Okay some of you have read my rantings in an earlier thread about getting my rear fog lamps operational to pass the Single Vehicle Approval test over here in London, England. I have an 02 car so the car is completely outfitted with the rear fog wiring harness and even came loaded with the fog bulbs in place. The only problem is that once I have put in the new 6 toggle switch plate the cars software needs to be "flashed" so the computer knows to activate the new set up. The dealers over here in England, at least the one I have gone to so far have never done this before, are not very creative thinkers about how to get it done and BMW is not being very helpful either.

So, this is what I need to know:
Have any NAM members in the USA had this procedure done at a Mini Dealership? If you have would you please provide me with the dealer name, and the tech guy you worked with to get this feature operational.
A telephone number would be helpful too but if you can give the above info I will take it from there. What I intend to do is to put the local UK Mini dealer on a conference call with your dealer and see what is possible. Hopefully I can ge this done before I kill someone. Thanks

 

I responded to your other post. Pay particular attention to page 2.

 

I had mine done at Crown MINI in Richmond, VA.

I think most US dealers have done it based on comments here.

 

Cincinnati MINI did mine. Don't have the name of the actual techie, but Maryann McGee was my service advisor. Cincy MINI's number is 001-513-271-8700. They are on Eastern Time, 5 hrs behind Zulu time.

 

Thanks Leel and MGCMAN if the dealer over hear will call to the USA I will have him call Cincinnati I am quite familiar with that town since I graduated from UC Industrial Design, thanks for the contacts everyone!


I did fax over to the Sytner BMW/Mini the dealer bulletin from the USA that explains the procedure so now we shall see what's possible. Actually not all dealers are that familiar for instance I asked Mini of Darien Connecticut for assitance a few days ago and they had no idea how to perform the flash.

 

2002 JCWS, CR/WR, Custom Stars & Stripes Roof Flag, Custom OZ Crono's w/ Yoko AVS 100's, BFP CF Intake Soop, BMP Gauge Pod, 2004 HU w/AUX

What is Soop?

 

Now for some great news thanks to everyone (MGCMAN, KevinR and LeeL) that have responded to my please for help it appears the correct solution is obtainable in the UK after all. One of the dealers I faxed the Parts Bulletin to said they understand what needs to be done with the software based on what was in the Bulletin. They also said they would only charge me for 30 minutes of time since that is what the bulletin says it should take, even if it takes an hour. Shop rates over here BTW are $105.00 an hour! They did say however that they have not done this procedure before which is understandable because UK cars don't need it done. But the key thing here is they are willing to give it a try regardless of what BMW tells them. Now that's worth applauding My appointment is on Monday at 11am and hopefully by the days end I will be ready to take that darn SVA exam:smile:

I could not have done this without the NAM members, thanks guys

Hey good catch webstrands no one has ever noticed that including me or at least was willing to point that out I will have to change it. Or, I could say that Soop is a brand new hi-tech induction system but somehow I don't think that would go over too well.

 

[QUOTE=MGear]They also said they would only charge me for 30 minutes of time since that is what the bulletin says it should take, even if it takes an hour. Shop rates over here BTW are $105.00 an hour! /QUOTE]

Wow I asked my dealer for a rear fog light programming here in the bay area, and they are going to charge me 1 hour at $145....... .. So I'm not sure what to do now, since I have already bought the full switch kit for the rear fog lights for my car... Need to look for a cheaper place in California I guess..

Anyone in Cali that had it done for much cheaper please let me know which dealership.. I don't mind if it's in Northern or Southern California..


///Gilbert

 

MINI of Mountain View did it for me for 1/2 labor which was $60 or so. They also gave me a rental car to use for the day.

[QUOTE=betet]

 

Betet, the official Mini Aftersales Parts Bulletin states a suggested Installation time of .05 hours. I don't know if that includes the installation of the toggle switch consul or not. It doesn't take that long to install the switch panel, it took me about 20 minutes tops and I don't do this sort of stuff enough to really do it efficiently. You might be able to save a bit if you install the switch panel yourself.

Print out the following documents:
Page 1:
http://www.motoringfile.com/pictures/minileaflet.jpg

Page 2:
http://www.motoringfile.com/picture...leafletback.jpg

Print out the pages above of the official bulletin and take it to your dealer perhaps that will set them straight. I got the above reference bulletin from KevinR and cannot thank him enough for the info it really sealed the deal for me over here in the UK where no dealer even understood how to approach solving the problem. I was actaully quoted $600.00 to do the job and the dealers solution was to "hardwire" the set up

Good luck let us know what happens after you have spoken to the dealer

 

Oh yeah, I am installing the switch myself... But I guess w/ my dealer, as long as "programming" is involved.. 1 hour is automatically charged ..

///Gilbert

 

You're welcome, but you should really thank Gabe Bridger at MotoringFile. That's where I first saw them and Gabe's the person who maintains access to them.

 

Okay I will make sure to do that KevinR.

 

Well, the first dealer over here tried following the instructions on the Dealer Bulletin from the USA and guess what, it didn't work . Not only were they not able to "flash" the software successfully their attempts caused the front lights, brake lights and front fog lights to go inactive
The good news is they were able to atleast get the software back to normal except my left rear brake light won't work now
I have an appointment with another dealer this evening. They will have the car for two days if they are not able to get the new switch to activate the rear fog lights I will have to have the rear fogs hard wired with a separate auxiliary swtich Not the most pleasing option but it only has to work long enough to pass inspection. Once that's achieved I will pull it out

 

Have you tried emailing MINI USA customer service to see if they can help you?

mini.assistance@askminiusa.com

 

I have not been able to find a single US spec mini over her yet believe it or not. But I will make contact with the email address you provided and see what shakes out that way, thanks!

 

I'm sure US government personnel can purchase US spec MINIs in the UK, so one would think they would have to support servicing them somehow.

 

MINIAC I have not been able to find anyone that fits that scenario. I have given up at this point. I drove the car to the nearest dealer and just told them to get the rear fogs working, I don't care what it takes just get it done in 48 hours.

This will be my last BMW product.