mysterious electrical/power problems

[lmiddag]

Called roadside assistance to have my sweet little 04 MC (aka Gigi) towed to the dealership this am. She's at 20.3K miles. Tried to start her and the engine wouldn't turn over. All the electrical stuff started cycling up and down (lights dimming up and down, door locks and window motors whirring, cd player same thing, all the dash lights flickering off and on ).

Battery cables were secure, so I thought maybe the battery was dead. I tried to jump it, but it made no difference.

She's off for her 2nd visit to the dealership. First was for the typical, door won't open problem, but this one seems bizarre!

Any thoughts?

Thanks much,

Lisa

[Matt LHA]

i had exactly th same last week, like close encounters of the third kind with all the lights flashing... they checked the battery at the roadside and said it was low on power, but ok after a short charge but the car was drawing power even when turned off.
We only do short distance's each day which may not help.
It went i he dealer for two days, and they decided was a dodgy battery and relace it... we will now wait and see it re-occurs...
hope this helps?

[MiniMiss5371]

I've been having a reoccuring problem with my 2002 Mini Cooper for a few months now and was hoping somebody had the same problem with a fix... The internal, brake and sidelight seem to either stay on or flash like my car is having a little rave. This happens when I'm driving (so I get a few weird looks!) and when it's all locked up for the night. Also, sometimes when the lights are flashing a weird buzzing sound comes from the engine some where. I've taken it to the dealers and a mechanic took it home for the weekend because the car wouldn't perform her trick and still didn't! They have never heard of this fault before so I'm trying to catch it doing its trick on video but only does it when I havn't got the camcorder....
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I've had to stop myself giving her a little kick...

[hollaback]

Hi...i'm also just had a similar problem this weekend. I was having supper at a restaurant and came out to find my car with both windows rolled down and the sunroof open. luckily nothing was stolen. as i drove there was a constant click as if it kept trying to lock its doors and the windows kept coming down and the sunroof would open everytime i closed it. it happend over and over and over again...finally i called it a night and parked it in the garage and disconnected that battery. its at the dealership today so i'll let you know what they tell me when i get it back.

[lmwjerry]

I had a similar problem with the lights staying on. What I learner was my sunroof drains were allowing water to run down the "A" pillar and collect in the drivers side footwell. This allows the 42 pin connector( lower left hend foot well) become submersed in the water causing an electrical fault. Symptoms: All my dash light stayed on and GPS running. The only way to turn them off was to disconnect the battery. My car is out of warranty, but my Mini dealer is thinking about repairing the problem. 3 phone calls later, they're still trying to figure out who's going to pay for this assembly fault?

[DIDI145]

I have a 05 MINI convertible S with 38K. I have had ALOT of electrical problems (major ones) with my car -- my warranty expires in 12k and am seriously considering selling before that because I can't afford whatever else might happen. @ 20k the entire electrical harness needed to be rewired - they said it was a design flaw with the new convertibles. It started because the top would not open/close. The next problem @ 25k, was the door kept locking/unlocking, the windows would go up/down, the interior lights would go on/off. I couldn't use my remote to lock the doors because it thought the door was open (it wasn't). It wore out my battery, because the interior light would keep going on/off all night. It was some electrical condensor ( I think that was it). Now my heated seats keep turning themselves off -- both driver and passenger ones. The time they are on varies - sometimes it shuts off after 10 minutes, sometimes after 1/2 hour.
So I can't help you with your things except to say if this is your only problem so far, you're lucky.

[drfubar]

My Mini is starting to mysteriously lose power and shuts of momentarily. Then in about half a second it turns back on but the all the internal lights flash and the computer seems to reset.

Any Ideas?

[drfubar]

any?

[scrittipolitti]

Hi Hollaback, I know it was a while a go but did you ever get a diagnosis from your garage. I have just had exactly the same experience. It is also -5C and each time I try to lock the doors both window and the sunroof open. Appreciate any advice....

[queenoftheslipstream]

Hi, A response for those having intermittent electrical issues. Very early on, my 03 MINI had issues with the headlights, dimming & brightening while driving. It turns out that the Main electrical ground was loose, so the dealer actually welded it and I've not had an issue with it since.

[derek_perry]

hi queenoftheslipstream can you give any clues where the main electrical ground connection is ?
have a nice xmas and new year everyone !

[Sheila B]

Electrical problem before Christmas. Found Mini One (52 reg) in my garage with interior light on and doors unlocked. Battery was nearly flat and wouldn't turn engine over. Remote wouldn't lock doors and, if locked manually, they would unlock themselves witih 10 seconds. Then got clicking sound as if doors locks were attempting to operate. Independent MINI garage suggested a new battery but this also went flat with similar results. I've charged the battery and now disconnect it overnight. Any ideas on the source of the problem would be appreciated.

[MINIMANIAUK]

Sheila B , sounds like your drivers door lock could be cause of your problems-try disconnecting the electrical plug on the bottom of the lock inside the door. also check the BC1 for any water or moisture ( r/h side panel -by your right foot when driving) and check the undercarpet for any water. hope this helps

[dcragoe]

My interior lights come on for no reason and I now have a flat battery......any ideas?

[MINIMANIAUK]

The battery should run the interior light for a very long time before going flat!! the car should also shut down any non essential electrics after 15 mins, so either the battery is knackered ,or not charging (alternator/belt) ,or it is a control fault running some circuits all the time(including the interior light)via (bc1)