Anyone install their Ian's Circuit in '05 using the "blind" method?
Well I had my Ian's circuit sitting in my office desk for 5 months now and decided to install it over lunch.. I can stick my hand in through the opening and touch the switch, but I cannot get switch out..
I am suppose to push the tab and flip the connector. But I cannot do both with my fingers.
If I push down and try to flip, my finger gets off the tab..
Am I suppose to fit both hands in that opening? Maybe my fingers are too short or something.

Any tips?

 

You need to have nimble fingers and small hands. Though I was able to get the connector off myself I had to have my young nephew help with the re-connect.

It takes some patience and perseverance. Keep trying, you get it.

 

Yes, push down and flip w/ one hand.
Take your time.
It took me 25-30mins to complete.
I did not want to rush, and did it right the 1st time.
Excellent mod.
Ians mod now comes w/ new blind instructions for 2005 cars.

 

I don't know why, but it took me seconds, and I got it on the first try. There's a latch that flips up over the back of the connector. That latch has to be pushed off the end, then it comes unconnected. The ribbon cable included with the auto circuit is extra long making installation even easier.

Just be prepared to ram your fist in there and take whatever pain and scratches come your way.

 

The first '05 I installed (a convertible late last summer soon after they came out), took me 20 minutes ...
The last '05 I installed (also a convertible, during the recent Long Island run), took me 3 minutes 6 seconds - yes I was timing it

Still not quite down to the 2 minutes for a pre-'05, but pretty close!

 

that almost scares me... but... scary in a good way!

-Josh

 

Thanks for the replies..

I'm going to have my girlfriend try next time.
On one hand, I have two purple bruises from bumping into the tabs, on the other hand, I have several scratches about 2 inches long.
No I don't have big hands. :impatient

 

I think this is the only place you will find with man admitting to having small hands. LOL

 

I got big hands and didnt have any problems... but then again I do have long fingers. I didnt follow the instructions I made my own like going from the passenger side of the car because it has no steering wheel in your face....then again when I was done I did have a little blood on my hand BUT no pain no gain!

-Josh

 

I have an '05 and didn't have any problems. Followed Ian's "modified" blind install instructions. Once you get the original connector off the only tricky thing is to make sure you line up the circuit connector since it is a bit smaller than the original.

Good luck.

 

And now a moment of silence....

Ian is no longer making the circuit. Guess I am lucky to be one of the "1000" with the circuit. EVERY mini owner I know who doesn't have it is so jealous. Kinda makes me glad I got one, and they can't get one...hehehe...

Joel

 

I ordered my circuit last month and just installed it this past weekend. I thought my hands were small enough, but damned if I didnt spend a good 30 minutes trying to get the circuit connector plugged in . Getting the original connector unplugged was easy one-handed.

My biggest fear was bending the pins on the back of the toggle switch panel. Other than that the instructions were really well written and overall it was a pretty easy install.

I guess I got lucky when I ordered the circuit when I did.

 

I did an install for a friend recently that owns an MC40, with aux gauges. You cannot access the trim panel because the gauges are in the way.

So instead I removed the downtubes and took out the toggle switch panel. I was able to connect the car wiring to the MINI circuit, then "persuade" the MINI circuit / connector combo through the hole in the dash behind the toggle switch panel.
After that it was an easy matter to plug the MINI circuit connector into the toggle switch panel and return everything to normal.

This install took me a bit longer than the blind method - but I have had lots of practice doing blind installs ... the downtube removal method may be preferable for folks that are having "blind trouble" :smile:

 

It took me about half an hour too, mainly due to being paranoid about bending the pins. It only took me a few minutes to get the original connector off, but my hands were so cramped after the whole ordeal that I took a night off from practicing guitar. It was definitely worth it, though! Great product.

 

I finally just sold mine. I didn't want to take the dash apart, and after bruising and a few slices to my hand, I just gave up. I don't think I have terribly large hands, but I sure couldn't get in there where I needed to.