Our 05 MCSa has 120 miles on it and we experienced our first problem. Came out to the parking lot after work to find the car unlocked, sunroof up and windows down about two inches. No buttons on the key were pushed and yes everything was closed and locked up tight when it was parked.

I have read a couple of threads with similar experiences but no fixes or difinitive answers. Any input?

Hate to have to visit the dealer already.

 

I wonder - if the cars that have done this were reprogramed to not have Convenience Opening, if the problem would stop? ...Just a thought. If they key buttons were not pushed, maybe it got a signal from something else (although, not sure how it could)

 

Sometimes even the slightest pressure on the unlock button can cause this to happen. Where do you keep your keys? In your pocket(guy) Or in your purse(gal).If your key is programmed to unlock, open the sunroof, & lower the windows with one touch, I'm sure this is what's happening. I have owned 2 MINIs & have had this happen several times. The other problem could be your MINI doesn't like sitting idle all day & was getting ready to go for a romp around town

Lois

 

I can confirm the pocket theory. I saw my lights flashing and it was from the key hitting things in my pocket. It's quite sensative.

 

I'm shocked to hear that it can happen from keys bumping around in a pocket or purse, given that my key will barely work when aimed at the car, a few feet away and intentionally pressing the buttons...

 

it happen to me once. just once.

 

I agree, imavunderbrah.. my key seems to be erratic and doesn't always open the doors on the first try; also it doesn't always open the roof/windows after holding the button down (ofcourse it did work when there was a foot of snow on the roof one day)

 

I was gently holding my key in my hand last week & the next thing I knew my top was going down The top on my car I think the new keys may be more sensitive than the old ones. They seem to need less pressure to activate them.

Lois

 

It is very unlikely that I unknowingly pressed a button. I have the key on a key ring (by itself) and had it dangling off of my finger. The key was not touching anything. I will have to review what features we have programmed.

The theory of it not wanting to sit all day may have some merrit. It did have a guilty look about it. Kind of looked like it had done something it wasn't supposed to. Like motor without us. I better check the mileage next time I park it.

 

The theory of the car wanting to go is a good one; however, didn't you say that it was like that when you came out of work? Did you have your key on your finger the whole time? The only reason I can think of for the sunroof and windows opening is the convenience opening, and the only thing that is supposed to be able to trigger that is the key button being held, or the key being turned to unlock and held there in the driver's door.

 

All I can think of here is Christine.......

 

To think I've been SEARCHing for an efficient way to fill my cockpit with Snow!!

You're talking Funniest Home Videos material there, sorry about the bad luck though,
Tatt

 

During the day the key was on my desk. No windows, approximately 200 yards from the car, another building between the key and the car. The only time the key was touched was when I slipped it on my finger to leave. As I got close to the car I saw the roof up and windows down. Very unlikely that the key was the culprit. So far it has not happened today.

 

Perhaps it happened as you were leaving the car...

 

Early MINIs had this problem. Water got into an electrical box of some sort, which caused windows and sunroofs to open w/o any key operation. If it does it again, I'd bring it back to the dealership, as I recall something had to be replaced when this happened.

-Paul!

 

I had the same thing happen to me 3 weeks after I got my 05mcs.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=35227

That is what happens when the batt gets drained like if you leave the lights on or listen to the radio for an extended period of time with the car off. The funny thing with mine if your read the thread, was it happened with 666 miles on my mini when it happened. Take it in, and they will make sure the batt is charged for you. Another thing it will do is the windows will not go back up after they detent when you open your door sometimes.

 

Are there any other Mini's in the parking lot?

I probably shouldn't confess to this, but when I had my Integra, I discovered that someone that worked near me and parked thier Integra in the same parking lot had the same key code as me. On those particularly bad work days I would entertain myself by setting off his alarm with my remote as I walked by his car.

This was many years ago when I was much younger and foolisher, but I suppose something similar could be happening........?

 

Funny you should mention that. A co-worker of mine has an 04 mini and she was parked 3 cars down from mine when it happened. But the 2nd time she had left. Also the detent problem happened when I opened my doors and the windows didn't go back up so I don't think it had anything to do with my problem. Just that I had left the lights on for almost 3 hrs and the batt was low.

 

I would agree, maybe you put the keys in your pocket as you were walking away and thats when they opened. I've had my windows and sunroof open multiple times because the button was accidently pressed in my pocket. It usually happens as i'm working on the car and crawling around on the floor. :smile:

 

This happened to me also. Now I don't put the keys into my pocket until I am a safe distance away (not really sure what that is). Seems to happen less now. All in all, it has happened to me about 5 times.
One time I did catch it when it was happening. I pulled my keys out, and the windows and sunroof stopped opening. That led me to the practice I explained above.

 

Kinda off-topic (and it's none of my business really) but did you sell the STi to get the MCSa

 

I think this happens to almost every MINI owner at one time or another. It's happened to my MINI (2003 May build) about 3 times in 24 months of ownership....walk out to the car and the windows are down a couple inches and sunroof open a bit, too. Luckily each time it was either A. in the garage, or B. in the parking lot at work and it wasn't raining. Seems to affect every year MINI, 2002 through 2005...

Don't think there's a fix...

Rock On,

-boognish

 

Yes, the STi is now just a fond memory. Actually it was sold to fund my next yet to be determined auto project. Timing of getting the MCSa was a coincidence. Not enough garages to keep all the toys indoors. Plus I needed room for some new equipment. Tube bender and notcher, TIG machine, etc. Work toys to help build the play toys.

 

That happened to my MCS once. Fortunately, it was safely parked in my garage.

I immediately had them disable all "convenience" operations involving the key. Haven't had the problem since.

All software has bugs.

 

I'll second the possibility that the key is being triggered as you walk away. This week-end, I was working around my garage door, and had backed my '05 MCS into the driveway. At one point I walked in front of the MINI and heard a ker-thunk, as the locks actuated. I heard it a second time and rearranged the keys, change, etc. in my pocket. It seemed to stop.

That evening the car is in the garage, and I'm watching TV in the adjacent family room when, through a transparent kitty door, I start to notice flashes of light from the garage. What the... I took the key from my pocket, pressed the button, and that was it. Almost everytime I stood up or sat down, the key was being actuated and the parking lights on the MINI were flashing. These '05 keys are way to sensitive. I have to wonder, even if I'm out of range, how many times during the day is it being actuated, and what does that do to its battery life? Although it was bigger and more awkward, I never noticed this problem with the key to my '03.

Oddly, the next day in a parking lot, I pressed the lock button while standing right next to the car and it didn't lock. I had to turn around and point the key at the car to get it to lock.