I have had my new car for a few days and had a question about the power. When I have the key in, ignition off, the lighter has no power . I have to start the car to get power to the lighter. This was not the case with my 2005 MCS - is there something I am doing wrong, or can I change this?

 

Unfortunately, that is the way it is. More info is available in the "Electrical" section, in "Modifications"

 

press start without your foot on the brake, this will power up stuff without starting the engine

 

I kinda did the same thing in reverse. I couldn't find a source that would shut off when you turned off the MINI.
I hunted for the best place to "add-a-circuit" for my XM Sportscaster. After a coupe of trial and error runs in a much to warm garage, I used fuse F33 (dsc control). Shut off the engine and the XM goes dead....no 30 minutes to forever to power off. Hit the start button and the XM comes on, too.
There is a good sticky on the 2nd Gen Electronics board. The cigar lighter is on Terminal 15, which looses power with the engine off. Terminal 30 never power down. Terminal 30g drop after 30 minutes. Terminal 30g-f shuld power down at 5 minutes....just not for me?

 

Yeah! That worked great. I like to listen to the Sirius receiver while outside - so this worked great, Thanks.