Key fob won't open car!

[Big Al.]

OK guys Mrs Big Al's Mini has got the hump and using either key fobs it's ignoring me and won't let me in.

OK I would suspect that I can open the car BUT the alarm is going to be set off.

The steering light alarm indicator is flashing as per usual, and we used it yesterday so I don't have a battery issue AFAIC.

So any suggestions, I'm at a loss at the mo.

TYIA

[hyperblue]

Unlock the car with the key, then put the key in the ignition quickly. Should stop the alarm.

What year is the car?

[Big Al.]

OK I'll give that a try in the morning, it's 2004 BTW.

[RKDE]

does it work any where else? it could be local radio equipment which has been known to effectively scramble the key signal. does the spare work? if it does its the battery.

[Big Al.]

Well seems to me that it just had the hump, it's working fine this morning.

Unlocks, locks, unlocks no problem, so as I can now get in I'll take it in and get it plug into the dianostic gear and get it checked out.

If anything comes to light on the diagnostics that I feel my help other owners I'll report back.

Thanks for your help.

[RKDE]

Sounds like it was being jammed

There used to be a car near us that every so often it would page the owner after the alarm had gone off and we couldn't open any of the cars. I would say that its the same thing near you.

[Big Al.]

Well had it plugged in at check out, NOTHING showed up.

So it's still a mystery, will wait and see if it happens again.

[OldSkoolRS]

Sorry to drag an old thread up but we picked up a '56 plate Mini One for the OH last night and went to get something out of it this morning and then it wouldn't lock afterwards. I can't see where the key comes apart to change the battery, but I've also read that the key might recharge itself when in the car, but there were divided opinions on this. Can anyone confirm what this model should have in terms of key battery?

[Bugeyeandy]

If your key looks like this



Then it is supposed to recharge itself whenever it is in the ignition. You need to use the keys fairly regularly (every few months at least) to prevent them from going flat.

You can open them up and solder in a new battery assembly but you need to glue the case together afterwards. They take a Panasonic VL-2020 battery.

[Bugeyeandy]

p.s. The key blade is missing in that pic, normally has metal blade stick out of the end.

[OldSkoolRS]

Thanks, it looks pretty much like that (she's out in it at the moment) so we'll see how it goes otherwise as it only came with one key, we might just buy another unless they're frighteningly expensive (and remember to use the spare occasionally).

[OldSkoolRS]

Yes, it's definately that type. Had a bit of a run in it this afternoon (she even let me drive it ) but after we got home I went to open and lock it a few times and it will open every time, but not lock, so I've used the key. Maybe it's just me, but I'm sure it locked before just pressing the 'Mini' logo in the middle.

Impressed with it so far. It has 17" wheels like those fitted to some convertables and it really feels planted to the road without feeling too firm. Just need a couple of odd bits and pieces to make it 100% (front fog light chrome trim is missing for example). I don't believe the garage serviced it before we collected it though as the oil looks similar to that in my diesel Audi...and this is a 1.6 petrol.

[OldSkoolRS]

Found that if you just unlock the car, to get something out of it but don't put the key in the ignition, then it won't lock via the remote. Seems a bit of a pain but at least I now know why it works for the OH and yet it didn't seem to work for me.