Hmmm. Never knew about this problem. Just wonder is this isolated for the S only or both base and S

 

Its the hatch handle gasket, which is available by itself for a few dollars from the dealer. All you need is it some goof off and a t-20 or t-25 torx screwdriver (don't remember which but you need both for these cars so may as well get both.) The gasket dries up and shrinks over time but at least it's a cheap fix

 

On my '02 I replaced the rear hatch handle because the license plate light contacts had corroded away. I discovered the gasket had been leaking in a couple spots. It's an easy replacement (gasket or the whole handle). The hatch handle can be purchased ready to paint to match your body color or in chrome (which I did because I was lazy that day).

Another gasket to watch out for is the 3rd brake light. When it starts to leak you'll start getting water drips down the inside of the boot window. That was a good day to install the clear/LED 3rd brake light I always wanted.

Be careful on both jobs as the wiring isn't all that long as I remember it.

Lastly, keep your eyes on your sunroof drains when you wash your MINI. You should always see water dripping out of the two plastic outlets in the boot hatch jamb which is where the rear corners of the sunroof drain. The two front corners are connected by hoses to metal tubing that runs down the A pillar and drains out behind the front wheels. I had one front hose slip off the tubing which resulted in a pool of water at the front passenger footwell. It can be slipped back on after removing the subroof trim, reaching in between the headliner and roof with a long pair of needlenose pliers and some patience. I used a small paint brush to dap some door gasket adhesive on the tubing to ensure it didn't slip off again.

Oh, to own an '02 and experience all of the issues a MINI could have. But my new '10 is a blast daily driver and gives me time to pamper the '02 again.

 

..

 

both doors have to be unlocked before that works. So if the car is all locked up - press once, press twice, press third time and hold.

 

IF it's programmed by the dealer to do that. Some are and some aren't.

 

I'll be honest, I did not know an A/C compressor costs $1800...

 

Funny, I walk up to mine when its all locked up, press and hold, the windows come down which is followed thereafter by the sunroof opening. It came that way. I still need to invest in an auto-up though as I miss that.

 

Mine isn't programmed that way (yet) - the only "convienience feature" I have in that regard is inserting the key in the driver's door handle, turn clockwise to lock, hold and wait a second and the windows roll up and the sunroof closes - good for when a rain shower blows in suddenly...
(p.s. - doesn't work to go down, just up)

 

What will reall get your boot is that the 1st stage fan failure is caused by a $15 resistor...

 

They don't, except from BMW...

 

On the water and hatch handle issue, I posted a waterproofing how to a while back. The switch can corrode and open the hatch all on its own...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...elf-fixed.html

 

I just discovered that when you push the lock button on the key fob, it locks the gas cap on the MCS.

At first I thought my cap was broken ................................. Now I know

Nice design !!!!!!

 

After buying my 2006 MINI new four years ago, I just recently found out that the top bulb in the taillight does nothing! Apparently, the top bulb in the lens was for a fog light in the Europe MINIs. In the U.S. models, the bulb is there but doesn't illuminate. Now, I just need to find info on how to convert this to another brake light. I hear there's an easy way to change this.

 

I posted this DIY in October 2003.
http://www.littlemini.us/technical/brakemod/index.asp



Original Thread when NAM was still called MCO.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-mod-pics.html

 

It can be as easy as jumpering a diode or straight wire across the plug that plugs into the back side of each tail light. I used a diode since I had some around. I also swapped out the bulbs for LED bulbs in the foglight sockets.

There *is* a how-to on here about it somewhere if you search a bit....

HTH!

C ya,
Dutch

 

Hi, I saw your post in the other thread and replied there as well. In a 2006, the top bulb is the turn signal. Do not apply this jumper mod on your taillight. You can do a brake light mod for the 2006 rear fog in the bumper, but in the other thread you said you've already done that.

 

Maybe someone 'retro-fitted' the first series lights?

A quickie / plug-in set-up, available for either/or (shows the diff light set-ups, too)
http://www.gominigo.com/BLK-MINI.html

 

I also found my vin under the rear license place holder.

 

Is the internal cigarette lighter still powered when the ignition is off and the key is out? I ask because we have 2 heated cushions for our seats and I want to make sure I don't kill the battery. I have left them on overnight and they were cold in the morning and the battery was fine. The manufacturer of the cushions we have now indicates you should unplug them when not in use but the red powerlight does go off on the plug. I'm 99% sure they don't use any power when the car is off but I am not sure if the Mini continues to supply power or not.

 

No, the front power socket goes off with the ignition. I have my radar detector plugged into the socket in the console and it turns on and off with the key switch. I don't know about the trunk socket though....

Eric

 

The rear power outlet is also only under power when the ignition switch is on.

 

And I'll bet they tell you to unplug them for liability reasons, not because it might drain the battery.

 

Great! One less thing to worry about

 

thanks guys, im a new owner of an 05 MCS and this thread really helped out cheers