Here is the problem.

The Alternator will intermittently quit charging the battery for some reason.

I have taken it on multiple 45-minute trips, just to shut it off upon arrival and be unable to start it again. I've checked the voltage the battery was dead 8.5v.

I've had the battery and the alternator replaced, The battery was coded, and I still have the problem.

I ran a multimeter into the cab to catch it when it happens and did catch it once. I got into the car one morning and the battery voltage was at 12.2v before starting the car. I fired it up. Usually, the alternator will lift the voltage to 14.3v but it didn't this time I drove it around for 40min to see if the alternator would start charging. It didn't. the voltage dropped from 12.2v to 11.4v during that time. Upon returning home I shut the car off and restarted it and the alternator started charging again. not sure what's going on

Also now I am having problems with the door locks intermittently not functioning, especially on the driver's side. They will sporadically not open or not lock with the fob or the interior lock buttons, leaving the car open, or locked out, on one or all doors.

Also, lately, the driver's side xenon headlight is much dimmer than the passenger side

I am suspecting a short on the driver's side messing with the computer, or a bad BCM possibly?

If anyone Has any idea I would be very appreciative

 

Usually when a car is running and the battery is pushing more voltage than the alternator, the red battery light would stay on indicating a charging issue. No codes?

 

Hi, thanks for the reply!

There was an orange Battery light when this first happened. But after the alternator changeout, there has been nothing. In the incident, I described where I had the multimeter monitoring the voltage neither the red or the orange battery light were on.

I attached a pic of the voltage just after starting, ODB2 scan with no codes on it, and some videos showing the behavior of the locks and the dim headlight.


Thanks

 

I think you need a scanner that you can get the specific MINI codes as the generic ones don't provide enough (or anything sometimes)…. Perhaps you have an issue with a board/module causing these electrical gremlins. Perhaps a short that kills both your battery and charging system and these (lights/locks) are symptoms of a bigger issue I think there are some computer boards/modules that have even extended warranty due to known electrical problems. So my best suggestion for the MIINI are a specific code reader for BMW/MINI or take it to the dealer and check for extended warranty on some of these computer board components that control everything.

 

Ok, thanks

I did not know that you needed a specific code reader. I'll look into getting one specific to Mini, and ill check for a warranty.

Thanks for the reply!

 

How long have you owned this 2015?

Yes, sir. That is one of the first things I learned about this Manufacturer... The best tool you will own is a Scanner that reads the Mini... I have a Schwaben Tool from @ECS Tuning. They have sales and if not may offer a forum discount. Great company. Once you are armed with information (from the scanner/codes) lots of good people here to help you further diagnose, get to a root cause, or suggest the best coarse of action if it is out of your skillset/scope...

 

I got it off the Mini dealer in 2016, it was a courtesy car they lent out. It Had 32000 Km's when I bought it, 180000 Km's now. It has been fairly good mechanically since I bought it.... until now. LOL.

I Bought a Mini-specific scanner that I think will do the job.

Here is the link if you are interested.

​​​​​​https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NT510-Elite-...72.m2749.l2649

Thanks again for the reply!