I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S with a FOB problem.

Recently, the FOB stopped opening the doors remotely. The FOB still locks the car remotely. Anyone know if this could be a car or FOB issue?

I only have one FOB, can I reset it?

- rob

 

I've also read that you can replace the FOB battery, but looking at my key, that doesn't look possible. Plus, it does unlock the car so the battery must by okay. (no?) Any suggestions?

 

Does the toggle switch in the car unlock the doors? Does the fob fail to unlock both doors and the rear hatch as well?

 

My girl's has the same problem. It does not unlock the doors and only locks the passenger door.

Help!!

-Gene

 

The doors and hatch as well as the remote window/sunroof functions do not respond to the FOB.

The interior toggle switch locks/unlocks the doors and hatch.

I can still get in the car with the key, just not with the FOB remote.

 

The doors and hatch as well as the remote window/sunroof functions do not respond to the FOB unlocking. Everything locks with the FOB.

 

Pre-05 Keys didn't have the rechargeable battery if I remember correctly. You can try changing out the battery. To open up the fob, just get a flat and pry it from where the keyring tab is, you'll see a small notch where you can start. It's a CR2032 I believe.

Could be that the key is going bad also. I tried to get my key programmed and that's what was wrong with mine.

 

Thanks, I'll check that out.

I may have used it inside the car which apparently is a bad idea. Is there a way to reset the original key that you know of?

 

rob c,

while you're in there, check the circuit board. the contact for the unlock button in my remote had broken off and was laying in the bottom of the remote housing (apparently i've been mashing buttons like a gorilla, lol). i ordered two used keys from ebay (1) was the 3-button version. i'm going to de-solder the contact off of that board & solder it on to mine (i figured it's worth a shot before paying to have a new key made).

 

You can try the directions in https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-r53-how.html

 

After taking it apart I discovered that I "gorilla-ed" mine too, because the button was laying inside the key chamber when I opened it.

Since it seperated from where it's delicately soldered, I have a friend who solders jewelry and I'm going to see if she can re-attach it.

I have a second two button FOB key that looks like identical to the first key except the silver logo open button is black, not silver and I replaced the battery and it doesn't work as a remote.

Is it possible it would work if it was somehow initialized or reset?

 

you can reset it by taking the battery out. i believe you can initialize any key as long as you have one that works, but not completely sure . there is a write-up about that somewhere.

btw, take care when repairing your key. the legs on those contacts are fragile.

i wonder how many broken contacts are sitting under those fancy "wing" buttons.

 

unfortunately you probably need to replace the key, part of the little circuit board inside went bad i'm thinking.