2010 MINI hard top S ALL the bells and whistles! 61k miles... I recently had some minor body work done. Ever since I got the car back I am having all sorts of wierd electrical issues. My pathway lighting (automatic lights that stay on for 40 sec before I get into the car and after I turn it off do not work. I frequently get the message stating excessive battery discharge while shut off and low battery charge. Our local MINI mechanic (who is amazing) did plug it in do diagnostics and said the body shop disconnected all the electrical / computer and battery components incorrectly and the programming is all messed up. I have an appointment in a couple weeks so he can reinstall the software and correct all the errors. I hope this clears everything up. The body shop is obviously footing the bill. I have every service record from this MINI from the time it was new and there have been ZERO issues up to this point.

My concern is this. I had this issue with a BMW years ago and after an idiot mechanic screwed up my computer the car was never the same again. Should I be concerned about the messed up computer programs shorting out or damaging other parts in my MINI? Viz. Nav system, HK sound, IBS, alternator or other electrical components I can't see???

 

I would absolutely have everything checked out as your car (and any other modern vehicle) is full of fragile electronic components. Goes to show you how anyone working on your car (including a body shop making a minor repair) needs to be familiar with the electronics on your car. Even something as elementary as disconnecting and reconnecting a battery incorrectly can cause significant problems that never had to be considered not that long ago.