Sunday, I went to start my car (05 S), all the normal displays where dim, and the Mini logo did not pop up on the Nav display, I also noticed that the window did not dip, like it normally does when you open the door. I was able to get a jump start, and all that was needed was to connect the jumpers to another car, and I was able to start mine. Ok, so far that sounds like the battery might be going (it's 4 years old, so I guess it's time ... would also like to know the experience of other 05 S owners for battery life, and what your replaced the original battery with). Ok, now the weird part.... my remote no longer works, I can not lock, nor unlock the doors, I have to use the key the old fashioned way, anyone know why this is? Thanks!

Doug

 

i have had the same thing happen just last week. No dip in windows, no remote locking. Additionally my interior overhead light stayed on and would not go off. I recently replaced my battery. However that was a month or two ago.

 

No one else has an idea?

 

im not offering a concrete solution but my thoughts are that...

the key's internal battery charges from the ignition (right?). I would assume that the keys just need to recharge itself after not being able to draw enough power from your old battery. So get out and drive it more?

 

I know that people have had a lot of strange electrical gremlins when there batteries about to die. Its not just a replace when dead sort of thing. It appears from what I have read to be a matter of a dead cell or two in the battery.

Thats my guess

 

Mine was doing a similar thing and found that the neg cable was loose... my battery died a year later

 

It does sound like the battery from various threads on NAM from people that have had dying batteries. Both our MINIs have the original batteries ('05 MCSa with 43.6k miles, '06 MCS with 47.5 miles). Both cars get driven at least once or twice a week highway for 40 minutes one way in addition to normal around town driving.

 

Definitely the battery. And if you got 4 years out of it you are lucky.

 

Are there similar problems with the software when a battery is disconnected for maintenance and then reconnected?

 

Nope.......just radio settings and clock

 

Is there any success out there, with 'rebooting' the computor by disconnecting the battery for 15-30 minutes then reconnecting the battery?


What is the battery voltage?
Has the OBD II been scanned?

 

I would buy a new MINI battery, start the car and let that key (or both keys) "charge up."