Guys,

Its a 2002 Mini One. Its fine 70% of the time and I'll drive no problems but then I'll come to it and the following happens:

-indicator stays on at the dash flickering even when on the outside the indicators lights arent flashing
-clock and odometer dims
-will lock off the key but wont unlock
- sometime no power to actually start - wont even try but then after a few attempts its fine
- the dash lights go on when you turn the lights on but even when you stop and turn everything off, they stay on

The above happens probably 1 in 4 drives... Its this a BC1 fault or something else?

The computer shows no faults other than a temp sensor issue, even though this model doesnt have a computer? No other stored issues?

Please help as Im trying to sell ASAP!


Thanks
Dave

Hi,

Does your car still have the original battery? Which now would be 10 years old, a bad battery can cause a number of strange problems on a mini even though the car starts and drives fine!


The above advice comes from member mab01uk

Dont know how old it is but its a Bosch one that I tested and it seemed ok mate?

If battery is tested and definitely ok under load, I would then do some basic checks on the BC1 as described in the link below, ie. as it is a 2002 model check for plastic water cover not fitted and any damp or moisture corrosion on the BC1 connectors.
The BC1 (Body Control Unit) - Forums (http://forum.minicooper.org/showthread.php?t=9924)

Cheers,

Just checked and its not shielded. Should I take out and dry manually or try WD-40 on it? Doesnt look wet and I can't see traces of moisture but I do have a panoramic roof so I guess its possible?

Dave

Could be an earthing fault and the supply is finding other ways back to earth through other components, check battery earth strap is clean and secure and also the earth strap from the engine to the body, or even try adding another one of these?

Cool, I'll look at that. Ive got the BC1 out and took off the plastic cover. It seems that there is no corrosion and no signs of moisture. Is it still a likely cause or can you normally not see the damage?

Checked earth straps and obvious earth points and cleaned terminals. Re fit BC1 and WD'd the connector plugs. Re connected the battery.. ALL TO NO AVAIL..... Any other ideas guys before I destroy the car with my fists and anger!

Cheers
Dave

Cd changer wires in the boot were damp causing all those bloody faults!!!!

Heres the link and thanks to whoever posted it!!

Glad you found it.....nearly always seems to be water/moisture in a component or module that causes these electrical problems. Just to be sure I would still fit the BC1 plastic water shield if you are planning on keeping the car......
This similar case was cd changer wires touching:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-mini-cooper/182202-electrical-gremlins.html#post3779682

Its a 2002 Mini One. Its fine 70% of the time and I'll drive no problems but then I'll come to it and the following happens:

-indicator stays on at the dash flickering even when on the outside the indicators lights arent flashing
-clock and odometer dims
-will lock off the key but wont unlock
- sometime no power to actually start - wont even try but then after a few attempts its fine
- the dash lights go on when you turn the lights on but even when you stop and turn everything off, they stay on


Hi, I was having very similar problems on a 2004 Mini One. The kids were giggling that pixie dust must have creeped in through the exhaust pipe or something. We tried changing the battery and even the driver's side electric lock, to no avail.

Before coughing up 900+ euros for a new BC1 unit (car computer), I decided to do a bit of research on the internet and ran into this forum. Thank you all who posted on this issue, it helped me tons!

After consulting this thread I checked the CD changer plugs in the trunk. They were fine, however I taped them anyway to be on the safe side.

After that I inspected the BC1 unit below the front-right A-pillar and sure enough, there was moisture in the furry tape that covers the harnesses leading into the car computer. It seems that water trickles down the wire harness and even climbs back up through capillary action.

I think I fixed it: I used plastic bags, insulating tape, some of this new Sugru stuff (sugru.com) and lots of patience. I combined all of this to make plastic hoodies for each of the 4 plugs connecting to the BC1 unit. After drenching the plugs in WD-40 to absorb the moisture, that is.

I described what I did with text and pictures here:

bit.ly/
PVWgZs

(Sorry for mangling the address, it won't let me post it otherwise 'cause I'm a newb on this forum. You'll have to reassemble it if you wish to see the pictures of the waterproofing hoodies for the BC1 plugs)

The posted message is in greek, however the photos may be useful to some of you. The Sugru was used in order to form a rubber plug within the harness cable bundle, so that moisture won't creep in.

Hope someone finds this helpful. The car has been running with no problems for 2 days now, if it continues without problems for a month I'll declare the "pixie dust" issue closed. :p