Is this a potential problem?

[pob]

When I start my MINI in the morning from cold something odd is happening.

Turn the ignition on - warning lights self test etc and fuel gauge rises to current level.
Start engine - whirring / grating noise seems to come from behind the speedo for a couple of seconds, fuel gauge drops down to zero, then recovers to current level when the noise stops.

It's only started doing it the last couple of days, and doesn't do it on subsequent starts.

Anyone else experienced this? Is it a sign that something is about to break?

Cheers.

[The_Bster]

Quote: Originally Posted by pob

When I start my MINI in the morning from cold something odd is happening.

Turn the ignition on - warning lights self test etc and fuel gauge rises to current level.
Start engine - whirring / grating noise seems to come from behind the speedo for a couple of seconds, fuel gauge drops down to zero, then recovers to current level when the noise stops.

It's only started doing it the last couple of days, and doesn't do it on subsequent starts.

Anyone else experienced this? Is it a sign that something is about to break?

Cheers.

Maybe you should bring it in for a check.....

[Shorty]

Quote: Originally Posted by pob

When I start my MINI in the morning from cold something odd is happening.

Turn the ignition on - warning lights self test etc and fuel gauge rises to current level.
Start engine - whirring / grating noise seems to come from behind the speedo for a couple of seconds, fuel gauge drops down to zero, then recovers to current level when the noise stops.

It's only started doing it the last couple of days, and doesn't do it on subsequent starts.

Anyone else experienced this? Is it a sign that something is about to break?

Cheers.

I have the same thing

Just started last week after I'd had the alternator belt tensioner done.
Seems a strange coincidence, but as you say only happens from cold. So
wouldn't do it when I took it to the dealers, however I'm planning to leave it there overnight soon

[pob]

Cheers. I'll get it booked in to see what they say. Can't have been anything the dealer did for me as it hasn't been in for a few months! In fact thinking about it this must be a record for the longest time it hasn't had to go back for!

[Malin Dixon]

I think it is normal. It is the gauges finding their zero point.

I would save your time if the gauges read normally 10 seconds after the engine starts.

[ONED]

we had the problem a while back too!

dealer reset something and it's been OK since!

[Paul Manfredi]

I have the same problem too!
Took it for a service six months ago and asked them to check it out. They said that its when the battery is a bit flat, and that its the gauges just resetting themselves. Try taking it for a long run and then try it, they should be fine.

Hope this helps

Paul

[wigley]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Manfredi

I have the same problem too!
Took it for a service six months ago and asked them to check it out. They said that its when the battery is a bit flat, and that its the gauges just resetting themselves. Try taking it for a long run and then try it, they should be fine.

I've just started getting this problem too

I think what you are saying must be correct because I only get the problem when the car hasn't been driven for a couple of days. Should it really make that clicking/grating noise though?

[Shorty]

Quote: Originally Posted by wigley

I've just started getting this problem too

I think what you are saying must be correct because I only get the problem when the car hasn't been driven for a couple of days. Should it really make that clicking/grating noise though?

Hope I'm not the bearer of bad news, but the grating sound sounds like it could be steering problems

The noise mine was making turned out to be the steering rack which has now been replaced. I should check your power steering fluid level too

[Yoda]

Used to have this problem. And in the end it's the battery for sure.
The noise is coming from the needles pulsates.
Took it to the dealer and the car won't start in the hands of MINI tech.
Change the battery and everything is the way they used to be

[wigley]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shorty

Hope I'm not the bearer of bad news, but the grating sound sounds like it could be steering problems

The noise mine was making turned out to be the steering rack which has now been replaced. I should check your power steering fluid level too

Shorty, this noise happens when you turn the ignition the first two clicks (before starting the engine) and before turning the wheel.

Yodas explanation sounds pretty much like whats happening, except that the battery view thing is still green

[Yoda]

The Funny thing is that my battery indicator still shows that it was fine when it was dead

[Yellow/Black OneD]

Mine did this on Saturday morning, and the car hadn't been used since wednesday night....So the battery theory sounds most favourite...Started it again after washing it and it did not do it again, and started it this morning and it didn't do it either...Our MINIs just like talking to us and moaning at us, probably for leaving them in the cold!!!

[pob]

The battery thing makes sense. It still does it occasionally but I've been using the car more often recently and its nowhere near as regular. The needles seem to bounce down against the stop for a few seconds, hence the noise. Not too fussed about getting it looked at - the car goes back in Jan to be swapped for an S.