Last night, I noticed that my right front blinker and parking light weren't working. I opened the bonnet and found the blinker socket dangling in there. The light was working but had come out of its mount. I have tried to put it back in but it's just barely hanging in there like something has broken off. The parking light bulb/socket is still in place but is not working. Per the owner's manual, a gentle turn to the left should dislodge it but it's not budging. This is very frustrating to me, I can't stand having my new car going down the road with lights missing, but don't want to have to make a dealership visit for something that should be so simple. Any tips for these two items? thanks

 

Well, I replaced the stock bulbs with stealth bulbs a few weeks ago, and "gentle" is not the term I would use. It took enough force that I felt like I was going to break something. It's kind of an awkward area to work in to say the least.
Annette

 

depending on how inclined you are I would suggest removing the front bumper to do it. that way you can see whats going on and your not in a confined space... it pretty easy.

-Josh

 

It gets weirder. Yesterday morning on the way to work, the car in front of me threw up a piece of retread rubber. I heard it hit the front of my car but upon examining it when I got to work found no signs of any external damage. Apparently the impact did effect my light assembly. I got the parking light socket out at lunch today and the bulb was missing! It was down in the light assembly and after I fished it out was able to plug it back in and it worked. There was also some grey plastic shards in there that came from the blinker bulb assembly. Not sure exactly what was holding it in place but apparently the impact knocked both bulbs loose. So now my parking light is back tightly in place, but the socket for the blinker is still not tight enough to stay in there by itself. I guess I'll call and see if I can get the socket but if not, I guess some duct tape will have to suffice.

 

All's well that ends well. A new socket for the blinker was $11 at MOTW. Took 5 minutes to change it out and everything is good as new. Still pretty bizarre that the debris impact knocked the bulbs out without leaving any marks on the exterior (lucky for me.)

 

i used a medium sized long nose to turn the wedge ccw, i think.
the flasher bulb is easy to remove.

 

I too noticed my front blinker wasn't working, opened the hood, and found the blinker light socket dangling out of the parking/turn signal assembly. The parking light bulb had popped out of its socket and was inside the light assembly (as were the broken-off tabs from the blinker light socket). A few days before, I'd hit a piece of road debris but the light assembly itself wasn't visibly cracked or damaged. How bizarre to come across this posting and find it wasn't a unique experience!

 

You'll need to buy a new turn signal assembly. You'll probably get change back from a $20. Remove the bumper cover (takes maybe 5 minutes on your first time) and the turn signal lamp is held in by 2 phillips screws.

Rawhyde

 

Awkward area is an understatement...I almost blacked out with the effort I was putting forth. You'd think Mini could make it easier to change a little bulb.

 

Remove the big bulb first, then unplug the small bulb's wiring harness (just mash the little release and pull it straight out). This will give you some more room to work. I advise JUDICIOUS use of a pair of slip joint pliers to save your hands. It is a tight fit.

Rawhyde