Hi

I have a 2005 Mini Cabrio, since it seems its gotten cold I have had a few weird issues. The first one was I parked the car over night like normal in my garage and came out the next morning and the top and all the windows were down. I didnt even think the top would work with out the key in the ignation?

Then 2 times I have driven to work with out my head lights turned on only to get out of the car and have them on. The first time I reopened the door and turned the headlights on it beeped at me like hey your lights on and I then turned them off but the head lights wouldnt go off. I then flicked the brights on and off that worked but the head lights remained on. I then got back in put the key in turned it on then off and the lights went off. The second time it happend after turning the lights on then off they did go off.



This morning I went out to my garage and my passengar side breaklight, marker light and front light was on ( not head light). They did turn off when I got in and started the car. I can not believe they were on all night as I parked it at 10:30 am yesterday and went out at 8:30 am today.

Any ideas what could be happening?

thanks

 

The first thing I would check is the battery. If you battery is getting low (which happens in the cold) weird things happen, including windows & top dropping down, among other electrical oddities. MINIs like their batteries full.

If you don't have a battery tester, just take it to an AutoZone type place. They usually do battery checks & charges for free.

Hopefully that is all it is. If that isn't the issue, then you will probably have to take it into the dealer to find out where that electrical gremlin is living.

Good luck & keep us posted

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Edit after re-read:

A few other things may have happened. If you had the key in your pocket (or anywhere) where you can push the unlock button, all the windows and the top will go down if it is kept pressed (this has happened to others before)

I'm not sure about the headlight issue, but the side break light & markers are made to stay on by pushing the turn signal stock up or down (depending on what side you want illuminated) This is a European feature for parking on narrow streets at night & keeping your car visible.

 

I replaced my battery a few weeks ago after the car barely started after sitting outside in the cold for a few days (it was the original '05 battery). After replacing it, I didn't drive the car for a week or two. Now that my driveway is passable again, I've been driving the car and I notice two new behaviors:

• The doors do not automatically lock
• Headlights (and taillights) come on when the key is turned on (I had the option set to have them on half-strength, but they are clearly fully on now)

I haven't noticed anything else yet (other than the trip ODO and clock being reset, which I expected); I don't really mind these changes, but I'm wondering if something I may have not noticed may also be weird.
Is there anything I should try to clear this up?

Thanks,
-tom

 

They just reverted back to the factory setting when you changed the battery.......it can be changed back.

 

Wow. I'd have expected the settings to be stored in non-volatile memory so they'd survive the battery being removed. I suppose I've also lost my ability to open the top with the keyfob and to have the lights stay on while entering the garage. I'll check them tomorrow.
When I had the settings adjusted after I bought the car (used), the dealer charged me a half hour of labor. I don't think I'll bother to put them back if they are subject to being reset that easily.

 

The first nice day came yesterday, and I've also discovered that the rear windows don't open and the top only opens as far as the sunroof setting (with no blinking light). Clearly something electrical and/or computer is going on. So now I have

• The doors do not automatically lock
• Headlights (and taillights) come on when the key is turned on (I had the option set to have them on half-strength, but they are clearly fully on now)
• Rear windows don't open
• Top only opens as far as the sunroof
• Remote key doesn't open top (i.e., back to the default setting)

I looked at the fuses, and they are identified by icons, but none of them looked to me like rear windows. I think I'll try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes in case another "reset" sorts out the top issue.

 

Your window issue is most likely an initialization problem. When the battery dies or is replaced, you need to initialize the power windows.

From page 32 of my 2007 manual:

"If the battery is disconnected, e.g. for changing batteries or vehicle storage, reinitialize the power windows. Otherwise the windows will not be lowered when the convertible top or doors are opened.

1. Close the doors
2. Close both windows
3. Press both switches of the power windows upwards for approx. one second."

I hope that helps.

 

Thanks sevent2. Tried that, but no go.I've also discovered that the rear window defrost control, a/c control, and recirculation control are not functional, so it's looking like a broader computer issue. :-(

 

Sounds like Alzheimer's