Cooper (non-S) Electrical issues and no ignition turnover
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Electrical issues and no ignition turnover
Good Day to Everyone!!!
I come seeking knowledge for I am a brand new Mini Cooper Owner. I will set the stage for this....ummm ummm ummm. I recently bought a 2010 Mini Cooper non turbo w/ manual that would not start. I always wanted one and figured I would take the chance on it. I didnt pay much for it in my opinion so I said hey why not. I am some what mechanically inclined so that is why I took the chance. What I know about the car... The car had its battery changed and was not hooked up to a external power source. Previous owner said they did drive it afterwards for about a month and then bought a new car cause they needed a bigger vehicle. They did have a brand new car in the driveway. Checked the oil and it was used but not dark, definitely was used but just a dark amber color. No milky frothy looking stuff under the fill cap and top had same color oil in it from dipstick. No leaks anywhere around the vehicle and it did not look like someone had just washed it. All fluids were in right range and all looked normal. Interior looked brand new and the car only has 106k miles on it. Paint in great condition and tires had plenty of life on it. Everything about this car to me said take a chance on it.
Now description of problem:
Key fob unlocks door with zero issues. Get in the car put the fob in the ignition slot and nothing happens, no lights on the instrument panels come at all, fuel indication isnt on either... I mean nothing turns on. Its almost like the car doesnt recognize there is even a fob in it. They only had one key fob with the car so I cant check to see if it was the fob. Well the fob could be pulled out with it in so I read to change that. I also read you dont have to reprogram anything just for that. I swapped it out and still nothing. Before doing all of that I checked all the fuses/ relays under the hood... swapped relays that were alike, ohmed fuses, multi-meter volt checks, and visually all checked out good. I checked all the fuses on the passenger side visually taking them out and ohming them, all good. The battery was brand new, but was low from sitting at 9.3v, and I recharged it to to 12.4v. I never found a bad relay or fuse. I took a volt check at the stater and battery volt was present at big red wire (12.4v). I still feel like its the fob/ignition switch or something to do with it not sending a signal to the starter. I called mini... I stay an hour away and would have to tow it there. Tried to get some helpful info and he was reluctant of course. He said the ignition has to be reprogrammed and that was the CAS. I thought the CAS was a module like the left foot well module... oh yeah I took that out too and it looked good inside and out, no burn marks or evidence of water. But I have no way to electrically check it. This mini cooper is a hardtop, i forgot to mention that and I live in AZ. If I hit the right button on the tach meter the odometer will pop up, a small triangle with a ! mark, and the bigger one will be a car on a jack (amber color). Ive read this is just notifying that a service is due? Can someone confirm? If I hold the right button it will not let me go in that "secret menu".Now more baffling things... I cant turn my headlights on, but can turn on parking lights, horn works, windows dont work but I assume that is because the car isnt turned on or in Aux mode. Radio works with key not in slot but I have also read that is normal, can someone confirm? Windows do however creep down every now and then when unlocking car but there is no rhyme or reasoning to it. Sunroof doesnt work but once again I assume its because nothing is on with the cluster. The door locks will make a noise like they are trying to unlock or lock by their self including the back hatch. Inside door lock by window buttons wont do anything either. The interior lights work just like any other car when you open the door... dome light and foot well lights come on. I dont have access to reprogram anything or at least I dont know where and how to get the software without spending an arm and a leg if anyone thinks something needs to be reprogrammed.
So am I crazy for thinking it is the ignition/ or key fob still? Oh I asked Mini if they can check the fob if I take them just the fob and he told me he cant. It could also be the foot well module with all the electrical issues too? It could be both of them. Has anyone experienced any thing like this before? Reading some of these forums I see most people ask to be specific so thats why I went into great detail. Also I noticed some people like to get on and troll or be condescending towards the poster, no need for that. I just need helpful information that may help me solve this issue. I am trying to avoid going to mini seeing they want to charge $200 just to scan it and $135 I believe he said an hour. Thank you in advanced for any help you may be able to provide.
I am so new I dont even know if this is the right place to post lol.
I come seeking knowledge for I am a brand new Mini Cooper Owner. I will set the stage for this....ummm ummm ummm. I recently bought a 2010 Mini Cooper non turbo w/ manual that would not start. I always wanted one and figured I would take the chance on it. I didnt pay much for it in my opinion so I said hey why not. I am some what mechanically inclined so that is why I took the chance. What I know about the car... The car had its battery changed and was not hooked up to a external power source. Previous owner said they did drive it afterwards for about a month and then bought a new car cause they needed a bigger vehicle. They did have a brand new car in the driveway. Checked the oil and it was used but not dark, definitely was used but just a dark amber color. No milky frothy looking stuff under the fill cap and top had same color oil in it from dipstick. No leaks anywhere around the vehicle and it did not look like someone had just washed it. All fluids were in right range and all looked normal. Interior looked brand new and the car only has 106k miles on it. Paint in great condition and tires had plenty of life on it. Everything about this car to me said take a chance on it.
Now description of problem:
Key fob unlocks door with zero issues. Get in the car put the fob in the ignition slot and nothing happens, no lights on the instrument panels come at all, fuel indication isnt on either... I mean nothing turns on. Its almost like the car doesnt recognize there is even a fob in it. They only had one key fob with the car so I cant check to see if it was the fob. Well the fob could be pulled out with it in so I read to change that. I also read you dont have to reprogram anything just for that. I swapped it out and still nothing. Before doing all of that I checked all the fuses/ relays under the hood... swapped relays that were alike, ohmed fuses, multi-meter volt checks, and visually all checked out good. I checked all the fuses on the passenger side visually taking them out and ohming them, all good. The battery was brand new, but was low from sitting at 9.3v, and I recharged it to to 12.4v. I never found a bad relay or fuse. I took a volt check at the stater and battery volt was present at big red wire (12.4v). I still feel like its the fob/ignition switch or something to do with it not sending a signal to the starter. I called mini... I stay an hour away and would have to tow it there. Tried to get some helpful info and he was reluctant of course. He said the ignition has to be reprogrammed and that was the CAS. I thought the CAS was a module like the left foot well module... oh yeah I took that out too and it looked good inside and out, no burn marks or evidence of water. But I have no way to electrically check it. This mini cooper is a hardtop, i forgot to mention that and I live in AZ. If I hit the right button on the tach meter the odometer will pop up, a small triangle with a ! mark, and the bigger one will be a car on a jack (amber color). Ive read this is just notifying that a service is due? Can someone confirm? If I hold the right button it will not let me go in that "secret menu".Now more baffling things... I cant turn my headlights on, but can turn on parking lights, horn works, windows dont work but I assume that is because the car isnt turned on or in Aux mode. Radio works with key not in slot but I have also read that is normal, can someone confirm? Windows do however creep down every now and then when unlocking car but there is no rhyme or reasoning to it. Sunroof doesnt work but once again I assume its because nothing is on with the cluster. The door locks will make a noise like they are trying to unlock or lock by their self including the back hatch. Inside door lock by window buttons wont do anything either. The interior lights work just like any other car when you open the door... dome light and foot well lights come on. I dont have access to reprogram anything or at least I dont know where and how to get the software without spending an arm and a leg if anyone thinks something needs to be reprogrammed.
So am I crazy for thinking it is the ignition/ or key fob still? Oh I asked Mini if they can check the fob if I take them just the fob and he told me he cant. It could also be the foot well module with all the electrical issues too? It could be both of them. Has anyone experienced any thing like this before? Reading some of these forums I see most people ask to be specific so thats why I went into great detail. Also I noticed some people like to get on and troll or be condescending towards the poster, no need for that. I just need helpful information that may help me solve this issue. I am trying to avoid going to mini seeing they want to charge $200 just to scan it and $135 I believe he said an hour. Thank you in advanced for any help you may be able to provide.
I am so new I dont even know if this is the right place to post lol.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post