MINI2

Tonyt3 · Dec 13th, 2003, 09:30 PM

My wife phoned me at work two days ago, said that when I passed her car on the motorway, she saw that my main headlamp on the drivers side had failed. I went down to the car to check, and turned the lights on, all seemed fine.

Was driving home last night, noticed distinctly less light than normal. Got home, turned the lights back on to check, all seemed fine again.

Got home tonight, realised that the lights seemed weak again, got out without turning off first, one light (drivers side) is out. Turned lights on and off several times, checked again, all fine.....

Anyone had this before? Faulty bulb, faulty wiring, faulty headlight unit? Any ideas?

Got zenons if it makes a difference....

Tonyt3 · Dec 13th, 2003, 09:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Tony I have the same problem - but on the nearside.

Also got Xenons.

Not sure what causes this. Any ideas anyone?

regards

Better be covered by warranty, I understand the xenon bulbs are expensive...

Goonery · Dec 14th, 2003, 09:51 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tony*t3

My wife phoned me at work two days ago, said that when I passed her car on the motorway, she saw that my main headlamp on the drivers side had failed. I went down to the car to check, and turned the lights on, all seemed fine.

Was driving home last night, noticed distinctly less light than normal. Got home, turned the lights back on to check, all seemed fine again.

Got home tonight, realised that the lights seemed weak again, got out without turning off first, one light (drivers side) is out. Turned lights on and off several times, checked again, all fine.....

Anyone had this before? Faulty bulb, faulty wiring, faulty headlight unit? Any ideas?

Got zenons if it makes a difference....

Theres a voltage controller box at the back of the lamp unit on Xenons, 1 each side, connectors can work loose with any suspension and wheel setup because of the bouncing around they get. Try reconnecting them again and see if that works. If not see your dealer.

chiph · Dec 14th, 2003, 11:08 PM

Max -

Be sure to heed the "Danger high-voltage" warning sticker on the lamps. Check the connectors when the lights are off, otherwise you'll discover how entertaining 20,000 volts can be (to the bystanders watching you dance, that is).

Chip H.

steve · Dec 15th, 2003, 12:18 AM

thanks for the loose connection tip. after 5 months and cold weather, my right front zenon decided not to light. put her in the garage at night and she lights, but after 8 hours outside no light. This has repeated for 3 days now. I'll look at connection tomorrow, off of course. 20,000v may help me to grow hair on my bald head however and may make me more calm.

ncdave · Dec 15th, 2003, 01:28 AM

Hi Chip - I didn't know you sold your S; was it replaced with a different Cooper?

moorlockx · Dec 15th, 2003, 11:17 PM

My passenger side will do this occasionally. The dealer said it was probably the starter for the light and has one on order for me. I'll get it changed next time I decide to make the 2 hour drive up there.

chiph · Dec 16th, 2003, 01:33 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ncdave

Hi Chip - I didn't know you sold your S; was it replaced with a different Cooper?

'Fraid not. Loved the car, but I had some problems. Coming on the heels of the disasterous ML-320, I just had it with German-designed cars. The dealership was only "average", too (being 2 hours away only made it worse). So I'm in a used Honda. Boring, steers like a cow. But reliable. Maybe once it's paid off I can find a used MCS that wasn't built on Friday the 13th.

Chip H.

Tonyt3 · Dec 22nd, 2003, 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Hi Tony.

My dealer replaced my nearside Xenon headlight for me last week, under warranty.

Looks like max has a warranty after all

I have amended my signature block accordingly

regards max

Mine goes in tomorrow....

'THE MIGHTY IMP' · Dec 27th, 2003, 07:03 PM

my off-side side light comes on and goes of as it pleases. i just let it get on with it. it seems quite happy, and you cannot tell it's not working from inside. i get a glimpse of it's on/off status from the boots of other cars. it's almost turned into a little game now!

ian m

Tonyt3 · Dec 27th, 2003, 07:51 PM

Had the controller replaced under warranty. Part alone costs £154..... What the hell are we going to do when the warranty runs out?!?!?!?!?!?

Goonery · Dec 28th, 2003, 08:51 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tony*t3

Had the controller replaced under warranty. Part alone costs £154..... What the hell are we going to do when the warranty runs out?!?!?!?!?!?

Keep the car for two years and 8 months, trade it in for a new one then , and it will arrive just as the three years are up.

Tonyt3 · Dec 28th, 2003, 04:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

Keep the car for two years and 8 months, trade it in for a new one then , and it will arrive just as the three years are up.

Makes you wonder if all these warranty issues are just some kind of conspiroucy to get us all scared..... and get us trading in before it runs out...

Dec 13th, 2003, 09:30 PM	#1
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 6,258 Offline	Headlamp problem - anyone had this before? My wife phoned me at work two days ago, said that when I passed her car on the motorway, she saw that my main headlamp on the drivers side had failed. I went down to the car to check, and turned the lights on, all seemed fine. Was driving home last night, noticed distinctly less light than normal. Got home, turned the lights back on to check, all seemed fine again. Got home tonight, realised that the lights seemed weak again, got out without turning off first, one light (drivers side) is out. Turned lights on and off several times, checked again, all fine..... Anyone had this before? Faulty bulb, faulty wiring, faulty headlight unit? Any ideas? Got zenons if it makes a difference....

Dec 14th, 2003, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
chiph Spectator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Local Time: 07:11 PM Posts: 1,574 Offline	Max - Be sure to heed the "Danger high-voltage" warning sticker on the lamps. Check the connectors when the lights are off, otherwise you'll discover how entertaining 20,000 volts can be (to the bystanders watching you dance, that is). Chip H. ex-MINI Cooper S owner and all around good-guy

Dec 15th, 2003, 11:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
moorlockx MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Fayetteville, NC, US Local Time: 06:11 PM Posts: 893 Offline	My passenger side will do this occasionally. The dealer said it was probably the starter for the light and has one on order for me. I'll get it changed next time I decide to make the 2 hour drive up there. -- '03 S B/W

Dec 16th, 2003, 01:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
chiph Spectator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Local Time: 07:11 PM Posts: 1,574 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ncdave Hi Chip - I didn't know you sold your S; was it replaced with a different Cooper? 'Fraid not. Loved the car, but I had some problems. Coming on the heels of the disasterous ML-320, I just had it with German-designed cars. The dealership was only "average", too (being 2 hours away only made it worse). So I'm in a used Honda. Boring, steers like a cow. But reliable. Maybe once it's paid off I can find a used MCS that wasn't built on Friday the 13th. Chip H. ex-MINI Cooper S owner and all around good-guy

Dec 27th, 2003, 07:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
'THE MIGHTY IMP' Grinny's the Mini 4 me! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hampshire Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 971 Offline	my off-side side light comes on and goes of as it pleases. i just let it get on with it. it seems quite happy, and you cannot tell it's not working from inside. i get a glimpse of it's on/off status from the boots of other cars. it's almost turned into a little game now! ian m Ian M Grinny the mini - Trippin the light fantastic!

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Dec 13th, 2003, 09:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 6,258 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Max Tony I have the same problem - but on the nearside. Also got Xenons. Not sure what causes this. Any ideas anyone? regards Better be covered by warranty, I understand the xenon bulbs are expensive...

Dec 14th, 2003, 09:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Goonery Time for CHANGE ! My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 13,607 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by *Tonyt3** My wife phoned me at work two days ago, said that when I passed her car on the motorway, she saw that my main headlamp on the drivers side had failed. I went down to the car to check, and turned the lights on, all seemed fine. Was driving home last night, noticed distinctly less light than normal. Got home, turned the lights back on to check, all seemed fine again. Got home tonight, realised that the lights seemed weak again, got out without turning off first, one light (drivers side) is out. Turned lights on and off several times, checked again, all fine..... Anyone had this before? Faulty bulb, faulty wiring, faulty headlight unit? Any ideas? Got zenons if it makes a difference.... Theres a voltage controller box at the back of the lamp unit on Xenons, 1 each side, connectors can work loose with any suspension and wheel setup because of the bouncing around they get. Try reconnecting them again and see if that works. If not see your dealer.

Dec 15th, 2003, 12:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
steve MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: cincinnati Local Time: 07:11 PM Posts: 14 Offline	thanks for the loose connection tip. after 5 months and cold weather, my right front zenon decided not to light. put her in the garage at night and she lights, but after 8 hours outside no light. This has repeated for 3 days now. I'll look at connection tomorrow, off of course. 20,000v may help me to grow hair on my bald head however and may make me more calm.

Dec 15th, 2003, 01:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
ncdave MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Local Time: 07:11 PM Posts: 654 Offline	Hi Chip - I didn't know you sold your S; was it replaced with a different Cooper?

Dec 22nd, 2003, 08:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 6,258 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Max Hi Tony. My dealer replaced my nearside Xenon headlight for me last week, under warranty. Looks like max has a warranty after all I have amended my signature block accordingly regards max Mine goes in tomorrow....

Dec 27th, 2003, 07:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 6,258 Offline	Had the controller replaced under warranty. Part alone costs £154..... What the hell are we going to do when the warranty runs out?!?!?!?!?!?

Dec 28th, 2003, 08:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
Goonery Time for CHANGE ! My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 13,607 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by *Tonyt3** Had the controller replaced under warranty. Part alone costs £154..... What the hell are we going to do when the warranty runs out?!?!?!?!?!? Keep the car for two years and 8 months, trade it in for a new one then , and it will arrive just as the three years are up.

Dec 28th, 2003, 04:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 12:11 AM Posts: 6,258 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by goonery Keep the car for two years and 8 months, trade it in for a new one then , and it will arrive just as the three years are up. Makes you wonder if all these warranty issues are just some kind of conspiroucy to get us all scared..... and get us trading in before it runs out...

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