[minibrute]

I did a search to see if anyone here has had a problem with their xenon lights but nothing came up so here it goes.
Tonight, my driver side xenon did not light up, I see a flash happen but the light doesn't turn on. Has anybody here experienced anything like that ?
I'll be taking the car to the dealer but would like to be somewhat informed as to what the problem is and if it'll be covered or not by the warranty.
Thanx for your help.

[NEMINI]

it should be covered though I bet they will say they have to look at it before determining if it is (bulbs are not warranty items but xenons should be lifetime items so chances are something else caused the bulb to go if that is indeed the problem)

[gtshnzr]

You know GMINI03, you know too much damn stuff about the mundane details of these cars. Warranty items. Geeeeze. I was really impressed when you correctly spotted the plastic tube thingy, but this is way too much. I must log off now before I become [more] obsessed. One more thing, I'd vote for a bad relay or switch of some type, or do Xenon's have a filament like a regular bulb?

[Froggie]

This happened to me once/. After having the lights on for a while I parked and turned them off. When I turned them back on after only 1 minute or so the right headlight didn't light. But I turned them off and then on again and they both lit. That's the only time it has happened to me and I assume it was just due to the too short interval from on to of and on again. The manual says somethng about not turning the Xenon's off and on to oftern or quicky..

[zimbo]

minibrute

Yes it will be covered under your warrenty, I had problems with my xenons, they switched themselves off completely (except side lights) while driving at night.... happened about 3 times and on the second visit to my dealer it was sorted. Never done it again. (touch wood)

[StevePSB]

Any bulb is covered under UK warranty although I'd expect a Xenon anyway as they're almost certainly silly money!

[NEMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by StevePSB

Any bulb is covered under UK warranty although I'd expect a Xenon anyway as they're almost certainly silly money!

US warranty doesn't it is a wearable item like wiper blades, tires and clutch disc's

[gt4pete]

The Xenons are completely covered under the US warranty. Even halogen bulbs are covered under the 4/50k warranty. I wrote service for BMWs and still sell MINIs and this is a routine warranty item. Now, once we get to Certified Preowned MINIs (Next, as it's supposed to be called), don't expect coverage for the bulb if they continue to follow BMWs precident. Our dealership routinely warrants bulbs under the new vehicle warranty.

[dav]

gt4pete; How would you rate the new Mini? You are in the perfect position to share your honest thoughts about Mini reliability, build quality,etc.. Do you own one?

[gt4pete]

I have an S with 23k miles on it that I beat to death on a weekly basis on the backroads around my house. It always comes back for more. The build quality is about the same as any of the BMWs. I expect to have a coolant issue (waterpump, thermostat, aux fan) and some kind of electrical issue (window regulator, lock pin actuator) and a set of shocks and brakes more often than usual becuase of the way I drive. Other than that, things should go pretty well with the car. BTW, there's no precendent that I've seen for any of these issues in the MINI, but from what I've seen in the BMW lineup over time, these are some common issues amongst BMWs suppliers (many of whom are MINI suppliers). I don't know that there's an easy way to fix any of these items, as well as the fact that they are some of the top suppliers of auto components in the world (Bosch, Behr, Valeo, NGK, AT). And, as long as you don't operate the car with a stuck thermostat or spun waterpump (in an overheat condition) there's no reason that the car shouldn't give any problems for quite a long time.

[dav]

Thanks for your input. I know this is a Xenon HID "thread" ( the only option I ordered), but it makes me feel better about my Mini Cooper S purchase decision. I hope all of the early "bugs" have been ironed out (coolant reservoir, pwr strng, windshield cracks, rattles, etc.).

[minibrute]

Sorry I haven't been back here to reply as of the outcome of my xenon headlamp problem.
To make a long story short, the lamp started working again. Just like that. I think the problem was related to humidity buildup inside the lamp itself. It was a very misty night and I had left my car parked in the driveway next to one of the lawn irrigators. After two warm and sunny days the lamp came back to life and all is well. Thanx to all who offered opinions and wisdom, it is certainly appreciated.
Be well.

[sjbartnik]

The lamp housings and ballasts are supposed to be watertight so if the problem was caused by moisture getting in then you have a problem that needs to be corrected.

[ditc]

This problem is driving me crazy! I have had this problem on my Feb 03 build MCS for several months.I I think there is a pattern. It seems that a day or so after a heavy rain or car wash, my passenger side xenon fails to light. SO, I make a service appointment since my light hasnt come on in over 2 weeks. Imagine my surpirse when the service advisor calls me and says they "cant duplicate the problem"!!! Well, sure enough I picked up the car on Tuesday and everything works fine!! BUT they did wash my car, and sure enough tonight, it failed to light again! I am going back tomorrow since we had agreed that they would see me, sans appointment to do a quick check if it happens again....well, lets hope they keep their promise, since I am going there tomorrow morning...I'll post any info I get....

[btsave]

Just have version 36 done on my MCS and now the driver's side (LH) low beam only works intermittently. In fact, i put on the high beam and, while driving, the high beam turned itself off and both low beams began working once again! BMW already replaced the control unit on that side about a month ago.! COmments?

[ditc]

Just a follow up on my situation: Took it to the dealer yesterday, they replaced the "Control Unit". When I picked it up last night, everything was fine. BUT this morning, same problem, it wont fire up! Back to the dealer today.....this is getting old!

[Cassie]

The day I got my MCS the left xenon started flickering after only 2 hours and then stopped working and wouldn't come on again. Took it to the dealers & they replaced the control unit, which they said was dead & thatfixed the problem. Tonight the right one started to flicker slightly (I think - could be the wonderful London roads). The last couple of days have been the first damp ones since I got MINI, so maybe there is more than one cause to this -dampness & faulty control units.

[minitech]

you might have bc1 problem(body control computer). when the head lights flash that means they are starving for power. the bc1 send the power the the head light control units and then to the igniter. the igniter develops up to 1200 volts to spark up the gases in the bulb......thats right 1200- tweve hundred- volts. also the older minis had water leaks and the water would go right into the bc1. the bc1 is on front right panle under the glove box.if you feel dampness you have found the problem......

[Aurel]

Well my drivers side XENON has been exhibiting the same problem. Basically for the last few weeks it has failed to turn on (but not all every time). Then when shut off and then turned back on it was OK.

Now today it has completely failed to work. It is the first damp humd day here in NYC as well, but this should not be the problem.

Off to the dealer I go tomorrow, good thing to hear that they are covered under warranty.

[URU]

my passenger Xenon completely failed last nite. cars only 11 days old

"off to the deale#rs we go..."