Hi,

I took my 2008 Mini to the store. Mwhen I got back in, all of my warning lights came on: ABS, engine, airbag. My brake light and seatbelt lights stayed on as well. While driving, I noticed that the mileage never increased and my speedometer was not working.

I did get a car wash today. When I called my mini dealer to schedule an appointment, they didn't seem to think the car wash caused this. But, they said to never take my mini to an automatic car wash (I didn't know that).

I'm taking her in tomorrow. Any idea on what this could be? Any idea on how costly this will be?

Funny thing: next month is my last payment!

 

original battery?

that's my first thought

when the battery gets weak in these lil beasts the electronics can really go screwy

4 years is short - but not unheard of . . .

 

Yeah....it is the original battery. But, I've only got 50,000 miles on it.....

I have to drive an hour to get to the dealer....here's hoping she makes it....

 

Easy way to find out. Run to your autozone store and get your battery tested. Some autozones(or like) have handheld devices that can check so you don't have to remove the actual battery.

And in regards to automatic car washes, your dealer's warning is just plain crazy.

 

better yet is hook up to another battery & jump for a start and let it run for a bit hooked up. If things get better . . .

I've seen those AZ testers say the battery was OK, but strangely after replacing the battery anyway, things got better.

Are you in the frozen north? Battery getting stressed by cold?

Batteries don't seem to suffer slow deaths any more. They go FAST. And a REALLY dead one, tends to not take a jump either.

 

AutoZone said the battery seemed ok, but could use a charge. I do live NW of Boston. It was cold the past few days, but now the temps have moderated.

I will take it to my dealer tomorrow....I just hope it makes it the hour and a half ride.

I have no speedometer, odometer, power steering, and my gas gauge is acting weird. I just filled it up though, so I'm not too worried about that.

 

Good thoughts here, just a couple of more points, perhaps:

a. Battery life, or lack thereof, is greatly influenced by age, maybe more so than miles. Four years would be close to end of life for any vehicles I've owned.

b. Auto car washes, always a good debate, though a dealer admonition to never use one seems extreme. I wouldn't send mine through any that thrash something against the body, I've used "touchless" ones that just spray water / suds since I can't stand leaving salty road cr@p on my MINI for very long. Even with those, there's some concern that a few use harsh chemicals that strip wax; I haven't experienced that around here.

 

Thanks for all of the advice! It is greatly appreciated!

Should I chance the hour and a half ride to the dealer?

 

if it were me

I'd replace the battery. AZ should be able to do that right now.

Best case is it solves the problem. And you don't need to go to the dealer at all

Worst case is you bought a new one a little early but since 'it is a little low' ... but a new one is in your future anyway.

If something has gone wrong and your car is not charging properly, you'll get farther on a fresh battery then you will on one 'a little low'

MINI's can also get funky if you have the battery die completely in the car . . .

I realize it is about $150 being gambled here but the dealer is gonna charge more then that just to say hello.

 

Up to you but I have Tripple A. I would have it flatbedded for safety sake. You may not even have brake lights. Good luck! Lets us know the findings.

 

I'll just add a +1 to the likely culprit being the battery. I think every thread I've read except 1 where the electronics were suddenly flaking out ended up being a dying battery.

If it were me, I'd be dropping a new battery in before taking it to the dealer. As noted in the thread though, it is a little bit of an expensive risk to chase a solution without being certain.

 

You will spend a lot more for a battery at a dealer.

 

My local dealer actually has an automatic car wash as part of their facility. They use it on all their cars, except mine of course.

 

beware of dealers who offer

free car wash

mine does with every service and every Saturday

DANGER WILL ROBINSON .... DANGER

we enthusiasts get cold chills at the thought of auto-wash

 

I would take it to an Interstate Battery shop. Let them check, and if needed, get their battery. I have had excellent luck with them.

 

Here's the update:

I started the car this morning and all problems disappeared. Except, the check engine light was on. I drove it into the dealer, no problems.

They can't clear the error codes though. They think the car wash was the culprit! They think water got into the sensors on the battery, but they aren't sure yet. There could also be damage to the modules. They will have to look at each sensor and see what is going on.

Right now, I've been told it will take at least 2 hours and $250 at this point....

 

I've been taking my car through an automatic car wash for two years now. Not one issue, sometimes these SA I think, is an idiot.

 

Ok, so it is a very costly solution....I was told my ABS module malfunctioned....it will cost $1300 to fix!