Wife mentioned that her key won't unlock the doors. It was stored for winter and had to be jump started the other day. Does the key have a battery, or is it charged in the car? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Perry

 

If you have Comfort Access (rubber nubs on the door handles that you can press to lock / unlock with the key in your pocket), your key has a replaceable battery [which may be low / needs replacing].

If you do not, the key is charged by being in its dock in the car.

 

If your car battery is low/dead your door locks might not respond normally. Key batteries do not charge and need to be replaced when they go bad.

 

Drive the car with the key in it and it should charge. If that isn't it, the sensor for them is in the rear view mirror, already had to replace my wifes on her R53 and voila, it works again!

 

I am having a similar problem. The car is an '06 R52, does not have Comfort Access, and therefore the key fob battery is not accessible. I have tried driving it for the past two weeks to charge but it still doesn't do anything remotely, so perhaps the encased battery is dead? Please say more about the sensor on the rear view mirror. Its not clear to me what I should try.

Thanks
Jon
'06 MINI S/C

 

I had same problem a few months ago. Was the battery in key fob. Not replaceable. Had to buy a new key from dealer. Went to www.minipartsmass.com and found they had the key fob discounted. My local dealer honored there price. $158

 

Thanks, same message from my dealer... its new key time.

 

I didn't know the facelift keys were different. My 2002 most certainly has a replaceable battery for the remote portion. I bought a new one from an Amazon seller for less than two dollars shipped (no kidding).

Edit: I recall reading somewhere that the dealer does not supply the battery, and their official answer is to sell a new key. I think you will find if you crack open the old key, that there is a replaceable battery inside. I know that BMW keys from that era are sealed shut, and you have to force them open. As most MINI parts departments are in BMW dealerships, they are probably going with that info, since MINI doesn't list the battery separate.

Now the transponder part of they key does not have a replaceable battery. That IS charged by the key being in the ignition (according to Bentley). Good thing if that's true, because we can live without remote locking. Transponder not working can mess up your day!