So the drivers side door on my brother's mini no longer unlocks when you hit the unlock on the key fob, the passenger door unlocks, but the drivers side just makes a momentary wirrrr like its trying to do something but nothing happens, and it has to be unlocked with the key. It locks with the key fob just fine, but unlocking just doesnt happen. Any suggestions? Is there some servo that needs to be replaced?

 

There are two servos in the lock actuator that often go bad after a number of years.
There's a very long thread about this - 16 pages so far.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-problems.html

 

holy crap, what a ridiculously widespread problem. thanks.

 

My husband posted about this SAME issue on his MINI, but nobody replied. I'll show him this thread

 

I'm having a related problem. On my '05 MCS with 65k, one of my keys no longer unlocks or locks the doors remotely. I'm thinking the battery may have given up the ghost. Has anybody replaced their battery before? I asked about a new key at the dealer. Way too much $$ for a key.....

 

Many threads....
The key on the 05+ is rechargeable
Go for an hours drive, then test it.
Keys are not made to open, but has been done, but you must use the proper battery...a rechargable one, or it will leak when you use the key...when it recharges it my explode...Ni-metal hydride is the type i think...not the common alkaline throwaway batts...
One trick...
buy a cheap ebay key...and remove the battery..reinstall it in your old key/fob. Then go for a drive to charge it....
Pre 2005 keys are different, they use a regular battery that gets replaced regularly....
it is possible if the key was not used for a longtime it must be paired with the keyless entry...again 2005+ is diff than earlier...
There a few few threads with the procdure....takes 30 seconds max.