I have a Mini Cooper from 2006. Recently I got the following problem:

Sometimes the rear hatch lock won't open or close neither from the button on the key (the tail lights, however, blink) or the front panel switch, I have to pull the ring under the back seat. When the hatch is closed and I turn on the ignition sometimes the lock opens by itself after 20-30 seconds. When I turn off the ignition the lock and the hatch often opens. Anyone any clue?
Håkan

 

I had similar issues with mine and I flushed the latch mechanism with WD40 and then relubed it with white lithium grease. there was a large quanity of dirt/grime causing the latch to be very hard to pull preventing it from working. After cleaning no troubles

 

Thankyou bad venge for your advice
It didn't, however, help. I removed the black plastic panel and underneath it was as nice and clean as in our kitchen on a Monday morning. I did anyhow blew it with compressed air and sprayed it with W40, but to no avail.
That the little bugger can do its job and that at least one of the electrical connections is in place is evidenced by the fact that the lock unlocks and the hatch opens immediately every time when I turn off the ignition.
Is this an electrical problem or a software bug? Do you have any further advice?
Håkan

 

I'd remove the inner plastic and get a voltmeter and see if the actuator is getting full 12 volts if it is and it;s not pulling bad actuator not getting 12 volts you'll need to track back

 

After I in vain tried to loosen the connector on the lock (at the left in picture below) rocking it back and forth the lock suddenly started to work again. It was probably a contact problem in the connector. Now I would like to remove the connector in order to inspect and clean it.
How do I do that?

 

It's been a few years if I remember correctly there is a little tab that locks it in you have to move the tab out to pull the plug

 

Yes there is a tab well hidden below the connector accessible from the left with a fine tool. It is however so feeble (or was I so strong?) that it broke. Now I keep the package together with a cable tier.
Thanks a lot fo your help
Håkan

 

I've had my 2002 MINI 2 weeks and today the hatch would not open. I can get the mechanism to click and the hatch very partially releases but not enough to open. According to the manual there is a mechanical pull release under the back seat - I took the back seat out and do not find a manual release. Does the 2002 actually have this manual release?

Thank you!