I went out to my 04 MC today, and opened the boot first, and then the door. I noticed that my speedo gauge was making a ticking sound and the needle was moving back and forth furiously at the 0 mph position (about 5 cm back and forth). The car was off- it had not been driven for a week at least, and the doors were not locked prior to me opening them. When I closed my door, it stopped. When I opened either door, it started moving again, making a ticking sound, back and forth, very fast. I locked the doors, and then unlocked them, and it would continue no matter which door I opened. Finally, I started the car, then it stopped. And I have not been able to duplicate it since.
WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED?? Is my MINI possessed?
has anyone had this experience and do I need to take him for therapy (i.e. his Service Advisor)?
Help, anyone, please.

 

RaiderZA - - -

Your MINI was just saying, “I want to be exercised!” in its own inimitable way!

 

It was the MINI equivalant of tail wagging. Your MINI was happy to see you and wants to go for a run.

Shelly

 

This sounds like some type of eletronic/electrical malady as the speedo is electronic. Possibly, when opening the doors, it triggers the lighting circuit which somehow affects the speedo pulse.

 

My previous and current MINI(s) used to often tick the speedo *once* when the car door was opened. Never seen repeated ticks though.
If it worries you, check with MINI dealership techs. But if the speedo still works normally it is not a big issue.
Many of the MINIs circuits are powered always, and electrical noise can cause the effect you see ...

 

mini-madness

 

Mine did this once, too. It was weird. My wipers also wig out every so often and supply extra wipes or they stop wiping... whatever.

Eventually I'll get it to the dealership. Right now I think that they're just my little electrical phantoms and we live in relative harmony

 

Mine did the same thing when I washed it. I was drying the poor girl with both doors open, the ticking stopped when I closed the door and resumed once the door was opened. Starting the motor seemed to reset everything and it hasn't happend again. Yet

 

stay away from airports and borders with that "ticking"

 

Well, it has not happened again. Maybe it is an odd quirk, but I would still like to figure out why the hell it does it!! :evil:
I hate mysteries.

 

This also happened one time to our '02 Cooper CVT after returning from a 1 week vacation. Upon startup the speedo needle, would rattle on the ZERO position for a couple of seconds. It hasn't done it ever since. Seems to be a weird glitch with the electrinic analog instruments. I have seen this issue reported on European market MINIs as well.


Don't worry about it.

 

I can relate to that as I 've seen it happened a few time on my 04 MCS. Like Ian indicated, I didn't think it was much of an issue as long as everything is in the perfect working order.

 

Makes you pine for the days of the mechanical "SMITHS" gauges!

Regards,
Red