I have a 2008 Mini cooper S hatchback.
I have had many problems with this car.

One of which is very annoying.

The car will not start after putting the
round key fob into the slot, and pressing the start
button, and the display shows a key symbol, with
a line thru it. If you push hard, on the fob, it will
start, as will pushing in and out repeatedly. Jabbing
the start button in a fairly aggressive manner will
also get it to start.

It opens the car lock, relocks, and unlocks the hatchback,
when standing outside the car. So the signal is working.

Yes, i've bought a brand new key fob for 140 bucks.
Yes, i've tried all the various tricks posted online, to activate it.

The tech at the Mini dealership, says, all you have to do
is start the car, the first time, which it did.

I even took apart my old key fobs, and took out the battery, and
replaced it with a drugstore battery, as described on a online
how to. The old restored keyfob, unlocks,locks, hatchback, and it
still has same problem.

SO...it is not the fob,or the fobs battery. It also has a new Car battery.

So, to recap...new battery in old key fob, new key fob, new car battery,
and strong pressure on inserting and repeated jamming of start switch
are only ways to make it start.

Can anyone help me?

 

Sounds like the problem is with the key slot. Or whatever you call the part in the dashboard where the key goes. I don't know what is involved with replacing it, but it sounds like it needs replacing. Not sure why the dealer didn't say anything about that, though.

 

You got a key for 140.00? Where? My dealer just quoted me over 500.00 for a new key.

 

Yeah seriously, new key FOB's are $500 - $600 for a single key FOB. I stopped using the place where the key fob inserts because sometimes it didn't start the car, however there is another control module for key less entry and key less starting.

 

As posted previously by yours truly:

If you need to REPLACE the key, call the BMW key hotline at 888-575-5397. I paid $163 for a replacement and it was shipped overnight to my house.
I had called several Mini dealers and they all wanted between $350-400 and I would have to make 2 trips, one to order it and then to pick it up.