Does anyone know if you can purchase a used key for the correct model year (and assuming you can program it yourself as I have found directions here) will the key itself work in another mini?? In other words.....does the metal shaft thingee that is cut standard for the year and then the electronics take over for security?? I am sooo confused about this key thing and I really don't want to go through the hassle and EXPENSE of getting a second key from the dealership. Any help is ALWAYS appreciated!

 

Why not just call MiniUSA and ask? It's a toll free call.

 

Does anyone find that they have to get really close to their Mini before you can unlock or lock the door with the key buttons? Is it just my set of keys (both pair behave the same)?

Or is it some kind of security feature? I dunno...

 

Touch it to your chin. I can unlock mine from 50 ft by doing that.

 

This sounds like an urban legend designed to make you look and feel foolish when you try it. But it increases the max distance from which my key "locks/unlock/convenience opens" by a factor of 4 to 6.
After convenience-opening the windows and roof, this gives my car a few more moments to release heat before I get to it.

"If you touch the key to your chin or cheek while pressing the unlock button, the key will unlock your MINI from a much greater distance."
-- from the "Things You Didn't Know About Your Mini" thread.

Edit: 1nf3rn0 beat me to it. Please direct all the glory and honor that this thread earns in his direction.

 

about the no range thing, the batterys in the key might be dieing, if you are drivin an older model. (the newer model keys are recharged when they are in the ignition)

 

Hmmm. I just got my car in August and it's a 2006. It's been acting that way since I bought it.

Maybe I just have to drive longer and farther...

or try the Chin thing.

 

I don't know of any source other than the dealer for the key. Given that even THEY have to get it from MINIUSA in NJ, I doubt it.

Now a question for you - Say what? What have you found you can program? In addition to having the correct cut (otherwise, any MINI key could be used to break into any MINI), it has to have a chip that is recognized by the ECU.

 

If I'm farther than ten feet from Junior, the remote dosn't work. Personally, I think he waits to see if it's really me before he responds... I'll try the chin thing later today, and let you know how it works...

 

Even then, when you get the key from MiniUSA, it immediately works in the ignition and doors but doesn't work with the door locks. It has to be programmed in the car. You can do it yourself, though, following the directions here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...91&postcount=7

 

Don't they actually come from Valeo?

Back to the subject... I very highly doubt that you can use any MINI key, they have to all be different. If they were the same anyone with a MINI key could unlock your doors.

 

It makes sense that they should all be different. I thought maybe the electronics in the head of the key was the security part and the metal shaft was the physical aspect of the lock and you would need both to complete the process. WHY do they make this process so involved? Does it really cut down on theft? If so...why are insurance rates not reflected upon this??
I saw a key on Ebay and thought well....maybe save a few bucks. Looks like I will just go the safe route..buck up and spend the money.

 

Anton, there are 2 separate electronics in the key. You can buy the used key and program the remote to lock and unlock doors. Even if the key physically turned the locks, the 2nd electronic bit is the transponder for the EWS system, it works with a rolling code like a garage door opener, but the code table is burned into the chip, so no 2 are alike. A new key from the dealer has a transponder with a code table that is specific for your car.
Take your key and hold the handle end against the ring(antenna) around the ignition lock, do not insert the key. The "key in the ignition" gong will sound. This is the antenna recieving the keys transponder, it wakes up the ECU and sends the code to it, the ECU in turn sends a response back if it matches and the EWS unit acts as a starter relay and unlocks the starter. Both units then go on the next code in the table.
--Dan

 

Thanks Dan. Makes sense now! WOW - Such high tech devices for my simple little mind! Looks like a trip to the dealer with my file cabinet full of documents to order a key.

 

You need your driver's license and car registration (or at least that's what I had to show them) to order a new key.

And when they program the new key fob for you, you need to have ALL of the programmable keys with fobs with you. Even the ones that already work - otherwise, when the program the new key to work with the remote lock/unlock, your old key fob won't work.

 

When I hold the key to my chin and press the button, my pants fall down. Anyone have a similar experience?

 

Starting with 2008 models, at least in California, you cannot be required to go to the dealer for key replacement. New legislation states:

Vehicle Code section 9954. (a) This section applies only to new vehicles sold or leased in this state on or after January 1, 2008, except as provided in subdivision (d) or (e).
(b) A motor vehicle manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold or leased in this state shall provide the means whereby the registered owner of that motor vehicle, through a registered locksmith, can access the information, and only that information, that is necessary to permit the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device by the registered locksmith that will allow the registered vehicle's owner to enter, start, and operate his or her vehicle. The means to access this information shall be available by telephone or electronically 24 hours a day and seven days a week, as follows:
(1) When a registered locksmith is requested by the motor vehicle's registered owner or the registered owner's family member, to produce a replacement key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, and the information is needed from the vehicle manufacturer in order to produce the requested key or other functionally similar device, in addition to the requirement in Section 466.6 of the Penal Code, the registered locksmith shall visually verify the identity of the requesting party through that party's driver's license; shall visually verify that the registration of the vehicle matches the requesting party's identity and address (or last name and address if the requesting party is a family member of the registered owner); and shall visually verify that the vehicle identification number of the vehicle matches with the vehicle identification number on the registration. Upon satisfactory verification of all three requirements, the registered locksmith shall sign an affidavit that he or she has visually verified the information and file the affidavit along with, and for the same time period as, the work order required by Section 466.6 of the Penal Code, and proceed to access the needed information from the vehicle manufacturer.
(2) Upon completing the services, the registered locksmith shall give any key code information obtained from the vehicle manufacturer to the registered owner, or if applicable, the owner's family member, and shall destroy all information accessed from the vehicle manufacturer in his or her possession.
(3) Except in cases of fraud or misappropriation, a registered locksmith who follows these procedures shall incur no liability for theft of the vehicle related to the locksmith's production of a replacement key or functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated.
(4) When a vehicle manufacturer receives a request from a registered locksmith for information to enable the locksmith to produce a replacement key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, and that request is made at the behest of the vehicle's registered owner or the registered owner's family member, the vehicle manufacturer shall require the registered locksmith to confirm the locksmith's registration with the manufacturer's registry; provide the security password issued by the manufacturer; and comply with any other reasonable authentication procedure. The manufacturer shall also require the registered locksmith to confirm the locksmith's visual identity and vehicle verifications, pursuant to paragraph (1). Upon satisfactory verification of these requirements, and upon presentation of the vehicle identification number and model number, the vehicle manufacturer shall provide to the registered locksmith, for the vehicle identified by the vehicle identification number and model number, the information necessary to enable production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated.
(5) A motor vehicle manufacturer subject to this section shall retain and make the information available in accordance with this section for at least 25 years from the date of manufacture.
(6) A vehicle manufacturer that follows these procedures shall incur no liability for theft of the vehicle related to furnishing the information to a registered locksmith for the production of a replacement key or functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated.
(c) For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
(1) "Information" includes, but is not limited to, the vehicle's key code and, if applicable, immobilizer or access code, and its successor technology and terminology.
(2) "Motor vehicle" is a passenger vehicle as defined in Section 465 and pickup truck as defined in Section 471, and does not include a housecar, a motorcycle, or other two-wheeled motor vehicle.
(3) A "registered locksmith" means a locksmith licensed and bonded in California that has registered with a motor vehicle manufacturer, and has been issued a registry number and security password by the manufacturer.
(4) A registered owner, as defined in Section 505, also includes a lessee of the vehicle when the lessee's name appears on the vehicle registration.
(d)(1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of a motor vehicle manufacturer that on January 1, 2006, does not provide for the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, by anyone other than the vehicle manufacturer itself and only itself, provided that the vehicle manufacturer operates a telephone or electronic request line 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and upon a request of the registered owner or family member of the registered owner of the vehicle, a replacement key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, is furnished to the registered owner at a reasonable cost within one day of the request or via the next overnight delivery.
(2) If subsequent to January 1, 2008, a vehicle line of the manufacturer exempted by this subdivision provides for the production of a replacement by anyone, other than the vehicle manufacturer itself, of a key or other functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, this section shall apply to that vehicle line.
(3) This subdivision shall remain operative until January 1, 2013, and as of that date shall become inoperative, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends that date.
(e)(1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of a motor vehicle manufacturer that sold between 2,500 and 5,000 vehicles of that line in the prior calendar year in the state.
(2) This subdivision shall remain operative until January 1, 2013, and as of that date shall become inoperative, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends that date.
(f) This section shall not apply to a make that sold fewer than 2,500 vehicles in the prior calendar year in the state.
(g) The duties imposed on a manufacturer pursuant to this section may be performed either by the manufacturer or by an agent through a contract.
(h) The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

 

WOW, I actually understood that whole thing... Let me summarize:
The vehicle manufactures have to provide Cal. licensed and bonded locksmiths who register with the manufacturer the information and technology to cut and program a key. I'm sure that will be in the form of a computer program and hardware that the locksmith will purchase from the manufacturer. Given the # of vehicle makes out there, this sounds like an expensive proposition for locksmiths, and probably not worth the investment.
It also says that if a manufacturer does not serve the locksmiths, then they must be available 24-7 to provide a key "at a reasonable cost" to the owner within 24 hours. This is likely how we'll see it, with a 1-800 number.
Reminds me of OBD2.
--Dan

 

The panther doesnt like to respond until im within 15 feet
but the chin thing should be ineteresting
I think im gonna do it in my driveway so i dont look like an idiot at school