So this came out of nowhere, but drove home yesterday with Cooper seemingly fine . Later I go to leave and my fob isn't working. I used the manual key to get in to find that my battery is apparently toast. I hook up my charger to see if it'll start, but the second I did my lights flash and lock -also locking the keys in the car. Comfort Access and hatch only result in a quiet series of clicks from the RR quarter panel . Disconnected the battery to let the system drain and to charge it over night .Check it again this morning with a topped off battery and still nothing but clicking from the RR quarter .

Does anyone have any idea what's going on?

 

Follow up: Got into it with a coat hanger... Damn that was too easy and thankfully the locks pop with that handle pull. Once I pulled the keys from the slot it turned over without hesitation.

But still, WHY? anti-theft maybe?

 

MINIs do many strange things with a low battery.

How old is your battery? If it is over five years old, it's time for a new one.

 

can you turn the radio on or lights, and does it crank? do you have an obd reader?


never mind...didnt see updates lol

 

The battery was fine before I parked it. I just charged it for good measure. The battery is three years old.

 

Check the charging voltage. When running, a volt meter across the battery should read about 14VDC. If it's reading 12VDC then your alternator is not charging the battery.

 

Check for water leaks, just remove your step sills and pull up your carpets a little, make sure there is no moisture it can really cause havok. I had some electrical gremlins turned out previous owner had windshield replaced and they didn't install the exterior A pillar trim clip seals, not a good situation out here in the rainy pnw.

 

Checked. Alternator is charging