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Key fob only unlocks

5485 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Dan_in_WA
Hi every, am new to minis just got a 2005 mini cooper s am having a problem with the key fob it only unlocks the car tried a couple of reprogramming procedures and changed the battery but still the same any idea what this could be
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Have you tried?



Might also be others worth trying if you do a search.

Also worth try checking the receiving unit.
Hi every, am new to minis just got a 2005 mini cooper s am having a problem with the key fob it only unlocks the car tried a couple of reprogramming procedures and changed the battery but still the same any idea what this could be
sounds like the key button has failed common below link cheapest way forward send them the key they solder new buttons on circuit board and case etc, could try and solder them your self but not a easy job without a good solder iron etc,
Also check your car battery condition, this happened on 2006 cooper s as a faulty alternator wasn't charging the car battery properly and was playing up with the remote central locking, sometimes would lock/unlock like what you explained. Luckily held off from getting new keys. Once new alternator and battery got fitted all back to normal operation.
I've already tried both those procedures but nothing, haven't checked the receiving unit yet but cant see it being that as it unlocks with the fob it's just the unlocking and boot opener
Also the key fob itself looks in pretty good shape and all components on circuit board all seem fine so might check the battery on the car just seems weird that it unlocks the car but doesn't lock it or open the boot
could try this to prove if key is sending if have a MW radio tune it in to the below setting and hold key nest to radio ariel and press the buttons it the radio noises change when doing it then you know it working if dont on one button and dose on the other then you know its a key issue
They consist of a key fob transmitter and a receiver inside the vehicle. To work, they need a frequency, which is 433.92MHz in Europe (315MHz the U.S. and Japan). To meet the demand for remote keyless entry systems, Europe has also opened up the 868MHz band.
failing this there is a device on ebay that is for detection or radio waves as a anti bugging device it does same trick picks up radio waves on anything .
Does it do the same when you use the toggle switch inside the car? If so then you need to replace the door lock mechanism because one of the motors has failed.

The lock mechanism has two motors inside, one to lock and another to unlock. The motors don't fail but their gear mechanism does. Hence either you can't lock or (not and) unlock.

The lock mechanism is simple to change. There are many good guides online and videos on YouTube. I did mine in under an hour.

Here is the guide I used: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/2001+2...6+Mini+Cooper+Lock+Actuator+Replacement/18876
Locks and unlocks fine with the toggle and I'll try the mw radio when I get home
That rules out the door lock mechanism. Shame, as that is a cheap and easy fix.

This is starting to sound like body control unit problems.
Hi every, am new to minis just got a 2005 mini cooper s am having a problem with the key fob it only unlocks the car tried a couple of reprogramming procedures and changed the battery but still the same any idea what this could be
Hey Bro, did you manage to sort this issue out? mine locks but no unlock at all. toggle inside car works fine just the damn unlock button. please let me know what you did if you got it sorted
This advice is for a first generation key fob with a 2032 coin cell battery inside.

First, a warning! There is an RFID chip tucked into a corner of the key fob case that can fall out if you’re not careful. It looks like a bit of plastic debris, there’s no wires going to it or anything connected to it. But if it’s lost, the Immobilizer disables your MINI and a new key from BMW is outrageously expensive!

Pop the case apart and check / replace the battery. Gently remove the circuit board from the fob, and on the side opposite of the battery are two microswitches. There is also an LED that glows when either microswitch is pressed.

The LED can’t be seen until the circuit board is out of the case. If the LED doesn’t glow when either of the switches is pressed, the switch is bad.

New microswitches are C&K # KSR221GLFS available from Mouser, Digikey, Farnell, etc. and they’ll need to be soldered in.
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