The locking system on our '05 MCS stopped working tonight. Very strange behavior. The first thing we noticed was that the key would not remotely lock the car. Then we turned the key in the door to lock and only locked the driver's side door. The hatch and passenger remained open. Then tried to open the door w/ the key. The button went up but the door wouldn't open. Only when I held the key in the extreme turned position would the door release. Pushing the toggle down inside the car did nothing but pushing it up I could hear the relays click. I drove the car around the block and the doors and hatch locked at 10mph as expected. I got back in the garage and the toggle switch unlocked the door buttons and hatch. But I couldn't open the driver's side door from inside. I had to crawl across to the passenger side. When the key is in the ignition in the off position it makes the "bing, bing, bign" sound to remind you to turn off the lights or that you've forgotten your keys when you've opened the door. But the lights are off and the doors are all closed. Anyone have any ideas what's going on?

Thanks in advance,
Colin

 

Aren't British cars great? So much character!

 

I had some similar problems as you, not exact, but the lights and binging were involved, as well. Mine solved itself in a day, but I'd already scheduled an appointment so I brought it in.

They were able to find an error code. It had something to do with the door latch. When the door was closed it wasn't indicating that to the electrical system. They replaced it and it continues to be fine. Bring it in to your dealer for a check.

 

I had the same thing happening in my MINI and one dealer refused to figure out what was wrong and blamed my Viper system, and another dealer replaced my lock, and everything was fixed.

 

I had a similar problem with the windows/doors. I called the MINI dealer and he told me how to reset the system over the phone. I followed his instructions and everything reset back to normal. Call you dealer, it may be that simple.

 

i have no experience but it sounds plausible that your drivers side door lock or "door closed button" is to blame. If the driver door is open (or MINI thinks it is) then you cannot lock the doors with the remote and that would also cause the bing bing noise. JMO

 

I had something like this, but it was with the rear hatch.

It wasn't unlocking when I pushed the button on the fob and didn't open with the hatch button. Turns out I had a faulty hatch release, as the connections were corroded. They needed to replace the trim and latch, but didn't have on in stock, so ordered one, had it painted. Now I just need to get it installed.

I've gone almost a month without being able to use it, best of all, it unlatches itself randomly while driving. Fun times!

Good Luck!

 

mine is also doing the same thing. i can lock and unlock all the doors but the drivers door with the key fob. i can lock or unlock the door when i use the key. it needs a new lock unit. i'll be in the dealer on the 15th to get it fixed. it is a rather large unit and i decided to let them pay for this part. when it's a small cheap part i fix it myself because it is less of a pain to deal with the dealer. we will see how they do this time.

 

Called Mini of San Francisco and Mini of Mountain View and they both wanted to schedule me for the end of March. Mini of Concord took care of me immediately. They replaced the door lock mechanism under warranty.

Mini of Concord was great. The new door lock mechanism solved the problem. They also defeated the auto-lock @ 10 mph "feature" and washed the car.