Hello Everyone,

Brand new to mini's here, as of today. Just bought a 2002 Mini Cooper S with the 6 speed. 61,000 miles.

The problem is the driver side brake light is out. It is not getting power to the brake light bulb. The bulb socket, circuit board and bulbs are all in great condition. It does look like all four wires to the driver side taillight were cut and then spliced back together with cheap butt connectors.

I tested for 12v at the #4 wire at the taillight connector which is the brake light signal and no power. All the other lights work as they should.

Could this be a BCM issue?

Thanks for the help!

 

I'd check the wires to make sure they didn't pull apart in the nut.

 

did you buy this from a 'real' dealer?

To me, it sounds like previous owner had a problem and hacked the wires to try and find the problem . . .

You can bring it to my house and I'll try to find the problem .. or .. you need someone who knows how to use a volt/ohm meter . . .

I doubt it is a 'computer problem' because IMO that would impact both sides but that IS A GUESS

{psssst .. where I live is in my profile. I dunno where u r}

 

I'd make very sure you are doing good diagnostics as it would seem like the butt-connectors are the smoking gun of the problem. Are you sure you've got the right wire for the brake light and have a good ground to do the check? Did you confirm that the passenger side taillight is showing 12V on the wire you're checking when the brakes are activated? Can you confirm you are showing 12V on other wires on the same side when the turn signals and/or tail lights are on? Can you swap the lighting assemblies side to side to confirm it is not in the assembly?

If you can absolutely confirm that the problem is upstream of the wiring to the back, then it is a matter of tracing the wiring forward and finding where the problem is. I doubt it is a computer problem but stranger things have happened I guess. If it is, you're going to need a dealer's help.

- Mark

 

I didn't mention I restore Early Broncos professionally and have been a mechanic/fabricator for 12 years.

But I do not have much experience working on European cars.

Tonight I replaced the old butt connectors with solder and heat shrink. Before I made the new connection on the driver side brake light wire, I powered the taillight side with a jumper and the light came on. The problem is most certainly upstream of the taillight.

The brake light wires are Blk/Grn on the driver side and Blk/Blu on the passenger side. The driver side brake light wire comes from Pin#14 of BCM1 the passenger side comes from Pin#12 of BCM1

Since there are two separate wires from the BCM controlling each side of the taillight circuit I might assume those circuits are also somehow separated inside the BCM.

I just don't what else it could be other than the BCM.