Hi so I just got to keys that have buttons unlike the single key I have now from a parts mini and I called the dealer and they said it's 200-300 dollars plus a 80 dollar program fee because they can't reprogram keys to a different vin car is this true because I don't believe that they can't reprogram a key so I can use it in my car... I have the new ignition switches and everything the car just doesn't bing when I put the key in even though I can twist it all the way to starting position but won't start
so is it true I have to order a key from mini for my vin or can they program the key and just trying to get my $$$
thanks

 

Yes

 

Post a picture of the keys please. There is a tiny black "chip" in the key you may be able to transfer from one to the other to make it work.

 

See the little black almost rectangle thing in the shell half at the top of the pic? If your old key can pop open you need to transfer that to the new key.

 

So new key and current key but it's kinda pointless sense I can't use the lock and unlock features anyways
thanks though good way around it

 

I'll find the link, but you can sync the lock part of the remote to the car yourself. It's just a weird process of key turns and opening the door and pressing the lock switch in the car and pressing the buttons on the remote in the right sequence in a certain time frame.

 

So yes you can make the new key work. But you won't be able to order a new key anymore. When you order a new key it will come laser cut for your old ignition.

 

They can't program that little black "chip" to work with a different car, but you can program the door remote to a different car.

You just need to transfer that little "chip" then program the new lock remote to the current car

 

Alright well I have tried to sync the keys to my car but with the process I tried no luck but they may of been for 06 and newer where my car is the 2002 r53

and I have the old ignition lock switch so if I do ever order a new key then I'll just switch it back but I don't have the $$ to order $300 key

 

You could order a new shell from amazon or ebay and transfer the blade from the new key to the new shell and would have the button covers and everything back like you should for the 02 key.

 

Koola's Keyless Entry BMW Mini Cooper R50 R53 Replacement Key Uncut Blade Blank Key Shell Case Remote Fob https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I31Y4MW..._SmSAyb4SGR1YX

 

Thanks I did see those so that is an option I would just really like to use the convenience stuff instead and the unlock/lock so I'll see if I can get the new keys I have apart I just don't know how to connect them to a 2002 Cooper I have tried holding down the unlock then clicking the lock 3 times and letting go but that way doesn't seem to work

 

So basically if u can find that way of connecting the lock key to my car from the few posts above that would be what I am looking for now

 

Before you do that button press thing you have to open and close the door and then turn the ignition to a certain post and back and press the lock switch in the car or something like that, there is a whole series of things you have to do before the button presses on the remote. I just can't remember what they are off the top of my head.

 

Ok if u find how to do that great but I will look when I get off of work to do that then and if I can get that to work I will try and transfer that chip

 

If you transfer the chip for now you will be able to start and drive the car just fine, you just won't be able to remote lock it.

 

Ok! Thanks I'll just use my old key for now then and once I find how to program the new key to make unlock buttons work I'll switch the chip

 

If the key you are trying to program hasn't been used in a long time the battery my be dead. Also since it gets recharged while you drive it would be difficult to have a remote key that wasn't being used to start the car unless you take it apart and replace the rechargeable battery with a regular one.

There is a guy on Facebook ( the Mini Key Hospital) he's awesome. Check with him and see if there is anything he can do.

 

Your 2002 uses the old style key (2 buttons). You bought a new style key (3 buttons) which has different remote lock electronics that are incompatible with your car. You won't be able to do anything with the key you purchased.

You need to buy an old style 2 button key. By swapping parts with your current key, you can assemble a working key with remote lock. However, you will need to have the dealer program your car for the remote lock.

 

rkw is pretty much correct.I will assume that the key that came with the car is the one on the right of your picture, with the case with the worn through holes. I will also assume that at one time you could start and drive your car with that key. If so, your best bet is to put the old ignition switch back in the car (the one that would turn with the original key) and order yourself what is called a "general, non-remote" key from the dealer for your car. You will need the title/registration and your ID; it will arrive in about a week and will open the doors with the blade and start the car with the blade. It also has the magic little black chip in it that X757X showed a picture of. It doesn't have any remote functions, however. Once you get that key you can send me your old key (I'm the MINI Key Hospital guy) and I can put it in a new case, solder one or two tactile microswitches on it and confirm it's operation and return it to you. That way you will have a remote key and a spare. The three button keys and the associated ignition switch lock cylinder are pretty much useless for your car. There is no series of button presses that will allow you to use these keys with your car, and there is no series of button pushes that will allow you to program your car to accept commands from a new or used remote- the car has to be hooked to a computer to code in the new key remotes. Here is a great site (not written by me) with lots of great information about these keys.

https://sites.google.com/site/minian...verremotekeys/

My e-mail is "minikeyhospital (at) outlook (d0T) com if you want to contact me about repairing your existing key, which is your best option.

Bruce

 

Just out of curiosity because I got the info I had from your site actual, I understand now that the new style remote can't be programmed to the car, but I have a question myself.

I have an 02, with the correct style original key that came with the car. This pairing procedure won't work for me. It is the original key. I put a new battery in it as well. Starts and runs car fine, I'm just tired of locking doors with the door handle lock.

https://sites.google.com/site/minian...ing-the-remote

I'm looking for help, and you seem to be the guru!
Is there maybe something I should look for unhooked in my car? It had an aftermarket viper remote start and alarm when I got the car, but was missing the remote for that. I carefully removed the system and spliced wires back how they came, I'm 100 percent positive I got all that straight. But was wondering if there was a module or antenna they might have unplugged when they installed that aftermarket crap. I'm unsure where to look for a module or antenna.

I wouldby be surprised if the computer portion is part of the main car brain. But I'm sure there's an antenna or something somehwere I'm missing

 

Well I think what I will do is see if i can get any money for the new keys I bought and other ignition stuff then go to the MINI dealer and probably buy just one normal key and if I feel in the future send you (MINI KEY HOSPITAL GUY) the key I have now and repair it best to your ability. This way I have one fully funtioning key and then one that will only work by manually unlocking the doors.
But I have a Mini Bible (service manual) and see that is shows how to program the key to unlock and lock so since the dealer wants $80 to do that I will just tell them I am doing that myself and then im only spending the money on the actual key.

 

That programming procedure only works for 2005 and newer model year. It was made possible by new remote lock electronics that were updated in 2005 (along with the change to 3 button key). For 2002 to 2004, programming a remote key requires connecting the car to a computer and running the dealer's software.

 

I got my key repaired by Bruce and it is the best it has ever worked. I got it put in a flip case and got new buttons and a new battery. Took a couple of weeks, but most of that was waiting on postage between our Continents.

A DIY option is someone with an NCSExpert setup with DIS working. Or if you are comfortable with crazy windows hacking you can give the DIS setup info a read from the website Bruce linked.

James

 

Several things could be going on here-

1) your door actuators could be bad, leading you to believe that the central locking isn't working. Try hitting the lock button on your remote and seeing if the hatch is locked. That actuator almost never goes bad.

2) your key might not be transmitting a signal. Take the key apart like you did when you replaced the battery- there is a red LED on the board that should light up when either button is pressed

3) The receiver for the key signal is in or behind the rear view mirror. Swapping in a known good one is about the only way to test that.

4) your key may have been coded out of the system- this is something the dealer can do to a key that has been lost or stolen. Maybe a previous owner did this and then found or recovered the key. It can be coded back in if it is not in- this is a dealer or BMW specialist thing; they have to hook your car up to the coding machine.

Val