So I opened my hatch today to put my book bag in the back and it wont close! I have tried locking and unlocking the car and also manually trying to get it to latch nothing works! I really do not want to drive 300 miles for Baron Mini to fix my Hatch. Any ideas? Thanks

 

Hit the boot release button on your "Key" a few times. If that doesn't work call Road Side Assistance.

 

I did do that a couple of times and nothing. I called Baron Mini and the servicer manager was suppose to call me back but I am starting to doubt that will happen...

 

randomly my R56 will do the following, I open the hatch either by button on remote, or with hatch handle, I push closed, the hatch bounces open. Really annoying . So when this happens I have hold the remote button to release the hatch for 10 secs, it resets the hatch, then it latchs when I close it. Not sure if it is the as your issue

 

I was going to post a thread about the very same thing happening to me today.

I've had my '08 MCS for 6 weeks and 633 miles on the odometer and after I loaded somethings in the hatch I went to close it and it kept popping back open.Needless to say I was getting rather PO'ed after 10 minutes of trying to close it so I just left it open and drove to Vista BMW/MINI.On the way I get pulled over by a cop!!
He said he couldn't read the license plate (on the hatch part) and I explained to him the hatch just won't close and was on the way to MINI service to have it repaired.He let me go with no ticket or warning...PHEW!!

Anyway it turned out to be a bad hatch latch (<--say that 10 times fast..LOL) which they had in stock and was back on my way in a hour.Car was also washed after the warranty work was completed.

So it sounds like you might have a faulty hatch latch based on your description.

 

Well mine is tied down and it is so annoying the mini beeps at me saying the hatch is open every time I slow down to around 5 mph...Well the manager from Baron Mini never called me back..I will call him tomorrow and maybe they can send me a hatch latch.

 

Is the latch open?

I've had the latch on my 02 close, when the hatch wasn't properly closed and then you can slam all you want and it ain't gonna close. Simply pressing the button would not cause it to open because it needed the pressure of being closed against the hasp to pop.

So if your latch is in the closed position get a screw driver in there and apply some pressure as if it was properly closed against the hasp, and then press the button. Mine popped open then and all was well.

A good time to spray a little lubricant like lithium grease in there too....

If it is open...it must not be closing, so again I'd try to duplicate the action of the hasp and snap it closed then open a few times adding some grease in there....

 

I will try that! Here is an update I got a call from the service manager at Baron Mini. He says that I should call Road Side Assistance and they will tow my Mini to Baron fix it and tow it back to me, they also said they will pay for a rental car $35 a day for five days! All that for a $86 part. My next concern is what shape will I get my Mini back. I have all weekend to think about what i am going to do. Fun fun!

 

I replaced the hatch lock myself and now the door closes BUT the car still thinks the hatch is open and keeps beeping at me to close the hatch. *cries*
Well I tried holding down the button to release the hatch for 10 seconds it did not reset(the car was off)...I had to turn the car on and hold down the hatch release button for 10 seconds to reset. NOW IT WORKS

 

I read your prior post about the towing to an from so I wonder did you end up just getting the hatch lock sent to you to install it yourself?

Anyway excellent to hear that it is now finally fixed.

 

I have an 03 and have this problem from time to time as many MINIs do. One quick close-fisted whack to the right of the latch will unstick it and then the door will latch properly! I didn't believe it until I had to try it once and it worked!

 

I had a friend pick up the hatch lock from KC and he was coming down to Wichita this weekend so everything worked out nice for me!

 

Oh good to hear that.

 

I had this problem on my delivery demo. Hah!

My salesman took off the trim around the latch. There was a white plastic pin that was part of the mechanism that was stuck in the halfway position. We just poked it and it went back to normal. This would also match the person who said whack it on the right side(this is where that pin was).

I have a feeling the issue will come back but I'll cross my fingers.

 

I have 230 miles on my 08 MCS basically identical to your Skigirl, happened to me today while i was trying to get my books out. Giving the stuff a shot ill see if i can fix it.

 

Not to be weird or anything, and I'm sure you've checked this, but you're certain your spare key isn't in the car at all?

My wife had left her key in her purse and when she tried to close the hatch it kept poping back open. She was near frantic that she broke my baby, then she realized the key was in the car, in her purse.

I'm pretty sure you checked already, but just throwing that out there Well .. not that your key in a purse but it's not in the car :D

 

As Sean B. said - If your dealer is kinda far away try it yourself. Remove the back most plastic piece that covers the latch by removing 3 or 4 clips on the front of the plastic by the carpet, pull the weather stripping off where it touches the plastic part and then pull. The plastic will unsnap from 4 clips that hold the top part down. You'll have free access to the latch mechanism. Look for a white piece that slides along a little groove and move it. It may start working then.

 

ok , fixed , took a few minutes but i located the pin that jammed it up. Its a plastic pin that fills the hole for what was previously used for the hatch emergency-open cable to go through. I removed it and now alls fine.

 

I had this same problem, and took the rear plastic cover off and noticed an emergency release cable leading towards the front of the car. (I have only had the car for over 5 years now...) I have a feeling that just pulling the release ring and exercising that cable and latch may have solved my problem quite easily. Just pop the back seat up and you will find the ring in the center in front of the seat belt receivers. Hope this helps someone someday.

 

The cable is only installed (or should only be installed) on older models that have the battery in the rear. My 09 has the battery under the hood and no cable.

 

I have a 2009 MC that has just started the same random rear hatch lid openings. I'll try the 10second reset today & see if that works, otherwise she's going on the hook for a ride to the dealership. I called the dealership yesterday & basically was told that this was not a known issue with them. Ain't it just amazing what you can find out in a few clicks on the internet. Thanks to all who have replied & addressed this issue.