dashboard lights issues!!

[eoin71uk]

Hi
I have a mini one 2001. Over last few days the lights on the dashboard have been coming on and off without reason. For eg indicators work outside car but not inside, same for when i put headlights on, work outside but not inside. Tyre pressure light came on, got tyres to right pressure but then it wouldnt go off. Like I said, it has been random over last few days but now all the time.. any ideas please... dont really want to take to dealer for a simple issue...
Cheers
eoin71uk

[mab01uk]

How old is your battery? if is the original 2001 BMW battery it will be near end of its life and can cause what you are describing even though it can still start the car. Mine is a 2002 Mini and the original battery failed last month, modern cars like the Mini have much electronics which can be affected in strange ways by low battery power.

[eoin71uk]

mini is old but battery is new less than year old, also back lights are staying on for 5 minutes plus once car has been locked and left

[mab01uk]

May be worth checking the BC1 for damp/corrosion, bad connections, also any bad earth connections, water ingress to light units, etc, more details here:
The BC1 (Body Control Unit) - Forums

[eoin71uk]

I have had a look at the bc1 there is no sign of water damage, i checked connections and fiddled a bit and indicator lights came back on, they are still random but garage did a diagnostic check and said i would need a bc1 which would cost me all in all £550 and could not guarantee that would be what it was. Do not have this kind of money at the moment. So will have to wait. Am i actually doing car any damage driving whilst in this state? Any other advice?

[mab01uk]

If you read the link I posted above, there are details of where you can pick up reconditioned and used BC1 for a lot less than that but would still need programming/coding to your Mini which Dealer are not always willing to do with used parts, so best done by a independent auto electrician with the access to the specialist BMW software.

It could be just something like a bad earth, connection or damp in some other control module or wiring connector around the car though. These faults can be difficult to trace even for a garage with diagnostics especially when intermittent!