Hello,

I lost the remote key to my mini cooper 2003. My car is a UK car which I think only affects the frequency the key transmits on.

Rather than pay a fortune for a new key when my car isn't really worth all that much, combined with my love of DIY, I thought I'd have a go at reprogramming it myself.

I have an AK90 key programmer, which requires the EWS unit to be removed from the car. I expected this to be fairly easy, however I have no idea how to remove the blasted thing from my car.

I was hoping someone may have a suggestion or perhaps tell me that I can program a blank key (I have a blank key including electric fob) some other way. The old key that I lost had 2 buttons but this one has three buttons. I guess one of the buttons would be unused.

Here is a photo of my EWS unit, it appears to be secured with tamper proof bolts just to be as annoying as possible.

All help and advice appreciated!

Photograph of device in driver footwell

 

There's a lot here- where to start.

First- a three button, flat key is incompatible with your 2003. The pre-facelift models use the two button keys only. There is no way to use just two of the buttons- they are different systems made by different manufacturers. The two button keys are a Rover/Valeo design, the three button keys are a BMW design.

There are three distinct parts to a remote MINI key. The cut blade, the remote board and the EWS chip. All are independent of each other.

The blade can be cut at any reputable locksmith. This allows the doors to be opened with the blade and the ignition to be turned.

The car's BC1 module must be coded to accept commands from a different remote, not one that was made for or came with the car. There is no series of button pushes that will "pair" a two button remote with a 2003 MINI. As far as I know your AK90 key programmer will not hook to your BC1 and allow this to happen. A MINI dealer or other BMW service center that can do coding is needed to make the remote board work with your car.

The EWS chip must be programmed. This can indeed be done with your AK90, your car's EWS unit and a new ID-44 chip for the AK90 to write to. There are 10 available EWS slots; your AK90 will write the ID-44 chip for the next slot. However, if and when you or the next owner orders a key from MINI, they will also write to this slot, rendering the new key from MINI useless- it won't start the car. There's a thread on here that I will link to later written by a member from Portland, Oregon, USA that details the problems he had in this situation.

In the end, it is probably just easiest to order a new remote key from MINI for your car. Here's a website with lots of good info about these keys:

https://sites.google.com/site/minian...verremotekeys/

Bruce

 

Thanks for the info, that is somewhat disheartening!

I was under the impression that you didn't need to touch the BC1 module, only the EWS, even though I'd need to find a different key (which may prove impossible as I've not been able to find a blank 2 button key so far).

I was planning on selling it so I guess I will just sell it as it is with one key.

Many thanks.

 

The EWS is to program the ID44 immobilizer chip. The BC1 is to program the remote door lock for a 2 button fob (2002-2004).

 

I'm guessing the one key you have is the "general, non-remote" one.

You could:

1- order another one of these. Cheaper than the remote key, and you get a new cut blade and properly programmed EWS chip.

2- order a new remote style case.

3- get a used remote key on eBay (make sure it is a 433Mhz one). Here's a cheap one I found. You only need the remote board out of this so it's OK the case is beat. There's others in better condition, too. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B12-GENUIN...MAAOSwCU1YvpdZ

4- put 6 digit number on circuit board into this: http://www.reeves.tv/mini.html and get the barcode number that a BMW coder will need to code the car to accept the remote. Hope it works.

5- put the blade and EWS chip from your non remote key and remote board in your new case.

6- enjoy your DIY key.

 

Thank you everybody for replying and helping me out, it was much appreciated

What a nice community!

 

Yes, its a nice community that helped a lot for the cooper blank issue. I wish i must come here earlier so that i will save my money from hiring 24 hour locksmith near me for programming blank keys.

 

Locksmith white plains technician knows that BC1 is to program the remote door lock and they it's been done really well.

 

Locksmith white plains technician knows that BC1 is to program the remote door lock and they it's been done really well.

 

Bruce
06 R52 car
I wrote an email to you but I figured I would put my problem key on here for someone else who has my situation.
Bought a after market key with transponder chip and circuit board
Installed it in an exiting cut key I had
Works the doors,
Only works ignition when:
I insert the working key and turn the key 4X to on position
then immediately insert the "new" after market key
Turns engine on everytime
Problem: If it is removed from the ignition, it stops working in the ignition
ANY ADVICE PLEASE?
Thanks
Bru