car Access System 3.
Depending on the status, the junction box may be requested to control central locking.
The junction box is responsible for status detection and for controlling the central locking
in the boot lid.
The junction box is also responsible for controlling fuel filler flap (8).
The footwell module evaluates the signals of the microswitches for lock barrel (9) and
sends this information to the junction box on the K-CAN. This information is then forwarded
to the CAS 3.
With this information, the Car Access System 3 knows the status of the door lock in the
driver's door. This is important if a request is issued to unlock or lock the vehicle using the
remote control, for example.
Unlocking/Locking the Vehicle
The central locking system can be activated only when the driver's door is closed.
The vehicle unlocking/locking procedure is initiated by the following system components:
• Remote control/identification transmitter
• Center-lock button
• Mechanical key/spare key
• With Comfort Access
Outside door handle and boot lid push button.
Note: The ID transmitter is integrated with the remote control function.
The ID transmitter is used exclusively for Comfort Access.
The central locking system activates the following system components:
• Central locking, driver's and front passenger's door
• Central locking, fuel tank
• Central locking, boot lid.
The Car Access System 3 is the primary control unit for the central locking. All doors,
the boot lid and the fuel filler flap are integrated into the central locking.
The lock or unlock request is carried through by the junction box.
The footwell module communicates the status of the microswitches of the door
contacts and the lock barrel in the driver's door.
Unlocking
As soon as the unlocking button on the remote control is pressed, the signal is received
by the remote control receiver. The remote control receiver is located in the rearview mirror
and forwards the signal to the Car Access System 3.
In the Car Access System 3, the signal from the remote control is verified. If the signal is
detected as being valid, the junction box is authorized to unlock the central locking drives.
The junction box now controls the relays and triggers the unlocking of the vehicle.
Locking
The vehicle can only be locked once the footwell module has evaluated the door contacts
and the Car Access System 3 has reported that the doors are closed.
The further signal progression for locking the vehicle corresponds analogously to the signal
progression of the unlocking procedure.
On US vehicles, the doors are not centrally double-locked but, if a DWA (anti-theft alarm
system) is fitted, the vehicle is primed when locked by the key, door lock or CA
microswitch operating points.
The vehicle can be unlocked from the inside at any time using the door handles.
Note: If the signal was issued by the remote control, door lock or the CA locking
microswitch, it is not possible to unlock the vehicle using the centerlock
button.

 

Okay...good information to have. Can we assume that at least one or all of the Fobs (leaving the word "key" out on purpose as to not create confusion) worked at one time? If so, did you change anything (repairs, parts) to CAUSE the Fobs to stop working?? OR...did they just suddenly stop working for no reason?


To keep things clear, let's just call the "emergency key" a "key." And the remote fob is the unit with a battery.



Okay...good information to have. But I'm still in the dark as to whether replacement door handle has/had anything to do with the FOBS not working. Without a timeline and full understanding of what happened and when, it's impossible to troubleshoot. Clearly, the key not inserting is a misinstallation issue. This seems like a no-brainer that your Mini needs to go back to the mechanic who misinstalled the door handle.



Clearly, the replacement handle was misinstalled. Is there any reason you haven't gone back to the installer to have him correct the issue clearly caused by the replacement handle??



Well, I hate to be Mr. Obvious here, but clearly this guy is responsible for the door handle not working and is legally obligated to correct the repair. Is there any reason you haven't pursued this avenue?




The receiver antenna is in the rear-view mirror. Has the rear-view mirror been damaged or replaced?


Close. I still don't know if the Fob stopped working at the same time the handle was installed. This is a BIG piece of the pie.

D