Three Reasons Why Your Key For Mini Cooper Is Broken (And How To Fix It)
Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper As technology improves, the days of turning a key to operate your car are going away. Instead, we have remote programming options. Even these are susceptible to malfunction and require professional assistance. A locksmith with experience is the best option to get quick replacement of your car keys. You can also buy spare keys from an authorized dealer. However it must be programmed to your specific vehicle before activation. This is only possible through an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title. Keys stolen or lost Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers because of their high resale values, low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys may be lost or stop working. If this happens, a good locksmith can come to your rescue. Most modern vehicles use remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and to start their engines. They have an immobiliser system which prevents your vehicle from driving without the proper key. If you lose the key, the cost of replacing it will be expensive. The key fobs of newer models of cars include an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder within your vehicle's engine. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to your car. If you get a replacement chip, it will need to be programmed for your specific vehicle which requires an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools. A replacement of your keys at a dealership can be expensive, but it is often the only alternative. A mobile locksmith can create you a key for lower cost, especially when your title or registration is on hand as proof that you have the car. Unlocking how much is a new mini key that you locked the keys to your car could ruin your day and leave you stuck waiting for an emergency tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. Fortunately, there are clever techniques you can employ to save time and money. The first step is to locate the longest, thin rod. A wire clothes hanger works well, though you could also use the rod from a sturdy strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough to fit through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button. Attach a slip-knot to the string. Put the loop of the slip knot on the button for the lock. Move gently back and forth the string while putting the slip knot over the lock button in back-and-forward movements until the knob on the inside of your door opens. This method won't work in every situation but it's a viable option for a variety of cars. This trick is especially useful when the locking mechanism of the car is situated on the side, instead of at the top. If your car does have an opening knob on the top of the door, this technique may also be able to help you if you have the right tool on hand. Be cautious not to damage the car. Resetting Your Key Fob If you lose your key fob or change the battery, you may need to reset it. This shouldn't impact the functionality of the key, but it's possible that you installed the battery in a wrong way. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed so that they can verify that it's the right one for your car. You'll need you have a working key to use while you're trying to reset yours. Sit in the driver's seat and put your blank key in a nearby location. Push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and pop out the metal key and remove the battery from its position. Replace the battery and make sure that it is the right way up (the negative end should be on the outside). After replacing the battery for your key After that, you can start the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on all fob to program them with the vehicle's computer. After all fobs have been programmed, return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. Make sure to turn off the ignition immediately afterward to end the programming process, as waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all its commands. Replacing the Locks Being locked out of your car a big trouble, and it can be expensive to replace the keys. The dealer will charge around $150 for a new key fob, and locksmiths might charge more. It is best to keep spare keys in a safe location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it with your phone. It is possible to change the door lock actuator yourself however it requires a bit of patience and effort. The first step is to take off the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Remove the push rod that's connected to the manual lock. It's a rod with black plastic on one end. The rod is connected to an actuator's clip. This part can be tricky to locate and reinstall in place, so it's recommended to keep the window closed while you work on this. Then, remove the cover and the old battery. Install the new battery, and then replace the cover. Install the actuator by making sure that the top end of your control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fitting and you may need to use some force to move it in place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't work, you'll need to call a certified locksmith or the dealership for help.