I have an '08 Mini Cooper and last weekend the car stereo just stopped working. I could change between radio stations, the CD, and my iPod, but I would get no audio out of the speakers. The next day, I turned the car on and it started working. Then last night I was leaving work and went to turn my car on and it wouldn't start. I called some people to get help, and then tried to start it again and it started. As I was driving home, the stereo turned off again. Then as I got home, I turned the car off when the stereo wasn't working, and turned it back on, and the car came on with no problem and the stereo was working.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

 

I had that experience once with my '07 Cooper about a few weeks ago. The car started just fine, but I couldn't change the radio station. I was pressing buttons and everything but it just wouldn't change from the station it was on when I started the car. It was fixed by turning the radio off completely and turning it on again. It was really weird!

Anyway, sorry that I don't have any suggestions on how to fix it.. but I'd love to hear what others have to say.

 

I turned the radio off and back on, and it still didn't work, but when I turned the car off, then back on, the radio worked. I'm not sure what the deal is.

 

We get reports of strange electronic gremlins fairly frequently on NAM. Sometimes they are apparently due to a weakening battery.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll go have my battery tested to see if that's the problem.

 

If your car was produced early 08, I'd lay my money on a weakening battery as well. I just helped a guy out with issues on an 07. Also, if you have comfort access (the little buttons on the door handles) then you have a battery in your key fob. If so, I'd change it also. Both are good for between 4-5 years.

 

It was a battery! Thanks!