When I turn my key to the on position my headlights flash a few times then they stop. This only happens when I turn the key on. This started happening after I changed my bulbs. I think I was supposed to unplug the battery before I changed the bulbs. Anybody know how to fix this? I tried resetting ECU and unplugging the battery but no luck. Please help

 

I think you've installed LED bulbs. The flashing is caused by the power-on bulb check. It's programmable $$$ so turning it off might stop the flashing.
Do you see an improvement when driving at night?
I'd install a decent set of Philips or Sylvania bulbs.

 

Yeah I installed led bulbs. They work great. It's just the flashing every time I start the car. How do I program it??

 

Dealer only programming, I believe, though some independent shops might possibly have the right equipment.
Or you can install resistors across the bulb wiring - try eBay - you need high rated ones for headlight bulbs, not the ones for directionals.

 

Aw crap.. I live in Hawaii and they charge an arm and a leg to even look at european cars lol. Not sure if the resistor will make a difference but I'll try it. Thanks!

 

1st generation MINI never had LED options. There is no programming available.

 

rkw

I have an early 2002 r53 with no options whatsoever - no Chrono, just a tach above the steering wheel & the big central speedo. All the warning lights are accounted for.
Where do you think a defective bulb warning would be displayed?
At start-up, the car runs a bulb check (causing LED bulbs to flicker) BUT, being a basic dashboard, there's nowhere to display a defective bulb warning.
Surely just turning the bulb-check option OFF should prevent the flickering.
Any ideas?

 

That's what I was thinking. But i couldn't find any info on how to turn it off.

 

I have installed the V4 LEDs for my high beams and they do the same thing. I have even installed CanBus cancelled but they still blink at startup. Just have to live with it.

 

That sucks...

 

I agree!

 

None of the R50/R53 dashboards have a bulb warning. I think the flicker comes from a general electrical check of all circuits, not a specific "bulb check".

If you want to eliminate the flicker, the only workaround is to add a load resistor in parallel. The R50/R53 are too old and simply weren't designed for LED bulbs.

 

I'm not familiar with resistors. What kind should I use? What brand and what size? I can just add it anywhere along the wires to the light? Along the positive or negative?

 

rkw

Interesting,
I wasn't aware of that. So what happens if the 'all circuits' check finds a fault? - there's still nowhere to display it! Does it generate a code or CEL light?
I presume that if the 'all circuits' check were switched off (assuming that's possible), there might be some impact on performance - right? Limp mode?

 

I suggest you go to LED vendors (such as this or this) and look at their prepackaged bundles.