I think my MINI is sick....it's been having a power problem lately. When I park my car and turn off the engine, I've been finding that my car completely shuts down.....no interior lighting, clock and odometer resets. Then, my door won't open since the window won't go down....so i have to start the engine (which still stumble on first try...then start fine on the second try), shut off the engine, then try to get out again. Usually on the second time, the interior light goes on when I shut off the engine which is a signal to me that my door window will go down making it possible for me to exit.

Now, after a long hard day at work....I get back to my car, only to find that my window won't go down when I try to open my door....the remote won't make the windows go down either. So I have to gently open my door without breaking my window, then repeat my start engine...stumble...try again...start engine....process, roll down the window, then shut my door.

Now, after all that, I proceed to set my clock....and cry!!!!!

Ok, so maybe I don't cry, but I'm really frustrated. I placed a call into the service department and left a message, but no call back yet. I'm afraid that with all my "single mom" rushing around I do, I might not notice the window, attempt to fly my door open only to break the glass. I guess my only choice is to try to be extra careful until I can take my car in for servicing.

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my thread..... :smile:

Oh, and my car is averaging 15mpg...

_________________
keikilee - 03 CB/CB MC, Xenon, CVT

 

Whoa -- I'm taken aback by those setbacks. Count on me to give you a ride from MoH to/from whereever. Call & just let me know when, k. Gosh, I hope that all those ailments can be brought back 100%. Thank goodness for our warranties :smile: .

 

>>I think my MINI is sick....it's been having a power problem lately. When I park my car and turn off the engine, I've been finding that my car completely shuts down.....no interior lighting, clock and odometer resets. Then, my door won't open since the window won't go down....so i have to start the engine (which still stumble on first try...then start fine on the second try), shut off the engine, then try to get out again. Usually on the second time, the interior light goes on when I shut off the engine which is a signal to me that my door window will go down making it possible for me to exit.
>>
>>Now, after a long hard day at work....I get back to my car, only to find that my window won't go down when I try to open my door....the remote won't make the windows go down either. So I have to gently open my door without breaking my window, then repeat my start engine...stumble...try again...start engine....process, roll down the window, then shut my door.
>>
>>Now, after all that, I proceed to set my clock....and cry!!!!!
>>
>>Ok, so maybe I don't cry, but I'm really frustrated. I placed a call into the service department and left a message, but no call back yet. I'm afraid that with all my "single mom" rushing around I do, I might not notice the window, attempt to fly my door open only to break the glass. I guess my only choice is to try to be extra careful until I can take my car in for servicing.
>>
>>Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my thread..... :smile:
>>
>>Oh, and my car is averaging 15mpg...

Something is up with your computer (or power to it). Time for a call to the service advisor and tell them to check out exactly what you have described. Also do it at a time that is best for you and get a loaner- PM me if you need assistance on that.
If you need some additional help beyond that just let me know I will make time for you the next few days if needed.
Check your PM from me.

Chin up, you'll be fine soon, Will be in contact.

_________________
ALOHA

 

Keikilee -

Sorry to hear that you're having some difficulties with the car. The folks down at the service shop should take good care of you though. Just make sure that your salesperson / Darrel know what's goin on as well.

If you have any problems, please let me know and I'll do what I can to help out.

-Andy

 

aawwwww....you folks are the greatest!!!! I feel the love!

I'm going to try calling the service department (again) as soon as they open tomorrow morning. I'm sure I could live with this for a few more days, but I'm not sure my MINI is willing.

Darrel, Aka is on vacation, so expect a call from me tomorrow. HELP!!!

 

Maybe it's something simple. Did you check both the positive and negative cables at the battery? Maybe it's loose.

 

I thought about that, but haven't checked it (long day at work....open house at my son's school). If it were the battery, would the channels on my radio reset as well? that's one of the things that is still the same when I start up my car. The clock and trip meter will go back to zero, but my radio stays ok...but perhaps there's some sort of internal memory that isn't affected by the main car battery.

I will definitely take a look tomorrow morning. Thanks for the idea!

 

It could be one of the many electronic boxes that MINI and BMW uses to control function in your car. I believe it is a Body Control Unit that is probably messing up. Call Darrel ASAP and see if he can get you in tomorrow. Hopefully, they will be able to get you a loaner car or a rental from Enterprise.

 

Sorry to hear about your car. It is interesting, though...I have never heard of this problem before. Please keep us posted on the cause and solution for your problem. So... I was wondering... since we won't be able to open the door when there's no electricity, what happens if I drive off a bridge and into a river? Am I going to drown...?

Rupta

 

No electricity means no power connection.
Sometimes works means intermittent- an interruption for whatever reason.
The service people can troubleshoot the source once given the story.
Nothing new for BMW. Fix on the way. Processing. Processing.

 

Ok Keikilee,
To cheer you up I found a picture of your MINI's big brother
check it out:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...88&start=0
And note the all black lower front bumper grille and blue tint to the headlights.
Change out those side markers and add the S to fool people- paint the red S gold or something.
Have fun. Check out those flik wheels from Edge Racing. Lower cost than R90 about 19 pounds per rim. Nice polished silver lip with dark center finish. Lots of eye candy.

 

Rupta,

You shouldn't drown if you ordered the JBS package for your MINI. With this kit, as soon as your car submerges, the airtight seals com into play and special baffles cover your wheelwells. The dashboard converts to tell you depth to keel, nautical speed and angle of ascent or descent. Unfortunately, there is no periscope. Ahh, the wonders of the James Bond Submarine kit.

Now seriously, if you go off the road and into the water, just push the door open and forget about the automatic window drop.

 

>>Ok Keikilee,
>>To cheer you up I found a picture of your MINI's big brother
>>check it out:
>>https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...88&start=0
>>And note the all black lower front bumper grille and blue tint to the headlights.
>>Change out those side markers and add the S to fool people- paint the red S gold or something.
>>Have fun. Check out those flik wheels from Edge Racing. Lower cost than R90 about 19 pounds per rim. Nice polished silver lip with dark center finish. Lots of eye candy.

=======================================

ooohhhhhh......me likes it!!!!! That's great, minihune, thanks!!! I love that black look. I can't wait to start the rest of my exterior mods.....but first I gotta take care of this stinky problem (and dump a whole bunch of cash into the SoCal economy this fall while on vacation.) Maybe I'll start my mods after x-mas.

I contacted Mark in the Service Department, and they can't take me until 9/23, luckily my problems are intermittent. I'm ok with that since Friday and Monday (including weekends) are days where I really need my car. Mark has stated that he thinks this is a day job...so I'm crossing my fingers. I will keep you all posted.

Jeez, Rupta, that's scary! Bridges, rivers and windows, oh my!

 

I would leave it just the way it is....if your odometer resets you will have a lifetime warranty!!

 

I visited MINI today and got a chance to talk with The_Beastmaster and Justin, both of which thought I may have a BCU (Body control unit?) problem. Justin was nice enough to check inventory and found that they have some in stock. Hopefully that's the problem as it would yeild a relatively short service time.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

My MINI has been better since I posted this thread....isn't that always the case??? Maybe my MINI felt guilty...or maybe she got scared when I scolded her while holding a sledge hammer. hmmmm....makes me think.

I'll post again after servicing.

 

I just re-read your original post ad saw that you are averaging 15 mpg??? My 540i with it's go fast components and my lead foot gets 15 - 16 mpg! Tell the service guy about your horrible mileage. They may be able to pull up a fault code and see why it is so.

 

>>I just re-read your original post ad saw that you are averaging 15 mpg??? My 540i with it's go fast components and my lead foot gets 15 - 16 mpg! Tell the service guy about your horrible mileage. They may be able to pull up a fault code and see why it is so.

You're getting 15 and I'm trying hard for 40 mpg. (I only managed 34 on the hwy so far but I am working on it.)
15 I could get if I parked my car and cranked up the stereo with the AC on and ran my battery dry like three times a week. On heavy track days I can still manage about 21. (due to driving highway to and from the track no doubt).

For a CVT you should be getting about 27 or better mixed driving- maybe a little less around town. I think there is a mongoose under your bonnet sipping air, enjoying the warmth and gnawing on your fuel inlet line. Tell you son to go find him soon. :evil:

 

*keikilee: Everything better now?? Please let all of us know...

 

I haven’t been able to take my car in yet….my scheduled appointment was on Tuesday but a conflict came up. It was a matter of….pick up my assistant who hasn’t come to work since the bus strike…or…take my MINI in for servicing. Being that I’m slammed at the office, it was far more important for me to get my assistant in to get some work done. My boss is insane to think that I can do both her and my own work, so I made the sacrifice to haul her butt into the office. There’s got to be a better way to make a living! Anyways, my schedule is booked solid for the next few days, and may run into next week, so I’m really not sure how I’ll manage to get my car in.

Waaaaaahhhhh….I need a new life, or at least one that is a little less hectic!

 

*keikilee: One day soon, you'll be boss & will understand real world dilemmas. Keep the faith, kido!

 

>>I haven’t been able to take my car in yet….my scheduled appointment was on Tuesday but a conflict came up. It was a matter of….pick up my assistant who hasn’t come to work since the bus strike…or…take my MINI in for servicing. Being that I’m slammed at the office, it was far more important for me to get my assistant in to get some work done. My boss is insane to think that I can do both her and my own work, so I made the sacrifice to haul her butt into the office. There’s got to be a better way to make a living! Anyways, my schedule is booked solid for the next few days, and may run into next week, so I’m really not sure how I’ll manage to get my car in.
>>
>>Waaaaaahhhhh….I need a new life, or at least one that is a little less hectic!

Next time this comes up- tell the dealer you need a loaner- this way your car can be fixed/checked and you can still drive to do what you need to do!

Here is another beautiful Black MINI to cheer you up! (from sportcompactcarweb.com)