Is your 2011 Mini Cooper displaying a low key battery warning? Don’t rush to the dealership just yet! If you’re a bit handy, you can tackle a 2011 Mini Cooper Key Fob Replacement yourself and save a significant amount of money. This guide will walk you through replacing the battery in your sealed Mini Cooper key fob.
Many Mini Cooper owners with the standard package (without the comfort access option) face the same issue: a sealed key fob that BMW/Mini intends for you to replace entirely when the battery dies. However, as we discovered, replacing just the battery is feasible with some careful DIY work.
The dreaded low battery warning:
This warning light on your 2011 Mini Cooper dashboard signals that your key fob battery is nearing the end of its life. These key fobs are designed to charge inductively when placed in the designated slot on your dashboard. But like all rechargeable batteries, they eventually lose their capacity.
It’s interesting to note the origin of the term “fob.” It’s believed to come from watch fobs, decorative ornaments attached to pocket watches in the late 19th century. The “key fob” likely adopted this term, possibly from Middle English or German words relating to pockets or “sneak-proof” security.
Now, if your 2011 Mini Cooper had the comfort package, replacing the key fob battery would be a breeze. Those fobs have a removable battery compartment, as shown in the owner’s manual:
Unfortunately, for those of us without the comfort package, the 2011 Mini Cooper key fob is sealed. A new key fob from BMW/Mini can be quite expensive – potentially more than you might expect for such a small component. This is why attempting a DIY 2011 Mini Cooper key fob battery replacement becomes an appealing option.
Let’s get started with the battery replacement process. First, let’s take a closer look at the standard 2011 Mini Cooper key fob:
Even with a dead battery, your 2011 Mini Cooper key fob has a backup plan. A mechanical key is hidden inside. You can slide it out and use it to manually unlock and operate your car if the battery completely fails.
The first step is to remove the chrome ring surrounding the key fob. Be warned, this part can be fragile. While online videos might show this being done effortlessly, even with extreme care, it’s easy to damage it.
Next comes the trickier part: opening the sealed key fob. The two halves are glued together, requiring a sharp knife to carefully separate them. Safety is paramount here. Secure the key fob firmly to avoid injury while cutting. Using a vice and some wood blocks can provide a stable and safe working platform.
Work your knife around the entire seam of the key fob, cutting deep enough to break the adhesive seal. Once you’ve gone around completely, you should be able to pry the two halves apart.
With the fob open, the circuit board will likely come loose.
Now, the battery is accessible. It’s soldered onto the circuit board. Carefully desolder the old battery.
The battery used in this 2011 Mini Cooper key fob is a Panasonic VL2020-1HFN rechargeable button battery with solder clips. This is a standard rechargeable battery commonly used in BMW and Mini key fobs.
Take a closer look at the circuit board. It’s a relatively simple design, common to many key fobs. You can see the micro-switches that correspond to the button presses. These can sometimes wear out and be replaced individually. Cleaning them with electronic cleaner is a good preventative measure.
On the back of the circuit board, you’ll notice a coil. This is part of the inductive charging system that allows the battery to charge wirelessly when placed in the dashboard slot.
While working with electronics, especially sensitive components like these, proper ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) precautions are recommended. However, for a simple battery replacement like this, taking reasonable care is usually sufficient.
To find a replacement battery for your 2011 Mini Cooper key fob, search online using the battery number (VL2020-1HFN). You’ll find several online retailers selling this battery. Pay close attention to the orientation and style of the solder clips (+ and – terminals). They should match the original battery to ensure proper installation. Some batteries have clips at different angles (90, 120, or 180 degrees). For this 2011 Mini Cooper key fob, the clips are 180 degrees apart.
When soldering the new battery, double-check the polarity and ensure it’s on the correct side of the circuit board. It’s easy to make mistakes, as shown here:
If you solder it incorrectly, you’ll need to carefully remove it and resolder it on the correct side. Also, ensure the battery sits at the right height for proper contact when reassembled.
With the new battery soldered in place, it’s time to reassemble the 2011 Mini Cooper key fob.
Pay attention to the mechanical key locking mechanism. It has a small range of movement, so ensure it’s correctly positioned for proper function.
Test the mechanical key to ensure it locks and unlocks smoothly before gluing the two halves of the key fob back together. Use plastic glue and clamp the fob for about 24 hours to allow the glue to dry and harden completely.
Refitting the chrome ring can be challenging, especially if it was damaged during removal. You might need to use tools like a Dremel and files to reshape the key fob body slightly to ensure a good fit. Due to the cutting process, achieving a perfect 100% alignment can be difficult, requiring some patience and careful adjustments.
Once reassembled, your 2011 Mini Cooper key fob replacement is complete and should be working again!
Replacing the battery in your 2011 Mini Cooper key fob is a DIY project that can save you money. While it requires careful work, especially opening the sealed fob and soldering, it’s a manageable task for those comfortable with basic electronics repair. By following these steps, you can extend the life of your key fob and avoid the expense of a full replacement from the dealer.
