I have a few questions about my 2003 Cooper S.

1. One side of my front combined parking lights/ turn signals has burnt out and I need to replace it. My local dealer has told me that it would be 189.00 tot ake the bumper off and replace it. ARE YOU KIDDING???

2. When I hit a bump, my glove compartment flys open. Of course the dealer has told me that I need to replace the lock and there is no adjustment for the lock!! ARE YOU KIDDING AGAIN?

3. Any owners in Phoenix, AZ that can refer me to a good local Cooper shop? Even though the dealer in Scottsdale seems ok, I am not down with their ARE YOU KIDDING attitude..........

Thanks for your assistance!!!!!

 

1. The bulbs are replaceable from under the hood. No more than $15 bucks at the auto parts store.

2. There is no adjustment on the glove box, If the latch is broken, you replace the whole glovebox. Less than $200 usually.

3. Sorry, I live in Ohio.

 

to add to the comments by not-so-rednwhitecooper

all things mini cooper are pricier than one would think. and the shops that work on coopers charge a ridiculous amount. I find that most jobs are very easy even for the most novice "shade tree" mechanic. I say, give it a try yourself, or find a local club and offer free pizza/beer for a meet and "fix xyz" of your car. you're bound to find help

 

I replaced my turn signal lights without removing the bumper. I reached down from the engine compartment. It is a tight fit for your hand and arm but it is doable. It is a little difficult to twist the socket open with the limited space and hand angle but you can do it.

I had the same problem with the glove box. There is a little bit of adjustment on the glove box latch. There is a little bit of movement available with the latch mounting screws. It was a little trial and error but I got so the latch fit tighter and never again had a problem.

 

IF you end up needing to replace the entire turn signal unit for some reason...that part is surprizingly reasonable cost and taking the entire bumper cover (which will be needed in this case) is not difficult. Two bolts at each wheel corner, two torx on the top and about 8 simple screws around the bottom. Disconnect the various light connectors & the temp sensor and there you go. That entire light unit is held in with 3 screws.

As stated the bulb size is common but getting your hand in there can be a problem. Sometimes good to get help from someone with small hands. All it takes is about a 1/4 twist to get the bulb holder out but they can be VERY TIGHT. Better auto parts stores will help you do a bulb swap if you ask....AutoZone and Advanced Auto will in my experience....

On the glove box something you can try. Sometimes you can get the latch to catch if you ever so slightly thicken the catch by putting a couple of wraps of plastic tape around the loop where the hook engages. No promises....start small and build up....what have you got to loose? Early 02 owners had a problem with the hatch catch loosening like this and rattling like heck. A few wraps of duct tape would mitigate the problem 'till MINI decided to fix it.

 

As a recall, I had to remove the glove box to get to the latch catch at the top of the glove box. I moved the catch towards the front of car (back of glove box) to put more pressure on the latch (part of glove box door).

 

There is a TSB to fix the problem. Remove the glove box and add three 1mm wahers to the torx screws that hold the top of the glove box. Between the glove box and the blue plastic nuts. I started to do mine at night and changed my mind after taking out the screws that hold the top part of the glove box. The next day I noticed it was staying shut and it has been good ever since.

 

There's a BMW shop just north of the 202 / west of the 101 (not sure if it's North Tempe or South Scottsdale - they moved since I was there last). I haven't been there since I first got my mini a few years back. I liked the folks, however, at the time I wouldn't say they were mini experts. I would go back.

 

Which light? It takes all of 10 minutes with simple tools to remove either the bumper cover or wheelhouse liner to access the bulb.

 

The only bulb that requires the bumper to be removed is the fog light (the lowest to the ground). The light in between the fog and the headlight is the parking (easy to swap out).

 

Take a piece of sticky back dense foam rubber about a 3/8" by 1/2" (hardware store) and wedge it between the latch hook and glove box body, and you fixed it.

 

Might want to call this shop in Mesa.

 

ya'll relize ya'll picked up a year old post?

02-10-2009

I'm sure he thanks for the reply but I suspect he's done sumtin by now

 

LOL! thread from the dead..