The Biggest Issue With Key For Mini Cooper, And How You Can Solve It
Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves and technology advances, the days of turning a key to operate your car are going away. Instead, we use remote programming options. These can also fail and require assistance from a professional. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best choice for quick replacement of car keys.
You can also purchase an extra key from a dealer, but it will need to be programmed to the specific car you own prior to activation. This can only be done by a locksmith that has access to your VIN and registration or title.
Lost or Stolen Keys
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers due to their excellent gas mileage, low maintenance needs and a high resale value. However, like any other car, their keys can disappear or stop working. A good locksmith can help you in the event of this happening.
Modern vehicles have remote key fobs which can be used to unlock doors and even start engines. These fobs have an immobiliser mechanism that prevents your vehicle from driving without the correct key. It's costly to replace it when you lose it.
Newer car models have an electronic chip inside their key fobs which talks to the transponder located in your vehicle's engine. The chip contains a code that is unique to your car. If you want to replace it chip, it must be programmed to your specific car and requires an authorized locksmith or dealer equipped with the right tools.
Getting your keys replaced at a dealer could be expensive however it's often the only option. A mobile locksmith professional can come to you and make a new key for much lower, especially if have the registration or title of your car in hand to prove you are the owner.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day by realizing that you have locked your keys in your car. You could be waiting for someone else to come to unlock the door or for a tow-truck arrive. There are some clever tricks that you can employ to save time and money.
The first thing you need to do is to find a long, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire is ideal, however you could also try rods made of an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough to pass through the door's seam and long enough to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that cinches tightly when pulled). The loop of the slip knot above the lock button. Move gently back and forth the string by putting the slip knot over the lock-button in back-and forward movements until the knob on the inside of the door opens.
This trick won't work in all situations but it's a viable alternative for a lot of cars. This trick is especially useful if the locking mechanism of your car is located on the side instead of at the top. If your car has an upper knob of the door, this method could help you if you have the right tool available. Be cautious not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
It's possible that you need to reset your key fob in the event that you change the battery or lose it. This shouldn't impact the functionality of the key, but it's possible that you installed the battery incorrectly. It is recommended to take the new battery to the dealership to be installed to make sure it's the right one for your vehicle.
If you're trying to reset your key, you'll need another working one. Sit in the driver's seat and place your blank key somewhere nearby. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of your key fob, and take out the key made of metal and remove the battery from its position. Replace the battery with a new one, and ensure it's the right side up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After replacing the key battery, you can turn on the car. Press the locks and unlock buttons on all of your fobs to program them using the computer in your vehicle. When all of the fobs have been programmed, you can return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. You must shut off your ignition to complete the program. If you wait too long, your car could lose all its functions.
Replacing the Locks
Getting locked out of your car an enormous issue, and it can be expensive to replace the keys. Locksmiths may charge more than $150 for a key fob. lost mini key fob will charge about $150. The best way to prevent this is to store your spare key in a safe place, or to purchase a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your phone.
Replacing the door lock actuator could be an easy DIY project for a lot of people however, it will require some effort and patience. The first step is to pull off the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Make sure you remove the rod that pushes for the manual lock that is rod with a black plastic tip at one end that inserts into a clip on the actuator. It can be difficult to locate and then put back in place this component, so it is best to keep the window shut down while you work on it.
Next, remove the battery cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Then, put the actuator back in place with the control rod in the center, making sure that it's positioned so that the star end of the control rod is into the fitting on top of the actuator. This is a tight fitting, so you might need to use some force to bring it in place. You are now able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't then you'll need to speak with an expert locksmith or dealer for assistance.