Hi,

The cigar lighter socket stopped working on my 2003 R53, and the heated rear screen has never worked. I'm not at my car, but I've been looking at the wiring diagrams on my Hayes manual. It appears that both items have relays in the passenger compartment fusebox. Are they generic relays that any autoparts store would carry or do I have to use genuine BMW/MINI ones?

It's possible my cigar lighter may have come disconnected. What's supposed to hold it in place, mine has always pulled out 1/4 inch or so whenever I disconnect an accessory.

I was figuring I'd pull out the center console, check the connection, check for +12 volts at the red, black, yellow (like a king snake) wire. If no power to the wire I guess the relay would be a likely candidate? Of course, I'd check the F32 fuse first, but I'd think the fuse in my cell phone charger would blow before that.

Also, are these relays labelled? The Hayes manual just says which fusebox they're in, but not where.

What would be the first thing to look at my my heated rear screen?

Eric