Hello all,
My name is Josh and I’m a proud new owner of a 2006 MCS. I’m going through it, tidying up things, and found a loose wire under glove box. Can anyone help identify this connection before I start digging into schematics? This is my first Mini so be kind, I’m still blissfully ignorant.





Also, under the hood I found this rattling around near the firewall. Can anyone help ID this thing?


Additionally, if this is posted in the writing area please let me know.

 

I would guess the connector is for the glovebox light. Second piece goes on the front subframe under the crush tubes.

 

What’s the purpose of this thing?

 

It's a piece that was used to ease assembly of the car at the factory but otherwise has no function during the rest of the car's life. Fits in the end of the front-facing subframe horn where the crash tube slides on; most often it sticks inside the crash tube and gets pulled off with it while putting the car in front end service mode or dropping the subframe for suspension maintenance, clutch job etc. @Mod-Mini (on this board infrequently and your new favorite YouTube channel) mentions it here during a subframe drop to replace lower control arm bushings:

 

Perfect! Thank you. And yes, I’ve been watching that channel already.

 

Nailed it. It was the glove box light. I didn’t even know I had one… but now I do! Thanks for the help.

Hopefully one day I can help someone else out on this forum.

 

You get in there amd take a few thing apart and you’ll soon figure out, these things are made of t20,t25,t30 and t40 torx connectors, mostly 10,13 15 16 17 19 connectors, and the occasional e-torx and Phillips.


if you have a harbor freight you can get etorx set and their set of 6 point deep well 3/8 metrics, amd a set of torx screwdrivers amd torx sockets and breaker bar do just about anything in the world on these cars yourself.

Yes I used the “standard” HF 3/8 sockets of all types on an impact gun, routinely.

best of luck on your adventures!