For those of you who didn't know - our car burned up on Feb. 20th - here is the original thread to read:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=tragedy

Now on to the rest of the story. USAA, our insurance company, hired an independent Fire Investigator. I won't bore you with the entire HUGE file. If you would like a fax copy, send me a PM with a fax number and I'm more than happy to fax it to you..

Quote - "This was an accidental fire in the engine compartment cause by an unknown electrical failure at or inside the Antilock Braking System (ABS) control unit".

"An unknown electrical malfunction occurred in the wiring or connectors attached to the ABS control unit or inside the ABS control unit itself. This failure created an electrical short-circuit or resistive connection, which caused severe overheating at the failure location. Eventually, the temperature reached a level sufficient to ignite combustible material inside the ABS control unit or to melt and ignite plastic electrical connectors or wiring insulation".

"An electrical component in a three year old vehicle should not fail and cause a fire. A representative from MINI (BMW of North America) should be asked to inspect this vehicle".

"It should be noted that the rating for the antilock braking system fuse was LOWERED from 30 amps to 20 amps in later model MINI Cooper S vehicles. The specific reason for this change is UNKNOWN, however, the result is a reduction in the maximum current allowed in the ABS circuit. This would reduce the risk of a fire should an electrical failure occur".

So there ya have it... The investigator took 52 photos - comparing our MINI with others, etc. etc. Spent lots of time doing what he was paid to do..:smile:

We have been in weekly contact with MINI - they now have ALL of this information in their hands........once again, we'll wait to see what their next move will be. It could take months or years (per the investigator) for this to come to an end....

Donna
02' CR/W MSC (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"

 

Thank you so much Donna and Mike for sticking to your guns and making sure that the cause for this incident has been found.

 

...wow. So now that you have those results, do you take the money from your insurance company?

Any thoughts on replacing Scooter with another MINI?

 

At this point, over the next couple of weeks, we will most likely take the check from USAA that has been waiting for us since a week after this happened. They will be handling (along with us), trying to get the $$ from MINI. A replacement is TBD...

Donna

 

You're welcome...and I'm not done yet....:smile:

Donna

 

Thinking I might go out to my MINI and check which fuse I have on my ABS system. I'll switch my 30A ABS system fuse for a 20A if my MINI has the higher rated fuse???

 

Thats the problem these days because of the sue crazy nation. The dealers will not admit to a problem ever. Even if they know, they will change the new but never admit to the latter.

 

Very interesting information. I will proceed to check the fuse rating for the ABS module in our '02 Cooper.

 

This is good info,will check my fuses.But why would the ABS failBad enough it decided to go up in flames while parked,what could have happened if motoring,and you had to slam on the brakesFlames,and failure to stop as you would expect
MINI/BMW better check this one out

 

wow, thanks for letting us know the outcome. I'll be checking that fuse too.

Don't get how the hell it caught fire while the car was turned off though .

thanks again
James

 

Wow! Shocking. Glad to hear you got some resolve here Donna! Have you reported the findings to MINIUSA/BMWNA yet?

 

Way to stick with it Donna! And thanks for keeping us up to date.

 

I'm glad to hear that you have made some positive progress with this. I hope the trend continues, and I also hope that MINI/BMW take steps to prevent it happening again.

THanks again for all the effort you've put forth. You guys remain 'pioneers' for us in many ways.

 

Can't wait to hear (who/what model) car will be joining your family:smile:

We are all ears when you decide. Best of luck with the decision process.

 

way to go USAA - isn't it they who pursued this.....

one heck of an insurance company

 

Yes....

Donna

 

Thanks for sticking to your guns on this Donna, and for keeping the MINI community informed.
May Scooter rest in peace.

Does anyone know when MINI switched fuses? If I have one of the 30 amp fuses, is it just a matter of swapping it for a 20 amp fuse or does something else have to be done?

 

 

Awwwww.....that is so sweet of you...thanks...:smile:

Donna

 

Technically the report does not state that the ABS failed. Instead it was a malfunction to electricals associated with the ABS that resulted in ignition. So this report should not cause you to worry about ABS malfunction while driving, but it might alert you to the potential of your entire car going up in flames while sloshing merrily, and why not, on those snow-dappled lanes of yours.

Donna/Mike have lost their car and done a great service to MINI owners. To me a troubling part of the report is that BMW/MINI changed the amperage of the offending part in later models, but failed to publicize a reason and to notify owners. Not good.

 

When I first read of your problems I was wondering if it had to do with the lower octane gas you were using. Good to hear that was not the cause. I hope everything works out for you. It may be that Mini will blame it on one of the aftermarket mods you have made to your car.

 

Thanks Donna and Mike for keeping us posted on the investigation. I bank with USAA, but I have my insurance with another company that offered cheaper premiums. Perhaps I should reconsider after all they have done to get to the bottom of this.

I do find it rather unnerving that MINI/BMW would not do a recall on these vehicles if they determined the higher ampage was a safety hazard. While there is no evidence that they knowingly failed to act on a potential danger, it certainly seems to indicate that they knew something was wrong with the higher ampage. Otherwise, why would they switch it in later models?

It's fortunate that Donna and Mike's mini was parked on the street, with no person, structure or other vehicle nearby. However, I shudder at the thought of this happening to another mini that is kept in a garage attached to a house.

 

Fascinating report! Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks for the update.

So, does this mean we will have a Fuse Mod event at the Dragon this year?

 

The “Watch Dog” show on the BBC in the UK has been following these reports and I will forward any information about your report to them without any personal information if you will give me the say so because they have had MINIs also reported to “blow up” as they put it.