Changing Battery in the Key???

[robbiebrown34]

The battery is running low on my Mini key (2004 model) its becomming so bad that i have to stand next to the car to open it! I know how to open the key and change the battery. The question is: Will it still work after?
I have heard that you have to take it to the dealer to get the battery changed, because it "flashes" the key and it will no longer work on the car. Is this true? if so, how much will this cost?
I do have a spare key which works, but to be honest, its in perfect condition and i dont wanna use it unless i need to e.g. i lose the other key or something.

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbiebrown34 (original)

The battery is running low on my Mini key (2004 model) its becomming so bad that i have to stand next to the car to open it! I know how to open the key and change the battery. The question is: Will it still work after?
I have heard that you have to take it to the dealer to get the battery changed, because it "flashes" the key and it will no longer work on the car. Is this true? if so, how much will this cost?
I do have a spare key which works, but to be honest, its in perfect condition and i dont wanna use it unless i need to e.g. i lose the other key or something.

In theory the key shouldn't need the battery replacing; they recharge while they are in the ignition, though if you don't drive all that often it could slowly 'bleed' flat. If that is the case, use it manually in the door lock and it will recharge when it is in the ignition. Or you may have a bad battery and it just won't hold a charge. Do note that they don't work seem to work that well in some areas, those with lots of radio waves and other electronic interference. And if you don't use the spare key occasionally, it too will eventually bleed out.

[JohnWB]

The 2004 MINI's did have a normal battery which needs changing. The R56 recharges the battery in the "key" when driving with it in the ignition slot.

[Restyle]

Apparantly there have been several types of key battery fitted over the years.

To quote XRV848

Quote:

The key was changed for the 2005 model year.
The 2004 owner's manual (USA) says:
"Replace (battery) if it is no longer possible to unlock the vehicle via the remote control...Only use a battery of the type specified on the battery, CR2032..."
The 2005 owner's manual says:
"In every master key there is an extended life battery that is charged automatically in the lock as you drive"

[MiniPetrolHead]

As to the radio waves comment, i have always wondered why i could lock and unlock the car from much further away at night, also different parts of town i can open it from further than others!

[dsakko]

Time to re-open an old thread

I have an R56 MINI Cooper S race car. I've got the central locking working and the key will unlock / lock both doors but the remote buttons do absolutely nothing.

Yes, this should be the recharging type, and yes that means I shouldn't have to crack it open to change batteries, but as this one looks dead as a Dodo, does anyone know how to open the key? At least that way I can put a multimeter over it to see if the batt is dead or if there's other issues.

[wright1D]

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

Time to re-open an old thread

I have an R56 MINI Cooper S race car. I've got the central locking working and the key will unlock / lock both doors but the remote buttons do absolutely nothing.

Yes, this should be the recharging type, and yes that means I shouldn't have to crack it open to change batteries, but as this one looks dead as a Dodo, does anyone know how to open the key? At least that way I can put a multimeter over it to see if the batt is dead or if there's other issues.

Well I have a 2003 Mini One D, it has a replacement battery, cos I had it confirmed by BMW, who also showed me how to get to the battery..

lever the cover off with a small screwdriver from the base of the key....

change the battery within 30 seconds... or you are in trouble...

put the cover back on and you are done...

[dsakko]

Yup. They changed the keys in 2007 I used to have a 2002 Cooper with the same style of key and yep easily changed.