For some strange reason, unbeknownst to me, my key stopped working in that the remote lock/unlock feature is not working. I have to actually insert the key into the lock to unlock or lock my car. Any idea why this is happening? Can I fix this myself, or must I take the key to the dealer?

Do you have any advice to offer me?

Lola

 

Does your other key work? Perhaps the battery died in the first one.

 

Does anyone know if the key is waterproof?

 

Waterproof, I guess there is ONE way to find out! Let me know what happens.

 

It will not survive a washing or a drying.
Not sure about a slight dunking.

Call your dealer - a new key will jar you for $$$$$

 

I washed mine. Took the cover off, removed the battery and let it dry in the sunshine. Worked fine. Your mileage may vary.

 

The receiving unit for the key signal is located in the rear view mirror and sometimes needs to be recoded. The dealers are aware of this and shouldn't charge you under warranty. Only takes about 10 mins too, so no biggie.

 

If one key works, but the other doesn't then there's a good chance your problem is just a defective battery in the non-functional key. Not a big deal, your dealer will replace the battery and it shouldn't cost you a dime...

 

The problem is that one of your keys lost it's association with the car. It is not a dead or defective battery. It has happened to me twice in the past year.

You need to have all the keys with you when you get in the car.

1. Get in the car and shut the doors. (don't open any of the doors until you are complete.

2. Put a key in the ignition and turn it to the first click, then back and take the key out. (you have 5 seconds to perform the next step)

3. HOLD DOWN the unlock button, and press the lock button 3 times, then release the unlock button. The doors of the car should lock or unlock. Don't touch the doors or door locks.

4. Once the doors have locked/unlocked then just do step 3 with the other keys. Just hold down the unlock button, press the lock 3 times and release the unlock button.

5. Once you do this with all the keys then you can open the door or put a key in the ignition and the programming is ended.

6. Then try the lock and unlock on all the keys. If they don't work you can try it again.

Steve

 

Hmm, thanks for the info everybody. I am begining to think that the receiving unit may need to be recoded because both of my keys are not working (Thanks for suggesting I should try the other key - wonder why I didn't think of that - Duh - or should I say Doh like Homer Simpson). Anyway, I will call the dealer and get them to look at the recieving unit. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I will have to use the key in the old fashioned way, by inserting it into the lock (now that sounded a bit kinky!).

Cherio,
Lola

 

Based on the original description of the symptons I wouldn't necessarily write this off as the same problem you have (I know the original poster has since added more info). It is indeed possible for it to have been a defective battery, I know because i had the same problem about 10 months ago and the solution you proposed did not work... It was in fact a defective battery that wasn't holding a charge. This on a car that at the time was 6 months old...

There was a rash of people who had batteries in their keys give up the ghost around this time last year...

 

Fair enough

Steve

 

Just for S&G, did you try the steps I outlined above?

Steve

 

I did try your steps and they worked like a charm! Thanks

Steve.

 

We just bought an 05 MCSC a few weeks ago and one of the keys never worked. I thought it was the key battery and charged it a lot (120 mile trip home after purchase). Needless to say, this didn't work, but Steve's steps did the trick! Thanks!

 

Hey - thank you. My remote functions on my key stopped working. I did a search and found this and tried the above and it worked on the first attempt. So Thank you for the tip.

Steve (another Steve)

 

Good info. And for what it's worth, one of mine went through the washer and the dryer and still worked. Just lucky maybe.

 

i donno if you have a newer key or an older key but i know there is no battery in the new ones. it charges while the car is on. id take it to the dealer and see what they can tell you. i know thats not much help but try it!

 

I have an '05 MCS. My battery stopped working Saturday. I had heard about the rechargeable battery thing and so I thought that maybe the key was stuck in my pocket in some way the buttons were being pushed and drained the battery. Today I knew I had a bit of driving to do so I figuerd it would re-charge. But it still didn't work. When I searched for my solution on NAM tonight I saw more than once that the re-chargeable key battery is a myth.

Steve's solution worked just fine.

 

Mine for the 2005 MC stopped working yesterday. The key fix above did not work. Wifes key was fine. I took it to Otto's MINI today and they are ordering me a new replacement key. If I get to keep the old key I will take it into the circuits lab and see what makes it tick! We love to do that sort of stuff!!!

Otto's MINI has been great!

 

What astounds me is how Steve found out how to do this?! Its kind of like the old video game cheat codes - press up-down-left-right-A-B-A-B then tap D 5 times - or whatever. Always made me wonder how anyone ever figured out how to do it. Always made me feel dumb LOL!

 

FWIW, I have read you are supposed to rotate your keys to keep them charged...

 

Hasn't happened yet, but good to know!

 

Great information. Quick question, if you have multiple keys and only need to reprogram one you don't have to have all keys present in the car and do the method with all the keys right? Just the one you need programmed?

 

I tried this on my 04 MCS, but when I released the unlock button nothing happened. It did not lock or unlock the doors automatically. Still went through the procedure with the other key but it did not work. Does this work with an 04 or am I doing something wrong?