Hey folks, made this video about 2 months ago. My mini's battery died leaving my keyless entry useless. Upon trying to use the manual lock, the key was just continuously spinning. When I looked online for tips, found that many people with some 2003-2004 coopers had similar issues with their manual locks just continuously spinning when faced with the same situation. So this is what I came up with:

 

Wow! All that to charge the battery!

Couldn't you just pop the hood and then charge the battery through there? (there's a + terminal in the engine compartment).

 

Do you know of a good way to do that when the car is locked?

 

https://www.*********************/fo...785-post8.html
Jack up both sides of front, put on jack stands
Remove front wheels
Remove screws and plastic expanding clips that hold wheel well liners.
Remove liners.
Both bonnet latches should be easily accessible to release by hand - just push the lever where the cable sheath ends forward. Then release the safety latch from the front normally.

It beats charging the car in an awkward way.

 

I wasn't charging the car from under there, lol. I gave the car just enough juice so that the keyless entry could unlock the door so that I could pop the hood afterwards. From there, I popped the hood and boosted the car. Took about 5 min to do it all.

 

I know, but it looked scary when you jacked your car up on dirt and used a screw driver as a + cable extension.

 

The door lock cylinders on the early models weren't meant for daily use- the pot metal that they are made out of frequently breaks. I've replaced mine and the one in my wife's R50 has gone out and needs replacing as well. They are about $100 or so at the dealer (they order them via VIN so your key fits) and if you are handy you can DIY the job.

Your problem illustrates the problems that can occur when you let something like this go- if you have an R50 this won't work as the battery is under the hood. You would have to use the method suggested by H_C to release the bonnet latches.


Bruce

 

Exactly. I wouldn't do what he did when I was young, foolish, and poor.
I would at least take both front and wheels off and put them under the side that is jacked up instead of being made a English minced meat pie.