2013 Countryman, key fob battery replacement.

[lewis328]

Been a while since I have posted, my wife just got a 2013 Mini Countryman. Today the warning message for low key fob battery popped up. I went to check what battery I need thinking ill swap it out no problem. From what I can see online you literally can't change the battery, it was a sealed unit. What on earth were they thinking when they made this, just a money maker.

Is this a dealer fix?

Any advice appreciated.

[mike9009]

From distant memory of my r55 clubman, I had a similar issue. If your wife is doing lots of short journeys it might not be charging enough. Try going for a long drive to charge the battery in the key up a little.

[lewis328]

Thanks for the reply,

We only picked it up 6 days ago, it's hardly been used. That could be the issue.....hopefully.

[RoadToad84]

I had a 2011 that would sporadically bring up this fault. Didn't seem to matter how long the key was in use for, it would almost always tell me the battery was low. I suspect the reader/receiver/charger was faulty.

Once or twice it failed to start, requiring complete key removal and trying again. It always worked eventually though. I never did get to the bottom of it, but it wasn't a big enough problem to spend the money on.

[lewis328]

Ah ok, good to know. I'll give it a few weeks to try and bottom it out. I may even give Mini a call see what expensive solutions they come up with.

[lewis328]

Ah ok, good to know. I'll give it a few weeks to try and bottom it out. I may even give Mini a call see what expensive solutions they come up with.

[E-bmw]

I am led to believe (google it for more specific info) that an electric toothbrush or wireless phone charger will charge it up enough to clear the fault if it is the battery not having enough charge.

[Waitforme]

This thread has made me realise I should be using the spare key periodically