I may have discovered how Nav-equipped Minis might be able to predict a weakening car battery before failure is complete.

Several months ago I wrote a thread asking whether any other nav. owners had experienced their screens not coming on immediately after starting the car. Mine had been experiencing longer and longer delays before lighting up -- and then not at the beginning of the process with the large MINI emblem and then the legal disclaimer screen -- No, it would finally light up with the current map displayed.

Well, last week the car battery failed completely in my '04 MCS after slightly more than 3-1/2 years since delivery (and 50,000 miles!).

THE FIRST THING I NOTICED AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BATTERY WAS THAT THE NAV. SYSTEM WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AGAIN ! Now the MINI emblem greets you first, then the disclaimer screen, just as before. NO DELAYS ANYMORE IN THE SCREEN COMING ALIVE !

So, I have concluded that a car battery which is starting to loose voltage probably no longer can supply the nav. system with the initial "kick" it needs to begin operating.

Therefore, a system that is slow to light up might be an early warning that your battery is going to fail within three months or so.

I'd be interested in hearing whether any other Nav equipped MINIs might have experienced this same phenomenon before their batteries failed.

Joe

 

Hmmm, now that you mention it... I had replaced my battery about 12 months ago, but recently forgot to turn off the interior lights. So, the Nav was sluggish in responding. I put the battery on an overnight 2 amp charge and went to bed, and things are back to mornal. With a Mini emblem displaying... As for the disclaimer screen, I don't have that, since used NavCoder to get rid of it. Plus, I'm all british voices now. Scott

 

Not here... NAV was working fine and I came out the next morning to find a flat battery. However, the MINI battery is a pile of rubbish from the get go. New battery in with no problems at all.

 

I had the same thing happen. It started taking longer and longer for the nav screen to come on. Then the battery died completely, and would not keep a charge. I replaced the battery and now it comes on when I open the drivers door.