What's the headlamp washer frequency?

[waynef]

Hi,

Does anyone know how often for a brand-new September 2003 (2004 spec) MINI Cooper S is meant to wash it's headlamps?

I only ask because my last MCS (September 2002 build) used to wash it's headlamps everytime I washed the windscreen.
__________________________________________________ _____

Now in my new MCS, I've only seen it wash the headlamps ONCE!

My dealer is really confused, as they think that my new MCS maybe faulty as when they opened the bonnet, it washed the headlamps everytime, but not with it closed.

When I got to the dealership to hear their confused Job Card, it washed the lights on the very first time that I turned the ignition, but never again.

1). What is going on with this function?
2). Are they working do you wonder?
3). Has anybody else had a similar problem?
4). Has anybody else managed to work out a pattern in this function?

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!! goonery?!

[NEMINI]

this is the way it works ...

with the headlights on the first time you wash your windshield the lights also wash then its supposed to be every third time after that, however if you turn your lights off this resets the cycle and will do it the first time you use it again, also if you are on a long trip and squirt it at the start after some unknown distance it will reset again even if you have not used it (assumption is they are dirty after X number of miles regardless of using the squirters or not)

[AidenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

this is the way it works ...

with the headlights on the first time you wash your windshield the lights also wash then its supposed to be every third time after that, however if you turn your lights off this resets the cycle and will do it the first time you use it again, also if you are on a long trip and squirt it at the start after some unknown distance it will reset again even if you have not used it (assumption is they are dirty after X number of miles regardless of using the squirters or not)

Where do you get the info !?

Good stuff GMINI !

[NEMINI]

a combination of use and reading every post and thread posted on this here forum for the last year (ok so not every but I do read 98% excluding OT&B and reginal areas too far away from me) and remembering most of it

[AidenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

a combination of use and reading every post and thread posted on this here forum for the last year (ok so not every but I do read 98% excluding OT&B and reginal areas too far away from me) and remembering most of it

I used do that.............too many blooming posts these days !

[Paul]

Exactly as GMINI03 says, except it's time, not distance that it basis it's "Oh what the hell, I want to squirt now even if it's not my turn" function.

[NEMINI]

Fair enough Paul I had considered that it could be time not distance, but I figured the engineers would be smart enough to know that sitting idle in traffic for an hour wouldn't get very dirty but 500 miles (picking a number out of a hat) would reasonably assure a much greater chance of getting dirty .... oops over estimated engineers again

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

oops over estimated engineers again

Good man.

[Sharkey]

Quote: Originally Posted by AidenL

Where do you get the info !?

Good stuff GMINI !

Yeah, stole the words outa my mouth Paul. There should be a new forum called "Stump G03" [Official rules and prizes pending]

I'll volunteer as the first contestant: Dear G03, do you know whether the new dealer installed rear fog light kits rolling out in the US include independent toggles for the front and rear fogs?

[NEMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sharkey

Yeah, stole the words outa my mouth Paul. There should be a new forum called "Stump G03" [Official rules and prizes pending]

I'll volunteer as the first contestant: Dear G03, do you know whether the new dealer installed rear fog light kits rolling out in the US include independent toggles for the front and rear fogs?

Thats too easy ... yes ... the front fog switch is already there (if you have them they are in spot 4) rear fogs add the missing toggle in spot 5 (beware however if you order the switch bank the parts numbers from the scanned copy of the delae notification are erroneous)

PS- I'm far from the most knowledgeable on these wonderful forums ... I'd say that would probably go to Paul M.

[Sharkey]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

Thats too easy ... yes ... the front fog switch is already there (if you have them they are in spot 4) rear fogs add the missing toggle in spot 5 (beware however if you order the switch bank the parts numbers from the scanned copy of the delae notification are erroneous)

Ah-ha! Kind of a trick question: see this post on Bridger:
http://www.bridger.us/mini/?Y=2003&M...witch#Comments

Judges, can I have a ruling on this?

PS: what is the color of the indicator lights on the front and rear toggles (it's a two-parter)

[NEMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sharkey

Ah-ha! Kind of a trick question: see this post on Bridger:
http://www.bridger.us/mini/?Y=2003&M...witch#Comments

Judges, can I have a ruling on this?

PS: what is the color of the indicator lights on the front and rear toggles (it's a two-parter)

If that is true then why the need for a new switch at all?(the wiring to the switch would get changed not the switch itself?) And why is there a 'correct' part number being bandied about? (quotes because i've yet to see it so can not comment on if it is truely correct)

As to your question are you refering to the indictor on the end of the metal switch itself? (green for front and again no rears in place yet so no comment) or the white LED against the orange plastic showing the fog light symbol?(located on the black plastic part of the toggle bank)

[Sharkey]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

If that is true then why the need for a new switch at all?(the wiring to the switch would get changed not the switch itself?) And why is there a 'correct' part number being bandied about? (quotes because i've yet to see it so can not comment on if it is truely correct)

As to your question are you refering to the indictor on the end of the metal switch itself? (green for front and again no rears in place yet so no comment) or the white LED against the orange plastic showing the fog light symbol?(located on the black plastic part of the toggle bank)

Yeah, it is confusing. My understanding is that you get a new bank (or 4) toggles (since the switches cannot be diddled with/replaced separately), in which the front fog toggle is now pre-wired to power the rear fogs. This is different from the UK toggle cluster (with 5 toggles), which has a separate toggle for the rear fogs. Rumor is that this difference is due to legal constraints in the US

The UK toggles are lit at the tips: blue for fronts, orange for rears (look lovely, IMO). See pic here:
http://gbmini.minisontop.com/blogger.html

Kind of a dirty trick, that question was. Still think you da man, tho

[NEMINI]

you didn't specific UK toggles ... front fog toggle on US cars is definately green (mine is anyway)


I'm taking a wait and see what part 993 is (thats whats being said is the correct one since 991 had a rear fog light toggle but the front fog light toggle was missing). I don't trust bridger (just my opinion), too many times they post before facts are known and then recant afterwards and over half their info comes from MINI2 first anyway (thankfully they do remember to give credit usually).

[Red Cooper]

I have the headlamp washer and is washing after every other window wash - I asked the dealer if they can reduce this frequency and was told.... no...