R56 S Key isn't recognized !!
 

hello , R56 2010 S , No comfort access , the remote key works perfect and from distance , locks , unlocks and everything is just fine , but when i put the key into ignition , NOTHING , its like am putting air ! no ticking no sounds no lights absolute nothing ... sometimes after trying for 20+ times ( sometimes 100+ times ) it recognize once and i drive normally .. but this morning its just nothing at all after hour and half .

any idea what could be the problem ?

Check your battery make sure the terminals are tight

thnx for the reply , battery checked and working perfectly , i tried another working battery already .. the thing is simply the key isnt recognized till i try couple hundred times .. or sometimes after 10 or 20 times .

Do you have this problem with both keys?

The remote lock/unlock uses a different system (passive access) than the system that start the engine (Control unit / CAS). If the the other key works fine then chances are the key is bad. If both keys give you the same issue most likely something is wrong with the CAS system.

thnx for the reply ... i dont have 2 keys at all , i have one only , i do not have a spare , anyway .. i just towed the car to the garage ( which was extremely difficult due the fact that the steering lock was active ) and the key isnt doing anything , long story short, the steering lock was active so we couldnt two the car except backward iin straight line ... we make couple of phone calls to empty space for the car , 2 hours waiting , 45 for putting the gear into N manually and directly from the gear box and tow it only in one direction !! it was a PAIN IN THE BUTT ! i told the garage dont diagnose anything unless i was there .. i would like to know how step-by-step this gonna be diagnosed . will update tom if something happened .

BTW. Did you check the car battery and terminal connections? Its a long shot because the remote access antennas was working. Even a weak battery will wreak havoc on a MINI. Most garages wont be able to diagnose without just guessing unless they have an up to date dealer level BMW diagnostic equipment and a BMW Master Tech who knows how to use it. BMW switched to a completely new system on the R56. If it's the key you will need to special order from the Sealer (~$250) and have them program the CAS with the new key. They can also delete the spare key you lost too if you want. Good luck.