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Is my MINI haunted?

Old Jul 8, 2012 | 06:56 AM
  #1  
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Is my MINI haunted?

A few nights ago, while my wife was in the parking area next to our cabin in the middle of nowhere, the interior lights lit up and the windows went halfway down. Her key was 40 miles away, so that is not an explanation. My key was in my pocket. I was less than 30 feet away if we are talking straight lines, but I was in the basement, and there was a solid concrete wall, no windows, between me and the car.

Can anyone suggest an exorcist that makes house calls?
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 09:07 AM
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Maybe it wanted to go for a ride.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 09:22 AM
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I am pushing 60,000 miles already on this one, so I hope that is not the explanation. Perhaps it was the heat?
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 09:25 AM
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I can unlock my car and roll down the windows from inside my house, through brick and several rooms made of drywall. For some reason, I have to be closer than that to the car in the parking lot at the grocery store.

Edit to add: I have heard of MINIs playing electrical tricks when the battery is about to go out.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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Were you and Dell singing a little Runaway? Maybe it got inspired.

Were you sitting down? I would guess somehow the unlock button was getting held down. Remotes use radio frequency so there doesn't need to be a direct sight line.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 09:40 AM
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Well, as Tom said later: I felt so good like anything was possible.

Why should a concrete block wall slow anything down?

I am still trying to divine how I pressed and held the button while I was walking around the basement, but that does seem to be the most logical explanation.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by whovous
I am pushing 60,000 miles already on this one, so I hope that is not the explanation. Perhaps it was the heat?
It may be heat-related. My '06 MCS kept randomly unlocking itself while driving last Saturday when it was a bit over 100F all day. It hadn't done that before or since.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 03:17 PM
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It was saying "hello"
 
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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Pure87
It may be heat-related. My '06 MCS kept randomly unlocking itself while driving last Saturday when it was a bit over 100F all day. It hadn't done that before or since.
I suggest you take your car to the dealer and have it looked at soon. My '09 Clubman is a Texas MINI so it spends a lot of time in 103+ heat on 60-mile trips and I have NEVER had that problem. When I get back to the car at the end of work, the thermometer reads 105 and the car works fine.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 04:54 AM
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I still vote for the key being pressed in the pocket...simple explanation IMO.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 06:20 AM
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Originally Posted by yetti96
I still vote for the key being pressed in the pocket...simple explanation IMO.
+1
A bounced radio signal...heck...the button might have been pressed for a long time...the car recieved a couple seconds of a signal...opended the windows...this has been seen lots on gen1 cars, for us it is a simple key desgin issue....one tight pocket or a purse, and some preasure....and the windows/sunroof opens....
but...who you gonna call!! Ghostbusters!!!
 
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 08:05 AM
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Hmmm- I don't think Lucas, Prince of Darkness, even works there anymore...

Val
 
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 12:06 PM
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From: Long Beach, Ca.
Haunted Mini

I believe the ignition modules transmit a radio frequency to lock/unlock the vehicle. if you press and hold the unlock button the car will unlock, dome light will go on and the windows will roll down. If your module was in your pocket and you bent down for any length of time where the middle button can be depressed all these things can happen. I get this from time-to-time when I work on my car in the garage.

Or, the worst case is, your car needs an exorcisim!

Happy Motoring!
4Quarts
 
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 12:18 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by whovous
A few nights ago, while my wife was in the parking area next to our cabin in the middle of nowhere, the interior lights lit up and the windows went halfway down. Her key was 40 miles away, so that is not an explanation. My key was in my pocket. I was less than 30 feet away if we are talking straight lines, but I was in the basement, and there was a solid concrete wall, no windows, between me and the car.

Can anyone suggest an exorcist that makes house calls?
CHRISTINE???
 
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