I've been lurking around here, great forum but could not find an answer to this question. I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S that I bought used this past year and the keyless entry has never worked. I replaced the battery but still nothing. I talked to the local mini dealer and he said that I would have to reinitialize the key and it but I do not have the bar code to the key. I went to order a new key and the parts guy said the key might not be the problem but it could be some other things. To diagnose it would cost me a hundred dollars. My question is what other problems could it be besides the actual key, and is there anyway I could narrow down the problem ( I don't want to pay $100 to find out I just need a new key or pay $250 to find out its not the key) before ordering another key. Thanks in advance

 

I am definately not an expert, but does the key work for anything (does it pop the hatch, and if you hold the unlock button, does to roll down the windows, etc.)?

If it does do those things, then my money would be on it having to do with the locks, not the key. If it doesn't, then i'd bet it's the key. But I am no professional, so that's just my logic.

 

Also, there has to be a wireless device on the vehicle to pickup the signal, that might be why they want to diagnose the issue. Not sure where that is on the car though, assume somewhere on top of the dash though. Have you tried using the key button when as close to the car as possible? Is there a fuse for the wireless pickup on the car? How does the cars system send the signal thru its wiring to unlock the car? There are lots of questions to answer before replacing parts, especially expensive parts.

 

My keyless entry never works at Autozone, but only at Autozone, it works everywhere else. I think they have a dampening field set up there... perhaps to conceal a secret military installation.

 

Thanks for the replies, Yes it will roll down the windows and it will unlock the hatch

 

Did you get this sorted? The keyless control is up near your clock. I had to have the clock removed to get to it. Mice had eaten things behind the headliner. The dealer fixed a few wires and it works again.
Good luck.

 

my key got to where i had to be real close then stopped doing anything..i assumed the battery is dead...got a new one today after not worrying about it for about a month and now with a new baterry it still wont work...Is there a way to fix it or am i stuck having to go to a dealer? I'd thik you wouldnt need to recode it everytime you replace the baterry?

 

Lock actuators inside the door, they tend to go bad. My drivers side door only has gone out, it still unlocks if u put it in and turn right? I heard its a real pain in the *** to replace them yourselves, and cost an arm and a leg from the dealer. Someone on here has the part number if you want it to order it ask around. Let us know what happens!

 

Not sure about the MINI, but I had a BMW that the keyless entry stopped working after changing the battery. I finally found info on reprogramming it which worked.

 

I changed the vehicle battery and now the key that had always worked stopped functioning. The second key, works fine. It is improbable that the battery in the key died at the same time as the vehicle battery.
I've heard that there is a way to reininitiliaze the key, but haven't found the process. BTW, my car is a 2004 model, if that helps.

Thanks,
Jon

 

Here is the procedure I used on my '01 Z3. Don't know if MINI is the same, but its easy to try.




1. close all doors and have all keys available
2. using key no.1 turn ignition switch on. within 5 seconds switch ignition off and remove key from ignition
3. within 30 seconds of turning switch off, press and hold unlock button
4. while continuing to hold unlock button, quickly press and release lock button three times within 10 seconds
5. release unlock button
6. if initialization was successful, all locks will be activated and released in rapid succession. if the led continues to flash or if the locking system fails to respond, repeat the procedure

 

It sounds like the actuator - if your key still works for the windows and boot. Look under stock problems/issues for a thread on replacing the actuator - not real difficult - takes about an hour and a half, and about $140 of your dollars for a new drivers side actuator - passenger side may be less I don't know.