Electrical Issues????

[cgh1120]

We have had our Mini Cooper for 4 days now and I have a question on the electrical components.

Have any of you experienced the battery light flashing and then various other lights flashing on and off?? Not sure what this means? The lights don't stay on for more than 1-2 seconds. I have a cellular trickle charger plugged into the cigarrette lighter, my hubby seems to think this might be causing a drain on the battery and that is why it's wiggin out..

Your opinions please?

[MiNiGuY]

If your charger is left charging whilst the car is switched off, then yes, you will deplete it easily.

The battery used on the mini is easily depleted if it is not given enough charge back from the engine.
Regular running is required.

I'm reliably informed:-

BMW was initially unhappy with the battery.

After negotiation with the supplier, the supplier presented a hostile argument stating that the battery IS of a suitable standard, and that excessive requirement of it was an unfair argument for BMW to present to them.
After further investigation, I'm told that BMW backed down and accepted the suppliers argument, agreeing that the battery does perform the job required of it to a high standard.

The supplier, incidentally, makes batteries for many major manufacturers, and many models of car.

It's best to keep in mind that the battery is purely there to serve the cars demands. It's not intended as a power point for users.

Charge your phone,light a cigarette, make coffee or plug in a portable refrigerator by all means, but remember that the ratio between engine run time (which charges the battery), and battery usage when the engine is switched off (which drains it), must be balanced.

[cgh1120]

Thanks for your help! I'll take your suggestions.

I took a look around the batter cable terminals and the fuse boxes and there was one fuse that wasn't seated properly. I seated it completely and now I'm not having the issues anylonger. I'm going to let the car cool down (3-4 hours) and take it for a "cold" test drive to see if it actually was the loose fuse or if there are some real electrical issues.

Wish me luck!!

PS...I love my MINI!! I'm the first in town with one and I get the funniest looks on the road! It's great fun!