Last night the battery in my '05 MCS died (haven't tracked down the culprit yet - but probably will get a new battery anyway). Apparently completely discharged because event he trip odometer reset to 0 - it charged back up with no issues, but now the headlights (not drl's) come on when I turn the key to start - regardless of the position of the headlight switch -

Tried disconnecting the battery cables overnight to reset the computer, and charged the battery fully, but that didn't fix the problem. Looking for ideas to try next. I can't stand DRLs much less full on headlights all the time!

 

So, scanning the forums do I understand that DRLs are actually really just headlights full on and not at a lower level, so it is possible that when the battery ran down, the drl setting was somehow modified changed to on?

 

DRL are high beam only on reduced power.

 

The computer should remember the DRL setting independent of the battery. It is in flash memory or something.

 

Any other ideas? Need another approach to find this gremlin. Since DRLs are Highs on dim, this can't be a DRL issue, Also noticed that the capability to hit the stalk to have the lights come on temporarily has stopped functioning - and it may just be my imagination, but it seems that the headlights also don't project out as far from the front of the car as before- seems too short range, and the self leveling feature is more of a slight wink than the more exaggerated dip/nod that was there before.

 

Wife just noticed that the locks no longer automatically engage (one of the dealer controlled settings) so I'm going to go check now and see what else has possibly been changed. Didn't think that "lights on all the time no matter what" was an optional setting, though....

Still looking for other ideas. Hate to break down and call the dealer.

 

Sounds like it needs a trip to the dealer to check on the ecu settings. Sounds like they got corrupted.

 

Finally broke down and went to the dealer, expecting to just pay to have them reprogram all my settings. Told them that I also had a noisy PS Pump fan, pls check. They could not reprogram, could not find a problem, short of replacing the BC1. However, while standing over the engine compartment, pondering the problem, engine off, key out of the ignition, the PS Pump came on by itself and ran. PROBLEM SOLVED. Apparently a short in the Pump caused it to come on and run one night, hence my dead battery. Short also fed back into the BC1 and fried it. So, new pump, new fan, new BC1, $2600, Mini now good as new......no stinking DRLs.

Also learned how to re-initialize my second key - insert, turn to 1, remove, hold open button, press close three times, release both, locks cycle for confirmation, key works again.

Oh, and for some reason my headlights now point farther down the road....

 

Yeah, the BC1 controls your Xenon headlights and levelling, sounds like when they were stuck "on" they weren't properly levelled. Now they've replaced the BC1 module, they are back to normal!

Congrats, shame about the cost though, hey?

 

Lesson learned on the Headlights -
1) attempting to get them to project farther out before the fix, I used the adjustment screws on the light themselves - to very little effect, but now I have much better projection without excess glare to oncoming traffic.
2) according to the SA, drls are not High Beams on low power, rather low beams on low power. Either way, they are now gone!

Guess the cost was a necessary evil this time because I never would have found the problem myself.

 

The DRLs are def high beams, at least on my xenons.

 

They are that way on my MINI too. Xenon equipped.

 

Yes, the SA must be mistaken. DRLs are low powered high beams. Your xenon is the low beam, and they can't be "dimmed". It's like that on any BMW (Except those with corona rings "angel eyes".

 

Definitely take everyone's word on the DRLs - my quest was to get my headlights (Low beams - full on - all the time) back under my control. Honestly, I just repeated what I read on the forum to the tech and he disputed the point. I was just happy to get this all accomplished on a Friday afternoon at my friendly "neighborhood" dealer, 130 miles from my house!

Picking up my new to me 2009 Clubman S in Dallas this weekend - back under the gremlin slaying mini warranty.

 

If I remember correctly, there was a TSB or recall on the PS Pump harness which had a tendency to shaff and short out on the heat shield, making it run when car was shut off and tragically catch fire or drain the battery ?

Anyone else remember that info coming down the pike ?