R50 Mini Cooper Key Fob Battery Replacement

Here is a little demonstration video on how to replace the battery in your R50 Mini Cooper key fob. This process is fairly involved since the battery isn't easily removeable. Here are the steps:
1) Use a knife or thin screwdriver and split the cases in halve. Score the sides with a knife and then use a screwdriver to dry the two sides apart.
2) Apply a little flux to the two solder points that currently connect the old battery.
3) Use a solder wand / iron to release the old VL2020 battery.
4) Line up the new VL2020 / ML2020 into the two 90 degree slots that the old battery just came out of.
5) Solder in the new battery. Clean up the old flux if you desire.
6) Use superglue or replacement case to put the fob back together. I recommend adding a silicone case to ensure it stays in 1 piece.

Some keys will need to be reprogrammed to the car. To do this follow these steps:
1) Insert the fob with the new battery into the ignition slot and move it to position 1.
2) Move the fob to the off position and remove from the slot.
3) Press and hold the open and the close buttons three times. The door lock should trigger to inform you that you have completed it correctly.

Mini Cooper 2005-2007 3 Button Remote Head Key LX8F2V EWS
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Mini Cooper (First generation R50/52/53)

[iantyers]

The fact the battery is soldered in, and you have to break open the key is frankly ridiculous. What exactly they were thinking when they designed this, I will never know!

Great video thanks!

[normalman]

Thank you for the video. It was strait forward and I was able to obtain batteries and everything needed to do the job. If you are watching this and thinking you can do it too, well rest assured it is not an easy job. The fob does not come appart with any cooperation. It will fight you for at least an hour. Besides the screw driver; I employed a very sharp knife, and acetone to disove any glue (somehow I did not bleed much). Once appart, sodering the old battery out and new one in was a challenge due to the micro board. I did not have a radio frequency monitor, so I had to make a bazillion trips from my work bench to the car, and for whatever reason the transponder always worked outside the fob, but put back together never did, I think it was a contack issue, but after two dozen attempts everything gets foggy. It is dark now and it is working. What I learned is that crazy glue only tacks it together lightly, and that the silicon jacket is essential. I have one more fob to do. I am nolonger excited to go at it. I will wait for it to go completely dead. I also know there will be blood. Great video.

[harrytang]

Just wanna leave a comment to express my gratitude to the video creator. Your tutorial is wonderful and I made it!

[mariaa]

Thanks Rob 👍🏻 I had no idea what was going on inside the key fob for my Mini One Seven. Now, thanks to your video, I do!
Luckily fir me I also own a soldering iron.

[stuff]

It was a great video.... until the janky bit of gluing at the end! Just run a nice bead around the perimeter and mate the 2 halves, I did that and it was perfect. (Still gets a thumbs-up though - very useful content)

[homes]

Very detailed. Quite the process for this one!

[semins]

When change the battery, there is an initializing procedure to configure the key?

[blas_de_lezo]

Its wonderfull to see how everything is made to be easily reparable (not).

[ChrisLee]

Save yourself hours, bandades and possible stitches and order a replacement online. Rob must have had one that had been previously surgically opened and put back together making a much easier battery swap.

[PeterMillikin]

Thank you for your video, this was very useful and I followed your instructions and changed the battery

[dewaltaholicuk]

Could you not use the type of silver paint as used to repair rear window heating elements..?? 🤔

[mollya]

What temp or setting for the soldering gun? And does the soldering wire come with the gun? Is it soldering the two tabs lower when it’s heating it up/soldering? Or do the tabs stay sticking up high? Thanks.

[jakemir]

My key does not read, vehicle says no key detected, does this mean the battery is dead? I thought the chip was always active and the battery was only for the locks

[AFKgarage]

The VL2020 you linked has a different configuration than what you showed in the video. I would have to cut the inside of the case to make it fit semi ok

[DaynJo]

Utterly fantastic video.
I have never soldered anything in my life, I bought the correct battery, bought both a soldering kit, and some flux, followed your excellent tutorial to the letter.
But it still isnt working. I have read that these keys charge while the Mini is driving. *So either this new battery is dead, or do I have to reset the key?*
My key was working. (I hadnt driven my Mini for years.) I took the battery out fully charged it. Then both keys didnt work, could the battery replacement have done something to the cars sensor?

[jonathancaragliano]

Tried this and had to drummel the FAB apart. I ordered the same battery and the terminals were different. A complete fail!

[pattythomas]

i can't do this!! Where can i have it replaced? Geez!!

[coindeepdive]

Hi Rob, Does this key have a ID44 Chip ? I bought my car with one key, wanted a replacement so got a new shell, cut a copy on new shell blade, and bought an old FOB, reprogrammed the old FOB using lock button + 3 time middle button method, it assigned my new key to the car but the second one won't start the car ? I could not find a ID44 Chip or have no idea why everything works but not starting ? Also thought may be 2006 R52 has limit of 2 primary keys where the previous owner had 2 keys programmed so I may have to delete a slot and add my new one as a primary. Sorry for the long question but I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks so much.

[michalbenka]

Hi, i do not have any RF tester any idea what points to measure and what voltage should be there to make sure key fob is working? My problem is the i am in situation that i am not sure what is faulty key fob or receiver in car. I do have mini r50 2004.

[LS-myfh]

It’s a rechargeable battery, and it charges when the key is in the ignition.