Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology advances, the days of turning the key to operate your car are slowly disappearing. Instead, we now use remote programming options. Even these can malfunction and require professional assistance. For a quick replacement mini key fob cost of your car key, a trained mobile locksmith is the best option.

You can also buy an extra key from a dealer. However it must be programmed to your vehicle prior to activation. This is only done by an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title.

Keys lost or stolen

bmw mini key replacement Cooper owners choose their cars for their high resale prices with low maintenance requirements, as well as good gas mileage. However, just like every other car keys may go missing or stop working. A reputable locksmith can assist you if this happens.

The majority of modern vehicles use remote key fobs to open doors and start engines. These fobs have an immobiliser system which prevents your vehicle from being driven without the proper key. It's expensive to replace when you lose it.

The key fobs on newer models of cars have an electronic chip that communicates with a transponder inside the engine of your car. This chip has a code that is unique to the car. If you purchase a replacement chip, it will need to be programmed to your specific car and requires an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.

It can be expensive to replace your keys at a dealer, but this is usually the only option. A professional mobile locksmith can come to you and create an entirely new key for less, especially if you have the registration or title of your car in hand to prove you are the owner of the vehicle.

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 to show up and open the door, or for a tow-truck to arrive. There are a few smart tricks that you can apply to save time and money.

The first step is to find an extremely long, thin rod. A wire clothes hanger is ideal, however you can also use an iron rod made of an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It must be small enough to pass through the door seam and long enough to reach the lock button.

Make a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). The loop of the slip knot above the lock button. Gently wiggle back and forth the string using the slip knot on top of the lock-button using back-and-forward movements until the knob in the interior of the door opens.

This trick may not be effective in all situations however it's an effective solution for many automobiles. This method is particularly useful for locking mechanisms that are on your vehicle is on the side, instead of the top. If there is a knob on the top of your door, you can use this method as well if you have it. Be sure not to damage your car in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

It's possible that you need to reset your key fob when you change the battery or lose it. This won't usually affect the functionality of the key, however it's possible you installed the battery incorrectly. It's a good idea take the new battery to the dealer for installation, so they can ensure it's in sync with your vehicle.

If you're trying to reset the key, you'll need a working one. Relax in a driver's seat and put your blank key near by. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of your key fob, and take out the key made of metal, then remove the battery from its location. Replace the battery and make sure that it's in the correct way up (the negative end should be on the outside).

After replacing the battery for your key You can then turn on the car. Press the locks and unlock buttons on all of your fobs in order to program them using the vehicle's computer. When all the fobs are programmed, then you can return to your vehicle and lock it just as you would normally. Turn off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you hold off too long, your car could lose all its functions.

Replacing the Locks

It's a pain to get locked out of your vehicle and also costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge you approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, but locksmiths could charge more. It is best to keep your spare keys in a secure location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your phone.

Replacing the door lock actuator can be a simple DIY project for a lot of people, but it requires some effort and patience. The first step is to pull out the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Take off the rod that is attached to the manual lock. It's a rod that has black plastic on one end. This rod will be an actuator's clip. This part is difficult to find and get back into place, so it's a good idea to leave the window rolled up while you work on this.

Next, remove the cover from the battery and then remove the old battery. Install the new battery and replace the cover. Then, put the actuator back into position with the control rod in the center, making sure that it's positioned so that the star end of the control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fit so you may have to apply some force to bring it in place. After doing this, your doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not you'll have to contact a locksmith or a dealer for assistance.