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MINI Cooper Electrical & Lighting Glitches

40 messages,  Last post on Feb 02, 2013 at 8:38 AM

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What is this discussion about? MINI, Lights, Electrical, Convertible, Hatchback

Messages Page 4 of 4

#31 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [tiff_c] by gunter2007

Jan 25, 2008 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: tiff_c (Jan 25, 2008 1:46 pm)
I understand what you're saying but this is not for class action. My engine blew up to a fan quitting. I had no warning indications. I have spent a ton of money on maintaining the car not to mention servicing and the minor modifications. I can't afford to get rid of it. The dealership claims that there are no documented cases of electrical problems and that is what I have to prove even though my car has visited there often enough to pay a mechanic's salary each year!

#32 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [gunter2007] by tiff_c

Jan 26, 2008 (4:36 am)

Replying to: gunter2007 (Jan 25, 2008 3:32 pm)
I understand what you're saying but this is not for class action. My engine blew up to a fan quitting. I had no warning indications. I have spent a ton of money on maintaining the car not to mention servicing and the minor modifications. I can't afford to get rid of it. The dealership claims that there are no documented cases of electrical problems and that is what I have to prove even though my car has visited there often enough to pay a mechanic's salary each year!
 
I hear what you're saying and believe me I do know how you feel but some cars are lemons and if yours fits in with the lemon laws of your state you will be ok otherwise it's really tough to prove and the car dealer has a better chance in court. It's not fair but the only thing you can do is go in armed with all the receipts for work done and try to get in labeled as a lemon. If you do then they'll usually have to make good. Most lemon laws are only for new cars tho, so I don't have any more suggestions. I do hope it works out for you. I also suggest that you try the really big MINI forums. Just Google MINI Forums.
British cars always have dodgy electronics it seems.

#33 of 40 hitchback by mini04

Feb 16, 2008 (1:07 pm)

It will not unlock unless I have the lights on. Can someone tell me what it wrong?

#34 of 40 Mini Cooper 2006 After Accident by kikysoma

Aug 06, 2008 (12:09 pm)

So some problem. Back in the beginning of April my husband and I were rear ended hard by a bmw golf car. We were ok but we have had it sent to Cincinnati Mini to get it fixed FOUR times.
 
The problem isnt the car doesn't run, heck it looks good as new on the outside but every time a passager gets in or a bump is hit we have these lights come on
 
-Seatblets not in
-Passagers airbag not working
-hood or trunk is not closed
-Turn signals will not come on or will come on and not go off for a good while
-And when the car is turned off the internal lights come on by themselves and run the mini's battery to dead.
 
What they have done
-Changed the battery
-completely put in a new electric conceal
 
Now thankfully we have the mini still under warranty so for the many trips it has made we have not had to pay anything but my husband is very upset that he can't have his car back for more then 12 hours from the shop before he has to call and have it towed back.
 
If any one has any idea what the issue could be we would greatly love the help so we can finally have his car for at least a day.

#35 of 40 MINI Cooper, 2003 electric fans by jrbl

Apr 23, 2010 (10:47 am)

Hi, both electric fans are not working. My mechanic has done all the basic stuff; straight wired them (they work) checked relays etc. There is a low pressure switch
on the AC that should send a signal for the fans to come on: also the radiator cooling fan is not working. Any help would be appreciated.

#37 of 40 MINI-Interior Electrical Problem? by plsmrvll

Mar 01, 2010 (5:03 pm)

I have a 2009 Cooper S. Has anyone else experienced an electrical 'clicking' sound, like a relay turning on/off, from the passenger side compartment? Had it in for service and they didn't find it. It's intermittent, and it clicks several times when it happens. Hard to pinpoint it, but I'm thinking it has to do with the fan/AC.
 
Thanks in advance,
 
Pat

#38 of 40 Re: MINI-Interior Electrical Problem? [plsmrvll] by violetdc

Mar 01, 2010 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: plsmrvll (Mar 01, 2010 5:03 pm)
Can't help you there, Pat. You said it's intermittent--does it ever occur when you turn on the heat (assuming you aren't in a tropical climate just now)? I'm trying to remember if my '06 S ever did that, and can't come up w/anything. As usual, you can NEVER duplicate what's happening when you've got a tech there ready to help.
 
I'm sure some of the more experienced folks in the community can help. Are you registered on NAM? There's a multitude of information there. I hope the clicking gets taken care of, cuz I'm sure it's annoying you to no end--it would 4 me!

#39 of 40 Re: MINI-Interior Electrical Problem? [violetdc] by garymeer

Feb 02, 2013 (8:06 am)

Replying to: violetdc (Mar 01, 2010 5:13 pm)
I have a different problem and I am at a loss to figure it out or know where to start.
 
I have a whirring noise when my 2004 MCS (r53) is off. It simply started without any notice at all. All the car was fine, parked it, whent into the office for a few minutes and back to the car and the battery was almost dead. The whirring whining noise was there. car barely had enough juice and eventually couldn't. Got it jumped and it runs perfectly. drove it home and I let it idle for an hour. turned it off, waited 10 or so and it happened again. this time, when i tried to start it the headlights flashed, next time the driver window went down 1/2" at a time in the same beat as the starter, next time the wipers went in time to the starter.
 
jumped it again and it ran fine. Looked at the battery and the indicator was black (I know they arent all that reliable). put a volt meter on it and 5.5 volts. Ah dead battery. Jumped it and headed to the autoparts store. took the battery out and had them test it... it was GOOD.
 
The sound sounds like a relay or switch not turning off when the car turns off. I live in a small town, only mini, maybe 1 of 2, hard to find a foreign car mechanic. Couple of questions:
 
anyone recognize this issue?
Will a real electrical diag be the right direction to go?
Will Pulling codes help?
Any ideas? I fixed a pass window issue by finding a blog that said, bang with your fist just above the speaker on the pass door - it worked
 
I have reset the ECU, I noticed there are some diags under some of the options.
 
Help! I love my Mini and hate my work truck which i am now driving! THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

#40 of 40 Re: MINI-Interior Electrical Problem? [garymeer] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Feb 02, 2013 (8:38 am)

Replying to: garymeer (Feb 02, 2013 8:06 am)
Could that be your radiator cooling fan operating? If so, and you own a 2004, I would check for low coolant level, caused by a small thermostat housing leak.
 
If the engine is too hot when you shut it off, that cooling fan can run for 10 minutes easily and it draws a lot from the battery.
 
If your battery is the original one, then it's toast anyway---too old.

Messages Page 4 of 4

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