[fozworth]

I have just bought a new indicator stalk with a computor button so i can retro fit the computor option but the new stalk has a red light on the end the same as my wiper stalk which shows the Alarm is activated .So what is the red light on the indicator side for ?and will it matter if its not used.or can it also be used for something else

[Random]

That light indicates whether the alarm system is armed.

[DaFlake]

Yep, you have an alarm stalk. However, you can use it as you would the normal one.

[MartinSSZ]

You've got an stalk which would usually be fitted to alarm-equipped post January 2005 cars, when MINI introduced the low washer fluid warning light on the right hand stalk.

The alarm LED swapped stalks at that stage, so you'll now have 2 - except that the "new" one won't work unless you wire it up

[fozworth]

Hi thanks for that so if my stalk on the wiper side already has a factory alarm light does this one just not work .basicaly i bought it for the computor switch so i can retro fit one so i can still do that cant i?I guess a red light both sides will look quite cool anyway.

[MartinSSZ]

Should work absolutely fine, I can't imagine that they'd have changed the connector or pin layout between stalk types

[rkw]

Quote: Originally Posted by Random (original)

That light indicates whether the alarm system is armed.

Here's a bit of trivia. I've read that the alarm stalk will flash when the car is off, whether or not the alarm is armed, and the rest of the system doesn't even have to be installed! Installing just the stalk can function as a decoy alarm system.

[CoolCarStuff]

Question then...as we are talking stalks (ot...)

Can you replace the wiper stalk with a later one too...?

Does anyone know what sensor reports and what controls the low fluid led?

DJ

[MartinSSZ]

DJ - I'd imagine that you can physically swap them over, but the level sensor in the washer bottle and the wiring for it won't be in place on cars built before January 05.

If you're desperate for the feature I'm sure you could fit the level sensor/swap your washer bottle to one with a sensor, and replicate the wiring to the stalk. Not sure if it's a direct feed from the sensor to the stalk or whether the BC ECU is involved...

[CoolCarStuff]

..thanks for the reply...

I would imagine the BC will be involved... knowing our luck!

I did have a quick look at one, and it looked like the actual stalk had changes in the switches for front/rear wiper... need to have a closer look!

I guess we could even use it (or the other one) as a shift light... he he...

DJ

[MartinSSZ]

My research confirms that the BCU is indeed involved, and it changed at the same point so the older versions are unlikely to carry the functionality to support the level sensor

The sensor switch itself switches an earth path to the BCU, which then provides a 12V signal to the washer stalk to illuminate the LED.

There are a number of different types of stalk available, depending on:

* Rain sensing wipers/not
* Convertible (or GP) or not (presence of rear wiper)
* Washer level LED or not

So you might have seen a stalk with an LED but for a convertible or for rain-sensing wipers. Then again they might have changed it, but I don't recall any functional or operational difference between my Cooper (June 2003) and my brother's One (Feb 2005) which have the same wiper system (normal Hatchback non-sensing)

[chris.lamb]

I changed my left stalk for the post 2005 version with red alarm LED.
Its a simple job to wire this up to the right stalk and get both RED LED's to flash.
Looks very Night Rider !!!!!!!

[CoolCarStuff]

Thanks Martin...good post...

Yes, it looks likethe one I saw must have had no rear wipe... I assumed that perhaps the later car used the front auto wipers to work the rear ...my 03 mcs has auto wipers and the rear is still manual... hence I noticed the difference....

Thanks for the info....

DJ

[Eric_Rowland]

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original)

Here's a bit of trivia. I've read that the alarm stalk will flash when the car is off, whether or not the alarm is armed, and the rest of the system doesn't even have to be installed! Installing just the stalk can function as a decoy alarm system.

I can confirm that. On my '04 I installed the system, and upon locking the red stalk flashed before the dealer had activated the system. I confirmed via jacking up the car (tilt sensor) before and after that the alarm had not been activated.