When I bought Miss MINI (MCS) pre-owned, she had only one key - the Master Key. We recently ordered another for the door / ignition just in case, and it came in yesterday (wife picked it up). It opens the locked door and turns the ignition, but doesn't start the car. I called the service rep, and after a bit of research, he called me back and said that he talked to one of the repair fellows in the back. They "think" I need to bring Miss MINI back to the dealership along with both keys because "I believe we have to reprogram the computer to accept the new key".

This is like a doctor telling you that he "thinks you have appendicitis, but he will have to open you up to see - we're not sure". I would rather the doctor say, "You have appendicitis, but we are going to fix you right up with a small operation". I would rather the service rep KNOW rather than GUESS what's wrong with the new key.

Anyone know the procedure to get the new door / ignition key to work? I know it has a chip in it for theft prevention, but how is the key (chip) coded? The Owner's Manual doesn't say...

I have an appointment Friday, December 3rd.

 

This would be a true statement because doctors only practice medicine.

Greatbear had a great write-up about the keys, programming and some problems that may occur. I do remember something about the other keys should be used to update the info stored in them from the car itself. I’ll see if I can do a search and link you to it.

 

Look at this thread about 3/4 down the first page and see if it give you any more info about the key. Great write-up from Greatbear.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=Key+ignition

 

You definitely need to have the dealership match that new key to the car using their diagnostic computer. The immobilizer will prevent the car from starting with that key until the procedure is performed,

 

I just went to lunch and re-tried the new key. Maybe it was the colorful four-letter word I used, or the glare I gave the key, but it decided to work. Car now starts as advertised. Thanks for the help, but apparently Miss MINI healed herself.


Now if I can just find the comb I dropped last Sunday in Miss MINI that she decided to eat, all will be right with the world.

Along with my wife, the MINI dealer service rep is now going to think I'm nutz.