I currently have my MINI in the shop. As of late it has suffered from some weird electrical problems. It involves the car not starting, battery drainage, while driving down the road the climate controls fluctuate on and off, the ABS, DSC, airbag and seat belt lights flash on and off, the power steering is affected. It is weird. I took it to the shop, the first thing they told me was that I had a dead battery. I was not convinced and they tried to send me on my way. I got in with the new battery and it still would not start. The next day they tried to give it back to me but still explained it away as a dead battery. I drove it home, the next day, it would not start again. Can someone help? Has anyone experienced any electrical issues with there cars. Oh yeah, the radio and clock go on and off too.

 

The dead battery diagnosis is BS. I'd recommend going up the ladder to a higher ranking person in service, or to another dealer.

I'm not an expert, but your problem sounds more like a computer gremlin than a battery problem. My Mom's Passat had a similar issue with electronic weirdness, and they had to replace the ECU to fix it.

 

>>I currently have my MINI in the shop. As of late it has suffered from some weird electrical problems. It involves the car not starting, battery drainage, while driving down the road the climate controls fluctuate on and off, the ABS, DSC, airbag and seat belt lights flash on and off, the power steering is affected. It is weird. I took it to the shop, the first thing they told me was that I had a dead battery. I was not convinced and they tried to send me on my way. I got in with the new battery and it still would not start. The next day they tried to give it back to me but still explained it away as a dead battery. I drove it home, the next day, it would not start again. Can someone help? Has anyone experienced any electrical issues with there cars. Oh yeah, the radio and clock go on and off too.


have yourself added any new electrical/electronic accessories to your car?

 

The only thing I have added is a horn.......and it plugged directly into the existing horn wiring. Besides alot of this started happening before I got the horn installed.

 

Thats what I was thinking. I also think that the service advisor did not listen to anything I said. It didn't start so he automatically jumped to a dead battery conclusion. I have already spoken with some higher ups and he said he would make things right. We will see. Meanwhile, they have me in a SUV loaner. Man its big!!!!

 

You need to go higher up the service chain, or better yet, go to another dealer (if possible). These guys sound like bozos...letting you get into the car to drive off with a dead battery

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