reddog,
I'm new to the MINI learning experience and realize things can go differently from one year MINI, to another. Two weeks ago my original key quit operating properly (no remote lock-unlock, windows etc.)
When I bought my car two years ago, it had no spare. I ordered a spare from MINI and just let it hang for a spare. Had no idea whether it was the fault of the original key or the car but I took the spare key out and tried to program it, with the instructions that came with it. The car was parked in the garage and I tried repeatedly to program the remote-fob.
Nothing. I just figured I'd be doing everything manually and would figure on opening the boot manually if it needed. I usually do light hauling in the back seat folded down, area. Which in the beginning led to my finding out how to fix my seat(another story).
I backed the car out of the garage and tried programming again. It programmed !! The orginal will not work remotely and it is hanging as the emergency spare. Called MINI and was told that a key can just quit working and there's no way to fix but order a new key. Luckily I already had one.
Just passing this on and am very interested in this whole topic, no matter what year the vehicle is.

 

Thanks for the info. I have the Comfort Access Keyless entry on our '08 Clubman S.It is my understanding that this is a totally different system than our 04 Cooper S had. On ours, you have a "Fob" that can be inserted into the dash, or you can just have it with you and get in and start the car. Supposedly, there is no owner accessable programming method for the fob if it loses connection with the car. I guess I'm lucky the car will still start, which seems to tell me the key is still communicating with the car, just won't operate the locks...strange... Doug

 

In the paper I recieved with my new key (Technical service-General Electrical systems bulletin ) it states that "vehicles produced 07/2004 and later, a new remote key initialization is required (SI M 09 06)."
I know we're 3 years apart on vehicles and it very well may have changed since 2006. Can't imagine it changing frequently, with every new model and year.

 

And, my original key still starts my car and unlocks everything manually. My production date is 07-29-2004 and is a 2005.

 

Hello all.. i recently lost my keys and bought a replacement. After several attempts..I did get the key programmed where it would lock and unlock the doors, but the trunk button doesnt work?? Its a 2005 model and any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated. Lovin my mini..but crawling into the back seat to unlatch trunk is crappy..

 

Got an appointment to take the Mini back to the dealer this upcoming Tuesday and leave her until the issue is fixed. We shall see what happens....
Doug

 

So after about 2 weeks at the dealership, I finally got some news today. They have decided that the CAS module has failed. Sounds probable and since it happened right after jump starting the car, I have to think the events are related. I told the service dept that although the car was out of warranty in age, it was in warranty as far as miles go, and since the car has repeatedly had a dead battery from "short trips" I really wanted Mini USA to step up and cover all or some of the related expenses from this repair.
I heard today that Mini has refused to handle any part of the costs of the repair. The dealership is trying to be as supportive as possible, but they can't, nor do I expect them to, absorb all the cost of the repair.
The service advisor that I have been dealing with agrees that this is not a "wear item" and while electronic items do fail, it seems that no one has seen one of these fail, and even diagnosing the problem was difficult.
Anyway, looks like the car may be fixed next week. Going to cost around 750, despite dealer concessions to keep the cost down. Right now, I'm happy with the dealership, but unhappy with Mini USA. My plan is to register a complaint with Mini customer service and see if by being a squeaky wheel, I can get some support. I hate having to do this, but I don't feel like I'm getting the help I should be.
I'll post after I get the car back and let you folks know if the new CAS module fixed the issue.
Doug

 

So we heard from the dealer today and the car is fixed. They replaced the CAS module and reprogrammed the car and now all is well. The recall waterpumps arrived as well, so they went ahead and did that repair while they had the car. All good news.
The only downer to this story is the car has 61500 miles, so is still in warranty as far as miles go, but out of warranty as far as years go. Despite the fact that the dealership had never seen this issue, that no one at MINI could tell them what exactly was going on and that they basically had to use a process of elimination to finally "guess" that the CAS module was the problem, MINI does not want to help out with the cost of the repair.
We have initiated a complaint with MINI and hope to get them to at least cover some portion of the repair since it seems the part was defective.
As much as we like the car, I don't know if I want to keep it for the long haul without buying an extended aftermarket warranty. The ones I have looked into are running around 3250 for a 50,000 miles of coverage....
Undecided as to what to do, but the car is fixed and we plan to get it tomorrow. Thanks for all the suggestions and support, Doug

 

what to do if you only have one key and non comfort access?