I have a 2006 MCS convertible. I took it out of winter storage today to realize that both my key fobs will not lock or unlock the doors (no problems starting the car). By searching through this fine forum, I found several procedures to reprogram the keys. None worked. I also found out that the key does not have a replaceable battery and recharges while in the ignition. I guess it's possible the batteries in there are dead since the car has been driven in 6 months or so.
Do I have to physically drive the car to recharge it, or will just sticking it in the ignition while the car sits in the driveway suffice?
I do know at a certain point I managed to completely drain the car battery while playing with my convertible top this winter (to lube up the hinges and pivots). I wonder if this has anything to do with it?

 

The car needs to be turned on. It will definitely work if the car is sitting with engine idling. It might even work without the engine running as long as the ignition is switched on, but I'm not sure.

 

Spring has sprung so run to top down and take a little trip to someplace you've never been then see how the key works.

 

Thanks for the responses (very much appreciated). I drove the car around all weekend and it's still won't work. I even tried the procedure found here (turn key Ignition to first click, then press lock 3x while holding down the unlock) and still nothing. At this point I am certain it has something to do with me allowing the battery drain completely (wherever my key fob memory on the car is stored must have been erased or something). Anyone else have something I can try before I bring it to the dealer and get hosed.

 

Below is a Youtube vid for a battery replacement on a BMW. Their keys are very close to ours. I have one key with dead battery but have not gotten around to replacing it yet.

 

I replaced the battery in my original key and the unlock button is defective. I need a dead key to scavenge a button switch from.

 

I'm not totally convinced it's the fob battery (since both key fobs stopped working at the very same time). I am almost convinced it has to do with the time I let my battery run down completely and somehow lost the programming. Passed by the Mini dealership today and the service advisor just repeated to me the procedure I outlined above.
Anyone aware which fuse is responsible for supplying this module. I figure I'll check this out before tearing open the rear view mirror.

 

I don't want to be that guy who revives old threads...... but, I will. Just giving this one last shot in case someone out there can help me. I caved the other day and brought my Mini (2006 MCS conv.)to the dealership . The technician tried the procedure outlined in these forums several times to sync the key FOBS to the car to no avail. He wasn't sure what the problem was (either the keys or the mirror module). When I asked him what he can do to fix it, he responded with "first we'll order two new keys and if that doesn't work we'll order a new mirror". Not crazy about dropping 1K when all is said and done on something that might not fix my problem.
I know for a fact the batteries in the keys are good (tested them at the parts store where the machine tells you if the battery is good if the transmit strength is good).
I opened up the mirror and no signs of water or corrosion. As I mentioned originally, this started after I let the car battery die down.
What else should I be checking. I remember reading BCM somewhere. I can even go as far as ordering one of those diagnostic cables with the BMW software (been waiting for a reason to buy one)and play around with it if there is something there I can program keys with.

 

Did you ever get your problem solved with the key fob?

 

Yes. Basically after trying all the different pairing procedures about 100 times (i'm not kidding), I went to one of those pick and pull scarp yards. I got a used rearview mirror (for about 15 bucks), unplugged the old one, plugged the new one and all the keys paired and began working. Since my original mirror had more features that the pulled one didn't, I opened it up and swapped the module responsible for the key fobs. Till this day, I can't understand why the original module stopped working (ah the joys of Mini ownership)