I purchased my 2004 Mini in 2005 and didn't know that it was a non-smoker car. Seeing the cig lighter housing with no lighter, we had assumed it got lost. never really needed the 12v source, so we have never paid attention to it 'til few years later when we were told that it is not connected to any power and that was not possible to reconnect since the whole power source or converter was missing all together, being a non-smoker car from the factory.

We gave the car to my daughter and would be great for her to be able to charge a device, but she can't.

Any suggestions? Wasn't that car supposed to have a rear 12v? Anyhow would be great to have one in the front.

 

We have a DIY for an iPod integration here in those year MINI's. This might be a fun suggestion, although I tested it and the unit we put in does not directly charge the iPod, but the unit I use in my car (non-MINI car) charges the phone while it plays music as well. Might want to research what unit to use by going to your local electronic store and seeing what they offer. Good luck!

-Luccia

 

ha! I guess a new player unit that may charge the ph as it plays music can solve the problem... I will look into that since the radio is ancient anyway. great tip Luccia!

 

My pleasure! I'm sure she'd appreciate being able to use an iPod/iPhone in the car now a day too since it's what everyone uses to listen to music.

-Luccia

 

Who told you these things, because it is misinformation. Did you check the fuses?

All MINI are outfitted with 12V power sockets. U.S. spec also came with a lighter until the last couple of years when it only comes standard with a plain plastic cover (but the power is still connected). For 2004 you should find a second power socket on the left side of the cargo area. All of this is described in the Owner's Manual.

 

My 2004 had no lighter in the front receptacle but absolutely has power to that port. As mentioned previously, there is a rear port on the drivers side covered by a black cap. The cap is a little difficult to remove but it does come off.

Al

 

+1 rkw , there is one in the front and one out in the back.

Check the one in the back , it might have cam unpluged or a fuse went.

 

There's no way to reconnect anything, not only the dealer told me they removed all from under the socket when it was delivered as non-smoker, but I didn't trust that so I took it to a radio/alarm shop to reconnect and they didn't find anything, they showed me and it was all empty under there all the way to the shifter and beyond no sign of any components or wires.

The car is not with me, so I can't check myself even if I wanted too. Maybe the previous owner screwed it up...

Good to know that the 04 has it in the hatch area.

Thanks!

 

I will tell my kid to check in the cargo, I'm looking at Junkyards next week to see what I can find. When we looked under the socket all the way to the shifter there was nothing no wires or any components there (had a pro shop do this but I was there) and they didn't even charge me to open it and check.

a mystery to why it wouldn't be connected.

 

If the wiring is missing, a previous owner must have removed it, because the cars did not come that way from the factory. In the UK, there is an optional Smokers Package, but even without it there is still a powered socket, except that it only comes with a filler plug instead of a lighter element. In the U.S., there was not a smoker/non-smoker option. They ALL came standard with cigarette lighters and ashtray (an insert with lid in the cupholder).

You can find the power sockets described in the Owners Manual here.

 

Yes, they came with the wiring unless someone moved it or cut it out for some reason or an aftermarket stereo.