Hi, new mini owner here with a question. I've done some searching but haven't been able to find a good answer to my dilemma.

I purchased a used mini recently and I have come to find out that the door lock cylinder will not turn and unlock the door with either of the two keys that I have. Both of the keys work in the ignition, but unfortunately not in the door. Of those two keys only one has the buttons on the fob. So basically I only have one key that will unlock the car, and it has to be done using the fob. What are some of my options for getting two working keys. Is it cheaper to buy a new key fob, so I have two fobs with buttons? Or to purchase a new door lock cylinder? Will a new cylinder work with my existing keys? I don't exactly know what my options are. Could you help?

 

This (or something similar) happened to me recently:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...or-repair.html

That's the thread I started and it's got pictures of what happened to my door lock. If your keys just turn around and around this is probably what happened to it. If they don't turn at all, that's a puzzlement.

Good news is that the new part seems to be made out of sturdier stuff. While installation of the lock by yourself isn't a breeze it is within the realm of a DIY'er. They can order just the lock; they don't have to get a new ignition lock and new keys as my dealer first thought. You must have your title/registration and your driver's license to order the lock. I would try to get somebody from a dealer to come out to your car to show them what it is doing before ordering the lock. If you need a part number I will turn up my receipt for the purchase.

First thing I would do is take the inside door panel off and with the aid of a helper, see if the shaft thing is turning when you turn the key. If it is perhaps the actuator is bad (stripped?).

Last but not least, your car could have been in an accident and an extremely lazy body shop could have stuck just any old door lock in there. Wouldn't be discovered for a while, as hardly anybody ever uses the key to unlock the door.

The two keys you got with your car are correct. One is the "remote" key and the other is the "general" key; your car came with one of each.

I strongly suggest getting your door lock fixed. If the battery in the car goes flat while the car is locked there will be no way for your to get in.

 

Thanks. Yeah, my keys don't turn in the door at all... Is it possible it's froze somehow, and maybe by taking it apart I could fix it?

 

I had this exact problem only could unlock my car with the fob the key would not turn at all in the door but luckily Carmax covered mine it was froze up they had to order a new one from mini so I'm guessing that is what your going to have to do