Key fob battery flat R56
Discussion
Just thought this might be useful for others who have an R56 Mini without the comfort access (not sure if this was even available in the UK??). Comfort access has a standard battery that can be replaced....
Basically the key I use for the Mini now does not unlock or lock the doors remotely. Reading on the web suggested that a new key would be needed, as my local dealer also suggested. (at a cost in excess of £100)
The R56 key does not have a battery as such but is recharged every time it is placed in the ignition slot in the car via induction charging.
Someone had suggested using an induction charging tablet plate (which I don't have!), so used the induction charger plate for my Nokia 820 - I figured it would not matter if it did not work as the key needed to be replaced anyway...
Guess what - it has worked and the remote is now fully functioning again (I will see how long this lasts though.....)
Subsequently I have read that BMW keys are the same (shock/ horror!) and you can also charge them using a electric toothbrush charger..... not tried this though and not sure how close you need to get them or how to mount them.
Just thought this might be useful as I did not find anything else on the net with regards to the Mini R56 key not working the remote central locking....
Mike
Basically the key I use for the Mini now does not unlock or lock the doors remotely. Reading on the web suggested that a new key would be needed, as my local dealer also suggested. (at a cost in excess of £100)
The R56 key does not have a battery as such but is recharged every time it is placed in the ignition slot in the car via induction charging.
Someone had suggested using an induction charging tablet plate (which I don't have!), so used the induction charger plate for my Nokia 820 - I figured it would not matter if it did not work as the key needed to be replaced anyway...
Guess what - it has worked and the remote is now fully functioning again (I will see how long this lasts though.....)
Subsequently I have read that BMW keys are the same (shock/ horror!) and you can also charge them using a electric toothbrush charger..... not tried this though and not sure how close you need to get them or how to mount them.
Just thought this might be useful as I did not find anything else on the net with regards to the Mini R56 key not working the remote central locking....
Mike
Bedazzled said:
Interesting but there's a physical key inside the remote key, just press the little silver button to release it, then open the driver's door and charge the key in the car?
I know this - but I think because I am only doing a short commute, the key fob was not charging or there is a problem with the charging circuit within the car itself. I tried driving for an hour to charge the fob and it would not work..... but this has....mike, i know this has been a while but i think i'm suffering the same problem. the daft thing is i can charge my key using my electric toothbrush charger but even after a 2 1/2 hour 200ish mile trip my battery has gone flat in my fob. are you aware of any issues with the charging of the key whilst in the ignition? i'm not seeing much about this on the forums. i'm torn between just buying a new key and having it expire after a couple of weeks or having the car diagnosed by BMW..sounds expensive.
Hi
Sorry I did not completely finish the story. I had similar issues to you. I could charge the key independently of the car, but then when in use for a while the battery started failing again and would not charge in the car????
I am now using my second key, which is behaving as it should. So I wonder if, toothbrush chargers provide more current than the car. Once the battery has been flattened once it then needs more current to charge? I am no expert, but just making observations on my experience.....
Mike
Sorry I did not completely finish the story. I had similar issues to you. I could charge the key independently of the car, but then when in use for a while the battery started failing again and would not charge in the car????
I am now using my second key, which is behaving as it should. So I wonder if, toothbrush chargers provide more current than the car. Once the battery has been flattened once it then needs more current to charge? I am no expert, but just making observations on my experience.....
Mike
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