MINI Cooper S electrical gremlins

2003 MINI Cooper S.

First one is straight forward- Car won't start. All dash lights work, headlights, etc. Turn key, no click or any action at all.

Battery reads 13.28 V. The meter doesn't change when I turn the key.

I'm thinking starter. Anyone disagree? Clutch override switch? Battery? Alarm system? Other culprits?

Second one is a little weirder. The RH turn signal won't shut off. Regardless of which position the switch is in, whether the engine is running or not. If the key is in the "ON" position, the turn signal is on.

Is there a module that controls this?

I'm having a bad feeling I am pulling apart the steering column and changing the turn signal switch. What say the hive??

Are you getting 12v to your solenoid wire when you turn the key?

Look for a rats nest under the hood.

bgkast wrote: Are you getting 12v to your solenoid wire when you turn the key?

That was my next check.

It's tough to reach (under the exhaust manifold), so I haven't done it yet.

I'll keep you posted.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the BCM.

RealMiniDriver wrote: I wouldn't be surprised if it was the BCM.

Any particular reason?

Should have mentioned...

Car runs if I push start it.

Several of the idiot lights stay on.

BCM. Hmmm...

First problem sounds like el startero el deado

The first problem does sound like a starter to me. The second one.... I have no idea. I'm still mad at mine.

In reply to ryanty22:

I agree, except....

...because BMW electrical.

If we surmise that the BCM could be questionable (which could explain all the other weirdness), it could be creating a fault in the alarm system code which is acting like a kill switch.

Forgot to mention... moisture did get into the car around the poorly sealed Lexan windshield at the Challenge. It now has a new windshield, but that could have potentially meant moisture in the BCM.

Geeeez I have always liked Minis but stories like this creep me out. I hate electrical problems more than anything. I feel your pain.

SVreX wrote:

RealMiniDriver wrote: I wouldn't be surprised if it was the BCM.

Any particular reason?

Mine exhibited a no start scenario. All dash lights lit up, even with the key out of the ignition. Windows wouldn't work. Push start got it going. Took it straight to the dealer, and they determined it was the BCM. $1500~ later, it was fine. Well, almost. The headlight leveler module ceased to function. The headlights worked,but they wouldn't level themselves.

This was the beginning of the end of my love for the car.

i had a problem with mine that sounded exactly the same. turned out it wasthe battery after all. measured great with a meter, but put a load and suddenly no volts. windows, light, everything, worked perfect, but turn the key and nothing. just saying....

I've heard of the same issue as RacerDave but not experienced it myself. Try adding a good battery with jumper cables and see if it corrects itself.

Well? Curious minds are awaiting the outcome.

I was just going to ask the same thing.

Torrential downpours all week.

You are going to have to be patient.

My '02 had a weird issue like that. All the sudden it would not start. When turning the key, the wipers would go on along with other random accessories. I thought the electrical system had taken a dump. New battery fixed everything.

racerdave600 wrote: i had a problem with mine that sounded exactly the same. turned out it wasthe battery after all. measured great with a meter, but put a load and suddenly no volts. windows, light, everything, worked perfect, but turn the key and nothing. just saying....

I seem to remember that some one else I knew had the same problem.

RealMiniDriver wrote: I wouldn't be surprised if it was the BCM.

Yep. That was my first thought as well.

No start: starter; not common, but not unheard of either.

No start + other 'issues': BCM. Again, not common, but not unheard of either.

The downside is while the actual replacement isn't a big deal, the new unit will need to be programmed for the car. I'm not 100% sure if any indy shop is equipped for that.

How old is the battery? I know you said the voltage tested as good, but I've seen MINI's do strange things that were cured by replacing the battery. They seem to like a new one every 4 years.

In reply to Ian, I've heard about the battery usage in MINIs as well, as was shocked to find that mine was the original from 2006! Not bad. I would have sworn my issue was the neutral safety switch, but turned out only to be the battery.

My disco turned on its own radio with the ignition off because of a low battery. :D

In reply to racerdave600:
Mine has the original from 2003. So far, so good.

DeadSkunk wrote: In reply to racerdave600: Mine has the original from 2003. So far, so good.

12 year old battery? Damn... that's some borrowed time there. I don't know of anyone (and I really do know a lot of MINI owners through the local clubs) who's gotten even half that without things going wonky.

Ian F wrote:

DeadSkunk wrote: In reply to racerdave600: Mine has the original from 2003. So far, so good.

12 year old battery? Damn... that's some borrowed time there. I don't know of anyone (and I really do know a lot of MINI owners through the local clubs) who's gotten even half that without things going wonky.

Pulled mine last summer, original from 2005.