R50/53 Magical Mystifying Key
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 37
Magical Mystifying Key
The scenario:
R53 06S - There are 2 keys - Key 1 works fine all the time. Key 2 will unlock the car but will not lock the car. It changes for a second if you put Key 2 in the ignition (in acc mode) and leave it there for a little while (say 30 mins), it will lock the car and then unlock it - but will not lock it again.
Any ideas?
R53 06S - There are 2 keys - Key 1 works fine all the time. Key 2 will unlock the car but will not lock the car. It changes for a second if you put Key 2 in the ignition (in acc mode) and leave it there for a little while (say 30 mins), it will lock the car and then unlock it - but will not lock it again.
Any ideas?
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 127
From: San Francisco
Unfortunately the 2006 key is not designed for replaceable battery, but it can done if you cut open the key and unsolder the battery. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ob-repair.html
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 37
Even though they start the car, and do unlock it - but one (Key 2) locks it intermittently? Again, no problems with Key 1. Key 2 never fails to unlock it and after it's been running for awhile, it will lock it but it will not lock it more than once - always unlocks it though.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 127
From: San Francisco
Starting the car involves the immobilizer chip in the key, which is completely independent of the remote lock/unlock electronics. The immobilizer chip doesn't require power and doesn't use the battery in the keyfob.
If key 2's behavior is changed by running the car with it for awhile, then I thought it could be a battery issue. The car recharges the key's battery while the key is inserted and the car is turned on. The battery might not be holding a charge but charging could give it enough power to work temporarily.
You described the following sequence:
You could try reprogramming the keys as already suggested (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post1462932). Another possibility is that the physical switch for the lock button is only making electrical contact intermittently.
If key 2's behavior is changed by running the car with it for awhile, then I thought it could be a battery issue. The car recharges the key's battery while the key is inserted and the car is turned on. The battery might not be holding a charge but charging could give it enough power to work temporarily.
You described the following sequence:
1. car running with key 2 for awhile
2. lock car with key 2 – successful
3. unlock car with key 2 – successful
4. lock car with key 2 – unsucessful
Just to clarify... by your description you could then lock using key 1 and unlock using key 2 repeatedly without issues?2. lock car with key 2 – successful
3. unlock car with key 2 – successful
4. lock car with key 2 – unsucessful
You could try reprogramming the keys as already suggested (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post1462932). Another possibility is that the physical switch for the lock button is only making electrical contact intermittently.
Last edited by rkw; Apr 30, 2018 at 02:37 AM.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 37
Starting the car involves the immobilizer chip in the key, which is completely independent of the remote lock/unlock electronics. The immobilizer chip doesn't require power and doesn't use the battery in the keyfob.
If key 2's behavior is changed by running the car with it for awhile, then I thought it could be a battery issue. The car recharges the key's battery while the key is inserted and the car is turned on. The battery might not be holding a charge but charging could give it enough power to work temporarily.
You described the following sequence:
You could try reprogramming the keys as already suggested (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post1462932). Another possibility is that the physical switch for the lock button is only making electrical contact intermittently.
If key 2's behavior is changed by running the car with it for awhile, then I thought it could be a battery issue. The car recharges the key's battery while the key is inserted and the car is turned on. The battery might not be holding a charge but charging could give it enough power to work temporarily.
You described the following sequence:
1. car running with key 2 for awhile
2. lock car with key 2 – successful
3. unlock car with key 2 – successful
4. lock car with key 2 – unsucessful
Just to clarify... by your description you could then lock using key 1 and unlock using key 2 repeatedly without issues?2. lock car with key 2 – successful
3. unlock car with key 2 – successful
4. lock car with key 2 – unsucessful
You could try reprogramming the keys as already suggested (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post1462932). Another possibility is that the physical switch for the lock button is only making electrical contact intermittently.
You described the following sequence:
1. car running with key 2 for awhile
2. lock car with key 2 – successful
3. unlock car with key 2 – successful
4. lock car with key 2 – unsucessful
Just to clarify... by your description you could then lock using key 1 and unlock using key 2 repeatedly without issues?2. lock car with key 2 – successful
3. unlock car with key 2 – successful
4. lock car with key 2 – unsucessful
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 38
Likes: 4
From: Medina, Ohio
I only have one key but mine does the same thing. I believe it is a weak battery, Here is why. It will unlock from 20 or 30 ft. But usually has trouble locking no matter how close. Now, if I touch the key to a metal part of the car, say door lock or even passenger door handle it works fine every time. Give that a try...
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 673
Likes: 36
From: West Seattle
I do key repair on the side as "MINI Key Hospital". It is odd that it only locks the car once but it is most likely a failed/failing battery. Here's how to see if it's any third button push. Put key 2 in the ignition as before (I think you said 30 minutes). Pull key 2 out. Instead of using it to lock the car, use key 1. Then use key to to 1) unlock 2) lock 3) unlock again. I'm guessing that the third button push, no matter what it is (you could try this again with the hatch unlock as the third push) will fail. This indicates very rapid voltage drop in the battery.
A very common problem with these keys is that the battery breaks away from the board due to vibration. One of the battery legs is half as thin as the other which makes it easy to break. Often when this happens key functions are intermittent and sometimes the key ceases to work at all. Perhaps pushing different buttons on the board changes the angle of the board enough to make or break contact with the battery leg.
It's difficult to explain why the key always unlocks the car, though. If it's not battery drop then there certainly is a loose switch connection- either the switch itself is bad or there is a bad solder joint.
If you'd like me to take a look at your key and diagnose the intermittent issue please send me an e-mail to "minikeyhospital@outlook.com" (sorry about my PM box being full at the moment).
One word of caution, opening these keys is tricky. Cut too deep and you end up slicing components off of the circuit board, and then that's it for the key.
Dr. Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital
A very common problem with these keys is that the battery breaks away from the board due to vibration. One of the battery legs is half as thin as the other which makes it easy to break. Often when this happens key functions are intermittent and sometimes the key ceases to work at all. Perhaps pushing different buttons on the board changes the angle of the board enough to make or break contact with the battery leg.
It's difficult to explain why the key always unlocks the car, though. If it's not battery drop then there certainly is a loose switch connection- either the switch itself is bad or there is a bad solder joint.
If you'd like me to take a look at your key and diagnose the intermittent issue please send me an e-mail to "minikeyhospital@outlook.com" (sorry about my PM box being full at the moment).
One word of caution, opening these keys is tricky. Cut too deep and you end up slicing components off of the circuit board, and then that's it for the key.
Dr. Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 38
Likes: 4
From: Medina, Ohio
A very common problem with these keys is that the battery breaks away from the board due to vibration. One of the battery legs is half as thin as the other which makes it easy to break. Often when this happens key functions are intermittent and sometimes the key ceases to work at all. Perhaps pushing different buttons on the board changes the angle of the board enough to make or break contact with the battery leg.
Dr. Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital
Dr. Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 37
I do key repair on the side as "MINI Key Hospital". It is odd that it only locks the car once but it is most likely a failed/failing battery. Here's how to see if it's any third button push. Put key 2 in the ignition as before (I think you said 30 minutes). Pull key 2 out. Instead of using it to lock the car, use key 1. Then use key to to 1) unlock 2) lock 3) unlock again. I'm guessing that the third button push, no matter what it is (you could try this again with the hatch unlock as the third push) will fail. This indicates very rapid voltage drop in the battery.
A very common problem with these keys is that the battery breaks away from the board due to vibration. One of the battery legs is half as thin as the other which makes it easy to break. Often when this happens key functions are intermittent and sometimes the key ceases to work at all. Perhaps pushing different buttons on the board changes the angle of the board enough to make or break contact with the battery leg.
It's difficult to explain why the key always unlocks the car, though. If it's not battery drop then there certainly is a loose switch connection- either the switch itself is bad or there is a bad solder joint.
If you'd like me to take a look at your key and diagnose the intermittent issue please send me an e-mail to "minikeyhospital@outlook.com" (sorry about my PM box being full at the moment).
One word of caution, opening these keys is tricky. Cut too deep and you end up slicing components off of the circuit board, and then that's it for the key.
Dr. Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital
A very common problem with these keys is that the battery breaks away from the board due to vibration. One of the battery legs is half as thin as the other which makes it easy to break. Often when this happens key functions are intermittent and sometimes the key ceases to work at all. Perhaps pushing different buttons on the board changes the angle of the board enough to make or break contact with the battery leg.
It's difficult to explain why the key always unlocks the car, though. If it's not battery drop then there certainly is a loose switch connection- either the switch itself is bad or there is a bad solder joint.
If you'd like me to take a look at your key and diagnose the intermittent issue please send me an e-mail to "minikeyhospital@outlook.com" (sorry about my PM box being full at the moment).
One word of caution, opening these keys is tricky. Cut too deep and you end up slicing components off of the circuit board, and then that's it for the key.
Dr. Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital
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