I have a 2004 Cooper S. I can jump start the car and it runs fine. But the battery IS dead. It is located in the hatch of the car, I have read online that if i change the battery myself the cars computer system will lock out and I won't be able to start the car. Is this true? Or will I be ok to change the battery myself no problem. This situation does not seem to make sense to me, but i wanted to ask someone who has done a battery change on a 2004 mini before I do it myself and then can't get the car started. Any help or advice would be appreciated, I do not want to take it to a dealer and be overcharged a ridiculous price just for a new battery. Thanks !

 

I swapped my original battery from my 05..(!) to a new battery after the second day of ownership.
THEN I read about the "registering" of the battery.

I've had zero electrical problems since the swap. I did nothing to the car or its electrical system to tell the car about the swap...
My experience, about a year ago.

Mike

 

Look on the negative battery terminal, if there is a rectangular black block-like thing (technical terms) then it has the “intelligent battery system “ and the battery will need to be registered. A dealership will do it for a price, way too much, if you ask me. I would suggest finding someone who has something like a Schwaben scan tool or Carly or something that can read and work on Mini’s with the BMW software, and do it that way, it doesn’t even take 5 minutes.

 

2004 MINI does not have to have the new battery "registered" to the car.....when you change the battery, you might loose your trip meter mileage and maybe your radio stations......but that's about it

There is a cable that you can buy that plugs into your OBD II port to save computer memory and radio stations.......but that's your call

Bryan

 

 

Alternators don't "hold a charge".......but if you are referring to your alternator does not keep charging, that was probably your whole "dead battery issue" to begin with.....I would have checked alternator charging output first before putting in a new battery

Bryan

 

IME registering the battery does not apply to GEN1 cars ...... GEN2 was when they added this 'feature' and not ALL GEN2 have it. Had a GEN1 long enuf to replace the battery twice.

concur that a check of the alt' / charging system is in order. You can do this yourself with a volt/ohm meter (youtube has many videos to teach) or any decent chain autopart store should do it for free ... takes about 2 minutes.

p.s. if your car requires the 'registration' and you don't do it you should not experience any problems ..... the story is that the car will not properly CHARGE the NEW battery because it LEARNED the previous battery was getting old and dumbed down the charging to reduce stress ....... so you need to tell the car you have a NEW battery so it goes back to NEW battery charging profile, and adjust THAT if the battery is of different cold crank amps . . . . somehow all my other cars have lived without this bonus feature

 

^^ there you go!^^
thanks, I’m more familiar with gen 2