I just pick up an 03 mini this weekend. Mostly for autocross use, unfortunately I didn't notice that the DCS/ASC switch on the switch panel was missing, it is filled in with a blank. What I want to find out is where there was a mini that simply didn't have this switch for some reason, or if the switch panel was swapped. I'm thinking it was swapped, because it looks like someone was in there, some of the underside plastic pieces aren't lined up right, and the whole switch panel itself is loose. The switch panel does how ever have a rear fog light switch, but the car does not have rear fog lights.
Long story short, I'm confused, anyone have any ideas?

 

A dealer can run the vin# and tell you the factory options. There may be other ways online too.

 

DSC was an option, so the original owner probably did not order it, hence the blank switch.

 

But shouldn't there still be a swtich for ASC than?

 

There should be a switch that turns on ASC or DSC depending on what system was installed. At least with an R53. I am not sure if the switch is present on an R50.

 

Would a simple solution to this problem be to just buy a switch panel with correct switches? Would the switch to disable asc/dsc work?

 

It is always possible the system malfunctioned, and the prior owner disabled it permenatly, and removed the bulbs from the cluster...not a good idea IMO, but possible. When you turn on the car to the click just before crank, does the asc+t light up?!
If yes, then the switch has Likely been swapped out. If no... The the option was removed, or was never present...where was the car sold new?!

 

If we're talking about a Cooper, DSC was an option and there are cars that didn't have it, so no switch. Here's an example I found on Ebay:



I like the idea above of checking with a dealer to see what options were on the car at delivery.

 

In the earlier years (2003 would apply), both ASC and DSC were optional on the non-S, so a missing switch is not unusual. On the S, ASC was standard and DSC optional.

The rear fogs on a 2003 are the top bulb of the taillight. Is that what you checked? They were prewired and retrofit only required a toggle switch and dealer programming. Turn on your regular lights, then see if the rear fog toggle turns on the top bulbs.

 

Yes, thats what I check, the front fog lamp switch lights up when it is on, but the rear switch does not.

 

The system is not disabled, because I made it come it on yesterday, the light does light up when it comes on, and at crank. I believe the car was sold new in colorado.

 

Yes, sorry, I was assuming you had made the common mistake of thinking that both ASC and DSC were on the same switch. My mistake!

I was not aware ASC was optional on the Justa. Thanks.

Can we assume that if the ASC light comes on on startup that it was indeed installed originally?

 

If we assume it wasn't installed originally, why would someone have it added, and then not have the switch panel replaced to have the switch added?

 

I'm with you.

(Go with the VIN suggestion, to know, at least, how things started out as.)

 

Sounds like you need to call the dealer to find the orgional options....
On the plus side, you most likely would have turned it off for the track, so if it not installed, you might be better off.
I guess it is possible the car has asc+t and the switch panel went bad, and the owner swapped it out with the wrong one...or the owner did not want it possible to turn it off (if it was for his kids maybe ). A call to the dealer with a vin will enlighten you.

 

I never did bother to call the dealer, but I got a normal panel and installed it, works like a charm. Mystery mostly solved. Except the mystery of why the other panel was in there in the first place.