Hey guys,

I think I may have found the weirdest thing to happen to my MINI since we bought it in 2006. Whenever we turn on the lights the trunk opens. I've never seen this happen before and wanted to see if anyone can tell what it is.

Thanks!

 

Buy some night vision goggles!! Or don't drive at night....
On a more serious note...sounds like a wiring harness issue...
Ever have a rodent issue?

 

I know right! Haha! But on a serious note, never had a problem with any type of rodents of any kind.

 

Alright, the car has this windup key that connects onto the license plate lights so it spins. We disconnected it and it fixed it! Until last night where it wasn't even connected and it started doing it again. I wonder if the mechanism that opens the trunk is going bad? We have no problems since we installed this key until now.

 

I have no idea what you mean by that, but it sounds like there is an electrical cross connection in the tailgate handle between the lock switch and license plate light.

 

Huh???
Cheap Chinese aftermarket electronics can cause issues...bet there is a bad ground or motor in the thing...and the current is unlocking your lock...
I'd remove it before you fry more $$$ things, like a computer...

 

www.windupkey.com

It's one of these.

 

"Alright, the car has this windup key that connects onto the license plate lights so it spins."




Sounds like the issue. Glad its fixed.