electrical failure

[AndyT]

Its fixed now, but just wanted to register the fact my 'BC-1' (?*!) failed, which meant total electrical failure - except for the headlights, which were on, and couldn't be switched off !
Is this a regular fault ? or am i just unlucky (i prefer 'unique').

Also, my windscreen has cracked too, but the dealer said "it'll have been a stone chip" and referred me to autoglass - who still haven't come out yet.
Now that I see many of you have had the same crack in the same place, I ain't so sure.

I also have to say that the MINI Emergency Service was first class.

[mr.bill]

Search under Faults and Fixes for "electrical" or "Christine" and you'll find the posts describing problems like you had. At least two people have reported a total failure while on the motorway, apparently due to a defective ECU.

As to the windshield crack, look for "breaking glass" and you will find a lot of posts on the subject. This is a known fault, due to stress in the windshield. It is either due to the windshield not being formed properly to fit the car, or it being installed incorrectly. The stress fractures always happen in about the same place. The dealer may try to blame it on a rock pit, but if you run a pen along the crack and don't feel a pit, then it is a stress crack. As I suggested to BillSz, print out the posts regarding the cracking windshields and take them to your dealer.

[AndyT]

cheers mr.bill
my dealer wouldn't accept the fact it might not be my fault, and i should go through autoglass as my insurance would cover it anyway 'so what's the problem'.
Autoglass have now fitted a new screen - and it's a different colour! much lighter tint than the original.
They say that's as 'official' a screen as they come, so there's no more i can do.
The dealer will fit me another if i pay a fortune for it, but shouldn't my insurance cover get my MINI back to it's original state?
I don't understand why my windscreen now has to be a different colour.
i now feel responsible for spoiling my car and am in a reet huff with myself.
be warned anyone who needs a replacement, and i guess try to get the work done by the dealer, not a third party.

[Silver Surfer]

I think most dealers call in autoglass or other 3rd party window installers to do glass anyway and charge you extra

[ricardo]

Quote:

Originally posted by AndyT
The dealer will fit me another if i pay a fortune for it, but shouldn't my insurance cover get my MINI back to it's original state?

Yes, it should. Contact your insurance company/agent/broker and get them to sort it out for you.

And, unless you've already done so, don't pay the excess amount to Autoglass until you're satisfied that your car has the correct screen in it.

[Coopergeezer]

I got a crack in my windscreen 3 weeks after picking up my Mini, I was gutted. It was definetly caused by a stone as I heard the bang. I was really worried about taking it to Autoglass as I thought they would probably do a bodge job. Not the case at all, they were absolutely fantastic. They fitted the screen and even took the airbag sticker and tax disc holder off the old screen and put in on my new one. Their words to me were "Don't worry mate, you won't know it's been done". I couldn't agree more. Perfect!! :-)

[diverse]

The sound you heard may not have been a stone! the window would make a noise when it cracked!

I had my windscreen replaced as the damage was caused by another, cost £430 inc VAT! new side pillar trims etc, £168 labour!

If your gonna do it, do it properly!

[Coopergeezer]

Quote:

Originally posted by diverse
The sound you heard may not have been a stone!

It was definetly a stone, it was kicked up with a load of spray from a lorry. Also, you could feel where the stone had hit the glass.

Quote:

Originally posted by diverse
I had my windscreen replaced as the damage was caused by another, cost £430 inc VAT! new side pillar trims etc, £168 labour!

That's disgraceful, you've been done up like a kipper!!! Mine looks good as new and I only paid £50.

Quote:

Originally posted by diverse
If your gonna do it, do it properly!

I did do it properly. I rang Mini and they said to get Autoglass to do it. They said if I wanted, I could book it in to the Mini garage but they would only get an outside windscreen place to do it anyway.

[diverse]

I don't mind cos I am not paying for it, the company who caused the damage are! not my money = i don't care!

[Coopergeezer]

Glad you got it sorted anyway.

[Sejanus]

Just thought I'd add this here for anyone else trying to figure out a mysterious electrical failure. My MINI suffered a complete electrical failure the other day when I tried to start the engine while I already had the stereo on. There was no power at all in any electrical system. After opening the hood and checking the battery and closing it all up again power returned and I was able to start the car. Dealer looked it over and after consulting with their techline replaced the ignition switch and the main relay. So far so good.

[Sejanus]

So far not so good. On several occasion since the fix the car's electrical system has done strange things when starting the car. The electrical system will cut out for a moment, wiping out the trip counter and sometimes turning off the DSC (and you can't turn it back on without shutting off the engine and starting the car up again). This is admittedly just a minor annoyance, but how long until it all shuts down again and the car won't start again? Today a new wrinkle was added. I put the car in reverse and the electrics went out for a moment just as I described above, but taking the power steering out with it this time. It came back a moment later, but now I'm wondering if the car is going to fail on me on the road instead of just when I go to start it. It goes back into the shop on Monday.

[sketcher]

It failed on me on the road yesterday! I was at a red light (thank goodness) waiting for it to turn green then ****. My car shut itself off. I did notice that the light for the traction (the orange one with the triangle, ! and circle) came on. BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC?? There was no snow or ice on the ground.

[Sejanus]

Scarey. The traction light going off was one of the first signs of trouble mine gave me (though mine never went dead while running). It could be something else, but have them check the ignition switch.

[Goonery]

BC failures are rare, a unit swap out is the best option. call the emergency service and describe the problem. It can be swapped roadside if they have one on board.