I searched the forums, so apologies if this has been discussed and my google-fu is failing.

2008 clubman, 89,000 miles. No inherent problems except some front end damage repaired almost two years ago and now the suicide door doesnt want to open. Regular oil change, still 38 mpg, etc. I plan on driving Reggie until the wheels fall off.

However, in the last month both car fobs have started causing the key error to pop up AFTER about 10 minutes of driving. The car doesn't stall, everything still works, all the key programming, etc. but the little crossed out key pops up and stays for as long as a minute sometimes, the goes away. The doors don't always lock the first time I push the battery either.

The nearest dealership is 250 miles, so I'd really rather not make the drive for something that might be minor. Should we clean the fob rest with a q-tip and alcohol? Anyone heard of this happening?

Thanks everyone

 

No, don't really need to do that unless the FOB is not fitting.

Do you have comfort access or the regular system? If you have the regular system then your antenna in the FOB holder in the dash has probably failed or come loose.

If you have the comfort access system (little button on your driver door handle) then you need to replace the batteries in your FOBs.

 

Sorry, my email never came thru that I got a reply.

I do not have the comfort access system, so I will look into the antenna. That would make more sense because its so random, and could be jarred loose by our gravel road.

Thanks!

 

I have this same problem but its just with the car not unlocking or locking when I push the button. It's def not the battery since I had to order a new fob (gf lost it) and it was doing the same thing.