Hello Mini Gurus:

I just purchased a 2013 cooper R56 Baker Street Edition but the lighting control does not work properly.

o When power on & engine off, the lighting control on left side of steering wheel column works properly. Light changes as I switch from AUTO, OFF, PARKING LIGHT, AND LOW BEAM.
o When engine is running. Low beam/DRL (can’t tell difference) and side marker/parking lights are on ALL THE TIME, DAY OR NIGHT. No matter how I play the switch, it wont go off. Anyone have an idea on how to fix this?
o I can’t tell the difference between the DRL and Low beam, is there a difference?

Any input is appreciated!

Chris

 

Is the car battery the original? If so it could be going bad. These cars do strange things when the battery is failing. Could be other things but that would be my first diagnostic step. Many auto supply shops will test battery for you.

 

Thanks for the response. However, I think it should behave normally when the engine is running - because the electrical power is supplied by alternater by then I believe.

 

go through the setting menu. maybe the lights are set to on all the time.

 

You would think that is correct, but it isn't always the case. The alternator charges the battery, so the alternator could be bad, the battery could also be bad and not allowing the correct power to the devices in the car.

My other MINI would not power any devices through the 12v outlets, even with the car running. After changing the battery everything worked again.

As I said, could be something else entirely.

 

Thank you for the reply. I tried that, no luck,

 

do your widows work ?

 

I see. will check the battery for sure. This is just so wired that it works when power is on and stopped working when the engine is on.

 

Yes, they do, including moon roof.

Even the light control level works fine when power on and engine off.

However, the control level stops working when the engine is on... No matter what I do, headlamp and side markers are on all the time.