I have a 2010 Cooper without comfort access. When I use the key fob to unlock the doors in the morning (or anytime the car has been off and locked for a while), The doors unlock right away, but the lights don't flash right away--usually waits about 10 seconds. During that time, I cannot open the rear hatch. Also, the chimes are odd--they sound like BMW chimes rather than MINI (for a short bit--until the car sorts itself out during that 10 seconds or so). Locking the doors after exiting works fine, and so does unlocking again. I don't believe the fob battery is the problem, since the doors physically unlock immediately, and both keys behave the same way. I think the problem is with a module inside the car that deals with remote locking. Anyone else experienced anything like this? Any idea if there is an easy fix? Thanks!!

 

Hi k14npz, welcome to the forum.This is likely due to an issue with the FRM (footwell module)

Check around the FRM module for dampness/moisture or any water ingress. The FRM module is located in the driver footwell beside the bonnet opening latch (US model)

Also, if you have any recent issues with the starter batter (excessive discharge) or had the battery disconnected and reconnected for any reason the FRM module can get damaged from a voltage spike when reconnected.

Finally, try the second (CA) key and do drive with the key in the ignition slot for a few miles (say 20+) and see if that has any impact on your strange deled indicator behavior.

Are you both your windows electrically working okay?

Do both keys start the car without being in the ignition slot?

 

Thank you for the reply. Im not having any of the usual FRM symptoms (lights/windows/etc). I have heard that this might be due to the aftermarket radio install, specifically the required chime retention module not working correctly. ill keep digging and update results in case someone else runs into the issue

 

I fixed it!!! It turns out that if you install an aftermarket radio, you have to install this chime retention module to retain chimes. Well, it seems that it does more than just chimes. If you install an aftermarket radio, you need to run a wire from the battery to power it, because MINI have decided that they will turn off the "constant power" after a bit, causing most radios to lose their settings. The factory radio seems to have non-volatile memory that can tolerate the interruption of "constant power". It also seems that the chime retention module needs constant power. If the power is removed, the chime module takes 10 seconds to "boot up", and hence the delay and strange bings and bongs.
So I re-wired the chime retention module today, connecting my line from the battery to the module, just like I did to the radio, and now the unlocking/flashing lights work properly!
I'm super excited about this--its been doing the 10 second delay crap for literally years!!