Door Key Issues

[GLASEM]

All of a sudden.........my door keys no longer unlock the doors by pushing the button
Looking at the fob.......don't see if it comes apart to replace a battery
It's a pain manually unlocking the doors

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The 2nd-gen cars without "comfort access" (where you don't have to put the key in the dash to start the car) do not have replaceable batteries. They would be re-charged by being plugged into the car. That said, the batteries can eventually wear out. I have read of people carefully opening the key fob, de-soldering the old battery, and soldering a new one in. I believe they opened up the fob by cutting it? Not a job I would like to do, myself...

If you do have comfort access, the battery is intended to be replaced.

Not sure how the 1st-gen cars work.

--DD

[GLASEM]

Should have said my Mini was a 2006.........

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Not sure, then. I'm guessing the key is replaceable, but I don't know nearly enough about 1st-gen MINIs to say.

--DD

[mukilteofred]

My 2003 mini key fobs do the same. Lock but will not unlock. The lock pressure switch located on the pc board of the key breaks the solder connection due to the larger footprint where you depress it.. The lock switch seems more durable. The fobs split in half,

[mukilteofred]

Correction of previous post My 2003 mini key fobs do the same. Lock but will not unlock. The unlock pressure switch located on the pc board of the key breaks the solder connection and is usually separated from the PC board. Too small to re solder!

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

GLASEM - Do they only not unlock? Do they lock your MINI with the fob?

I believe the R53 key fob should recharge while in the ignition. It is common for the keys to completely drain when the keys aren’t used for long periods. I highly suggest you swap your keys between each other and use them evenly so that they both recharge properly. Unfortunately, 2005-2006 keys have the battery soldered in place and they are sonically welded together.

Once the keys are recharged you'll need to follow this programming instruction below:

1. Have all the keys on you when you get into the car.
2. Get in and shut the doors (don’t open them until you are finished programming)
3. Put a key in the ignition and turn on (no need to start the engine) then back off and take the key out within 5 seconds.
4. Now hold down the unlock button, while continuing to hold it down press the lock button 3 times, then release the unlock button. The doors will now lock and unlock. DON’T open the doors or door locks yet.
5. Repeat action 4 for ALL other keys.
6. Once you’ve finished doing this to all the keys you can open the doors and/or use your keys in the ignition.
7. Try to lock and lock the doors remotely with all the key fobs. If they don’t work try again but make sure the sequence is followed completely as it’s critical.

If recharging your fob does not work, it may be that your battery/batteries are far too gone. I have seen individuals crack open the fob and use a soldering pencil to unsolder the old battery and to solder a new one in place. I'd only suggest this to an experienced DIY'er.

Let me know about my question above though: Do they only not unlock? Do they lock your MINI with the fob?