MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

Dogger · Dec 3rd, 2001, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Apial
Its not the CD motor per se that draws the current, its the whole system. Once the wake up call is sent to the ECU everything is active.
The same system is on the 3-series BMWs. Systems that don't switch off will run the battery flat in less than 48 hours.
Unfotunately I don't have a high current meter.

Flat battery for me this morning after leaving the car standing during a very cold and wet Sunday (the 1st time the car's been stood for any longer than 12 hours). According to the MINI rescue guy, there were dozens of MINI's struck down this morning with the same problem. It may have been mentioned earlier on this thread, but the problem only comes to light when the outside temperature reaches close to zero at which point the fan in the radio wave unit is activated to ensure that the display screen doesn't mist over when the car is started up. As Apail says, the whole system is then on alert and its this that drains the battery.

New units are now available, so the problem is effectively fixed - my MiniDisc unit is on back order (might not get it before Christmas though). I'd strongly urge everyone with a Radio Wave unit to get these replaced asap before it happens to you!

Just to leave on a more balanced note, my old car used to do something similar - the internal clock and memory functions on an old Sony unit used to drain the battery if I forgot to take the fascia with me when I got out of the car. Still..I don't expect this to happen on an £11+K car..

Dec 3rd, 2001, 08:27 AM	#35
Dogger Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Leeds (Garforth) Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 358 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Apial Its not the CD motor per se that draws the current, its the whole system. Once the wake up call is sent to the ECU everything is active. The same system is on the 3-series BMWs. Systems that don't switch off will run the battery flat in less than 48 hours. Unfotunately I don't have a high current meter. Flat battery for me this morning after leaving the car standing during a very cold and wet Sunday (the 1st time the car's been stood for any longer than 12 hours). According to the MINI rescue guy, there were dozens of MINI's struck down this morning with the same problem. It may have been mentioned earlier on this thread, but the problem only comes to light when the outside temperature reaches close to zero at which point the fan in the radio wave unit is activated to ensure that the display screen doesn't mist over when the car is started up. As Apail says, the whole system is then on alert and its this that drains the battery. New units are now available, so the problem is effectively fixed - my MiniDisc unit is on back order (might not get it before Christmas though). I'd strongly urge everyone with a Radio Wave unit to get these replaced asap before it happens to you! Just to leave on a more balanced note, my old car used to do something similar - the internal clock and memory functions on an old Sony unit used to drain the battery if I forgot to take the fascia with me when I got out of the car. Still..I don't expect this to happen on an £11+K car..