Hi Everyone,

I purchased my mini six months ago (used) and read that I need to rotate keys so the key battery stays charged. Which I did once a week but a couple of months ago one key stopped working and now the other one once in a while I have to get really close or press it more than one.

Question, can the battery be chaged or do I need to buy a new key(s)? It doesn't look like the key comes apart.

Thank you,
TonyG

 

Look in the manual they have a coin battery that can be replaced.

 

Depends on what year model you have.... some are replaceable... some are rechargeable...

 

Even the later rechargeable keys have a battery in them, I've noticed the range of one of my keys has been going down as well and since my car is only three years old I'm questioning whether the key actually charges in the ignition.

 

My service guy told me that the 2nd gen key fob was charged from the ignition (yrs 05 and 06?).

 

I was told that too. I'm just a skeptic I guess, if it's rechargeable in theory it should last longer, right now the key fob in my mom's 02 Cavalier seems to have better battery performance :D
Maybe this is like the "speed-sensitive volume" control that the H/K head-unit has, the features in the owners manual, but not real.

 

The '02-'04 (Rover) keys used standard watch lithium batteries in them.

The '05-'08 (R53 Hardtop and 1st gen R52 convertibles) are BMW keys that recharge automatically in the ignition and there are no user replaceable batteries in those.

For the second gen MINI (2007, 2008, 2009 R56, R55 (Clubman) and R57 (Cabrio) the keyfobs also recharge automatically in the ignition slot. HOWEVER.... AND VERY IMPORTANT.... if your R56, R55 or R57 was ordered with the keyless "Convenience Entry" $500 option, then your keyfob requires the use of a standard lithium battery and it will not recharge in the ignition slot.

 

does anyone know if there is a way to start your car if your key fob dies? I have theconvenience package and have not seen a plce to start with the actual key. Thanks.

 

Don't know about the second gen cars, as this is a first gen thread......

 

Try holding the metal end of the key to your forehead or nose while you then press the button. It will "boost" the signal.

 

You won't need to worry about that, as long as the car sees a signal from the chip inside the fob, the car will still start, but you will have to put the key in it's slot. And of course your comfort access won't work.

As for the range deteriorating on the newer style key fobs, it can be attributed to the loss of initializations. If you reinitialize your keys it should increase the range a little bit.

1) Close all doors
2) put the key in the ignition, turn it to position 2(key on engine off)
3) remove the key from the ignition press and hold the unlock button
4) while holding unlock, press the lock button three times, then your doors will lock and unlock.
5) If you have a second key, repeat step 4 with that key after the 1st key has been initialized.

This will also help if the remote isn't working. Unless there is some other problem that's not the key or battery.

 

I have a key fob question..
Has anyone had this problem? I drove some where and then park the car , shut off the engine and the key fob wouldn't release and come out of the holder... Then I decided to restart the car and it wouldn't start..I called the dealer service dept. He said to call min road service..
I decided to try it on more time and the car started.I shut it off and the key fob released from the pad..

 

I had this problem with a 2008 loaner from the dealer; turns out it was an automatic and I shut the car off with the shifter still in drive, the key would not release and the car would not start if I remember correctly.

 

Thanks... That may have been it.. We have a automatic because of my wife back problem she might have trouble shifting.. I don't remember if I still had it was in drive or not.. That sure is a possibility..I'll keep a eye on it..I have had some trouble just trying to insert the key fob.. So with that issue compounded with the new problem of it not releasing the fob or even starting. It was some what unnerving for a 09..