I have a 2004 Mini non-S, and the entire dash is out. No lights and nothing functions at all, except the speedometer (whew!), mileage, and the check lights. The exterior lights all work (head lamps, turn indicators, emergency lights), but there is no "blinking" on the inside of the car. The AC is out, including all the controls - defogger, etc. The radio is out, though it will turn on, it just says "DISABLE".

It was all acting spotty for a few months. I found standing water in the boot, and I suspect the moonroof drain port(s) are clogged, so water ran down the frame and/or into the back of the car.

I was told at a local shop to pull out the passenger seat and to look at the control units there. The main mechanic told me a lot of the dash functionality (and steering column) go to controllers under the passenger seat. Another guy suggested checking all the grounds in the engine compartment. And of course, the main thing when "water" and "electrical" are mentioned with Mini problems is the BC1 in the right passenger foot well.

So where should I start? I'm thinking:

(1) take out the passenger seat, see if I can find a faulty controller
(2) check out the BC1 if the first thing doesn't work out
(3) check grounds under the hood?

With respect to (1), can anyone tell me what I'd be looking for? And how to test?

 

I don't know that there are any 'controllers' under the passenger seat. In my car with Nav, that's where the Nav unit lives. The BC1 is behind a panel on the right/passenger side of the car. If the water was coming from the moonroof, it's likely it would head that direction, too. I'd take a look at the BC1 first. Look for corrosion/loose connectors, but if it's water damage, the damage could be internal.

 

Hey Eric,

Thanks for the reply. My Mini has the nav unit under the passenger seat as well. There are supposed to be 20 or so "controllers" (not sure that's the exact term) where wire harnesses route into, and there are a few supposedly under the passenger seat according to my mechanic. He fixed a Mini once that had the same problems mine has. Also, everything I've ever read says the BC1 is in the passenger foot well, that is, the right side of the car. Are you sure the BC1 is on the left side, which would be right near the interior fuses? The sporadic behaviour of the steering column controls (turn signals, radio controls) was the first thing, which seems to point to not the BC1 but the "controllers" for those electrical parts. What do you think would be easiest to examine and to fix or eliminate as a cause to start things out?

 

Doh! Sorry - yes, it is on the *right*/passenger side, not left. Above post corrected.