MINI2

alwaysopen · Sep 19th, 2005, 06:20 PM

I thought this had been addressed here, but I cannot find a thread...

I have an '05 MCSC w/Xenons. The dealer has replaced the entire RH lamp assembly 2 times, and the LH once. The auto-level mechanism seems to break and causes the beams to point down about 3 feet in front of the car. Unable to drive the car at night. When switched on, the little motor makes its noise but instead of going up and down, it sort of grunts and goes a bit to the side. It cannot be a loose wire, or wrong connection, as the techs have tried that. I seem to think it happens when the hood (bonnet) gets shut. I don't slam it closed, but I'm starting to get worried that this will happen when the car is no longer in warranty, and each unit is <$650! I'm at 22,000miles already.

I take it in tomorrow, again, to have the right one replaced (this makes the FOURTH headlamp assembly for that side.) I'm currently reading up on my California Lemon Law standards.

Anyone else have this problem?? Or can you direct me to another thread?

Thanks, all.

AO

alwaysopen · Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:36 PM

Well, lots of "views" but no "posts." Darn. Had xenon assembly replaced again (the fourth) and am now waiting to hear back from MINI USA about my written complaint. I sure love this little car (we're on the cover of Outword Magazine's Auto and Tech issue this month!!

) but I think I'm gonna have to talk to MINI about a replacement.

The failing headlamps is a safety issue, and I guess I should be more forceful with them about replacing the car.

ALD0 · Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:40 PM

Hope you get it sorted-Not heard of many issues with self levelling on the Xenon-Keep on at the Dealer-as you say it is a Safety issue and you need to escalate it if needs be higher than the dealer.

Joe Z · Nov 3rd, 2005, 03:37 PM

I think the Lemon Law has a 3 strike rule ???? not 100% sure....

But I am already looking in to it....

Our Mini Dealer is currently replacing our 1st CVT Auto Transmission in our 2006 Cooper...
3 week old Mini which only has 350 miles

What CA dealer is doing the warranty work for you??

Joe

alwaysopen · Nov 7th, 2005, 10:23 PM

Bought new and serviced at Niello in Sacramento, CA.

I re-sent my letter to MINIUSA. Confimed delivery on the 4th, so I guess I'll wait to see how/when they respond this week. Sent copies of letter to GM and Service Mgr at Niello.

Wow, a whole new tranny?? Sorry to hear that.

Here is a link for you, FYI: http://caag.state.ca.us/consumers/general/lemon.htm

Choose one of the following:
2 or more fixes if the fault is serious/cause accident
4 or more times for any single fault
30 days in the shop for all repairs.

But, I hope your one repair is the end of the story!

David Wiggins · Nov 13th, 2005, 05:48 PM

A guy in my local club had a similar problem w/ his self leveling lights. His problem turned out to be the cable leading to the leveling system sensor on the front drivers side (US car) has gotten rubbed pretty severely by a CV joint boot IIRC.

Have your dealer verify the sensors and cabling to the sensors, maybe that'll help. If you have a sensor that's throwing bogus info, that'd certainly cause a symptom like you're seeing.

Joe Z · Nov 13th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by alwaysopen

Bought new and serviced at Niello in Sacramento, CA.

I re-sent my letter to MINIUSA. Confimed delivery on the 4th, so I guess I'll wait to see how/when they respond this week. Sent copies of letter to GM and Service Mgr at Niello.

Wow, a whole new tranny?? Sorry to hear that.

Here is a link for you, FYI: http://caag.state.ca.us/consumers/general/lemon.htm

Choose one of the following:
2 or more fixes if the fault is serious/cause accident
4 or more times for any single fault
30 days in the shop for all repairs.

But, I hope your one repair is the end of the story!

Thanks for the link and the info.... Looks like I will be printing that out and doing a lot more home work on this....

Story got worse... They have now replaced the Power Steering pump for a very loud whining noise... But it turns out the noise is coming from the NEW Transmission ... So they are going to replace the Trans again....!!

Read the whole story here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...26#post2016826

Thanks
Joe Z

alwaysopen · Feb 17th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Well, dealer/MINI could never find the cause of the problem for the auto-levels, so they're buying the car back and it's replacement should be here in about 3 weeks.

I'll have to mention the post above about the wiring!

thanks all!

Sep 19th, 2005, 06:20 PM	#1
alwaysopen MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 16 Offline	Drooping new-design Xenons I thought this had been addressed here, but I cannot find a thread... I have an '05 MCSC w/Xenons. The dealer has replaced the entire RH lamp assembly 2 times, and the LH once. The auto-level mechanism seems to break and causes the beams to point down about 3 feet in front of the car. Unable to drive the car at night. When switched on, the little motor makes its noise but instead of going up and down, it sort of grunts and goes a bit to the side. It cannot be a loose wire, or wrong connection, as the techs have tried that. I seem to think it happens when the hood (bonnet) gets shut. I don't slam it closed, but I'm starting to get worried that this will happen when the car is no longer in warranty, and each unit is <$650! I'm at 22,000miles already. I take it in tomorrow, again, to have the right one replaced (this makes the FOURTH headlamp assembly for that side.) I'm currently reading up on my California Lemon Law standards. Anyone else have this problem?? Or can you direct me to another thread? Thanks, all. AO

Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
ALD0 Hacked the IBUS Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Local Time: 10:02 AM Posts: 9,199 Offline	Hope you get it sorted-Not heard of many issues with self levelling on the Xenon-Keep on at the Dealer-as you say it is a Safety issue and you need to escalate it if needs be higher than the dealer. http://www.becardsmart.org.uk/

Feb 17th, 2006, 09:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
alwaysopen MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 16 Offline	The end... Well, dealer/MINI could never find the cause of the problem for the auto-levels, so they're buying the car back and it's replacement should be here in about 3 weeks. I'll have to mention the post above about the wiring! thanks all!

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Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
alwaysopen MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 16 Offline	Well, lots of "views" but no "posts." Darn. Had xenon assembly replaced again (the fourth) and am now waiting to hear back from MINI USA about my written complaint. I sure love this little car (we're on the cover of Outword Magazine's Auto and Tech issue this month!! ) but I think I'm gonna have to talk to MINI about a replacement. The failing headlamps is a safety issue, and I guess I should be more forceful with them about replacing the car.

Nov 3rd, 2005, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe Z MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So. Cal Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 71 Offline	I think the Lemon Law has a 3 strike rule ???? not 100% sure.... But I am already looking in to it.... Our Mini Dealer is currently replacing our 1st CVT Auto Transmission in our 2006 Cooper... 3 week old Mini which only has 350 miles What CA dealer is doing the warranty work for you?? Joe

Nov 7th, 2005, 10:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
alwaysopen MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 16 Offline	Bought new and serviced at Niello in Sacramento, CA. I re-sent my letter to MINIUSA. Confimed delivery on the 4th, so I guess I'll wait to see how/when they respond this week. Sent copies of letter to GM and Service Mgr at Niello. Wow, a whole new tranny?? Sorry to hear that. Here is a link for you, FYI: http://caag.state.ca.us/consumers/general/lemon.htm Choose one of the following: 2 or more fixes if the fault is serious/cause accident 4 or more times for any single fault 30 days in the shop for all repairs. But, I hope your one repair is the end of the story!

Nov 13th, 2005, 05:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
David Wiggins MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 04:02 AM Posts: 2 Offline	A guy in my local club had a similar problem w/ his self leveling lights. His problem turned out to be the cable leading to the leveling system sensor on the front drivers side (US car) has gotten rubbed pretty severely by a CV joint boot IIRC. Have your dealer verify the sensors and cabling to the sensors, maybe that'll help. If you have a sensor that's throwing bogus info, that'd certainly cause a symptom like you're seeing.

Nov 13th, 2005, 07:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Joe Z MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So. Cal Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 71 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by alwaysopen Bought new and serviced at Niello in Sacramento, CA. I re-sent my letter to MINIUSA. Confimed delivery on the 4th, so I guess I'll wait to see how/when they respond this week. Sent copies of letter to GM and Service Mgr at Niello. Wow, a whole new tranny?? Sorry to hear that. Here is a link for you, FYI: http://caag.state.ca.us/consumers/general/lemon.htm Choose one of the following: 2 or more fixes if the fault is serious/cause accident 4 or more times for any single fault 30 days in the shop for all repairs. But, I hope your one repair is the end of the story! Thanks for the link and the info.... Looks like I will be printing that out and doing a lot more home work on this.... Story got worse... They have now replaced the Power Steering pump for a very loud whining noise... But it turns out the noise is coming from the NEW Transmission ... So they are going to replace the Trans again....!! Read the whole story here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...26#post2016826 Thanks Joe Z

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