Hello hello! So, new developments have come up with my '09 Clubman S (with 140k glorious miles, mind you). I noticed this winter that the lock/unlock button on my key fob was intermittent, and then the little button on the doors started acting out. One or the other always worked though, so I just figured maybe it needed charging. Then they recently both stopped working. Key fob works to start the car, both in the cradle and in my pocket, but I now need to lock/unlock with the physical key, and I can only open the barn doors if I reach in and use the unlock toggle in the dash, then go back and open them at the handle. Curious.

THEN, and very probably unrelated, I noticed the engine fan would not shut off for a good 5-7 minutes after turning the engine off- even if I had only started the car and then turned it off again, removing the key from the cradle. Just now, I unlocked the door manually, used the toggle to unlock the passenger door, and was putting my son's carseat in the back, when I heard the engine fan kick in. Key fob in my pocket, having never entered the cradle, me in the back seat and the outside temp at around 65°F.

The check engine light IS on since the fan issue, but not the reduced performance light. I had my local mechanic, who is generally great with my MINI, check the codes and he said there were a good 13 codes- told me he had to do some research to figure out what it ultimately all meant. In hindsight I wish I'd taken a quick picture of the codes off his reader. I haven't heard from him, so I thought I'd throw this out into the hive mind and see if anything sounds familiar to y'all. Anyone?...

 

I'm not sure about the fan issue, but I don't think it is related to the key. Do you have to use the fob to enter the car, or can it stay in your pocket? If you have to click the unlock button on the fob, you will need a new fob as the battery isn't accessible. The proximity type key has a battery that can be replaced. If you have the former type of key like me, you have to get it at the dealer.

 

I do have the CA (comfort access) which also has the little button on the door handle that you can push to unlock as long as you have the key- that button doesn't work, nor do the buttons on the fob. The only way to lock/unlock at this point is either with the physical key you pull from the fob or the toggle switch. Yeah I was thinking the key fob might be on its last legs, but what makes me think otherwise is that I can still start the car while it's in my pocket. Wouldn't that option go out too, if it were the internal rechargeable battery?

 

I just had the fan issue a few months ago. Needed the thermostat housing replaced. Took care of the problem.

 

Actually, there was a leak in the thermostat housing that was causing a false temperature reading, so replaced thermostat...

 

I'd still guess it is the battery. It only cost you a few bucks to replace yours, versus $2-400 for my key. It's a whole lot cheaper than paying someone to diagnose it as the battery - if that is the problem.

 

Ahh man! I just replaced the thermostat housing! I wonder if I got a bad one.

 

Also replaced the coolant pipe from the water pump to the thermostat at the same time.

 

Well, this is a constantly developing issue. Now, the key fob will NOT work to start the car if in my pocket- needs to be in the cradle. Also, the fan no longer stays on when I turn the engine off. Curous...

Sounds like they're unrelated though, and I probably just need to suck it up and order a new key. As for the fan, anyone have any thoughts? Check engine light is still on, maybe the mechanic has some new insight this week. I'll keep y'all posted.

 

If you have CA, you can replace the battery. It is just a CR2032 battery. Here is a video that takes just a minute to change.