Synopsis:

My passenger-side Xenon lamp works intermittently. Currently, it can be activated by toggling on/off a few times. The fault is not in the bulb because it does work.

I have spoken with my MINI service advisor and the issue was diagnosed over the phone as an issue with the igniter. After doing some searching on NAM and MINI2, I think he's correct.

My car is an '03 Cooper S that is covered under MINI Canada's MINI-NEXT warranty, however it conveniently doesn't cover this issue. I plan to contact them in regards to this and I'll post my results. I refuse to buy a new Xenon headlight assembly for ~$700 CAD to fix this!!!

As I said I have searched MINI2 and NAM for as much information as I can gather on this subject and I have not found the answer I'm looking for.

Has anyone repaired this themselves? Do I really have no choice but to buy a whole new headlight?

Any information would help.

Thanks,

Bryan

 

That Sux. I've been fighting the same problem for over 2yrs now.

I'm surprised that it isn't covered. Wouldn't it fall under electrical failure? Did you dealer say that it wasn't covered or was it MINI themselves?

 

I just read the MINI_Next US version brochure and it says headlamps and bulbs are not covered. That really Sux!

 

I know...awesome huh??

So has anyone who has experienced this failure got a done-it-themselves story to share? (by do it yourself I don't mean installing a new headlight)

Thanks,

Bryan

 

I have the same exact thing. 2003 Cooper, passenger side xenon bulb works on first try occasionally, sometimes have to flick it on and off a few times to get it to fire. You don't have to replace everything. The ballast, or igniter choose your lingo, can be replaced seperately. About 400-425 from dealer, maybe 150-200 from online sources. Just pick a reputable one.

 

I like the sound of ~$200 better than ~$700. I'll look into it.

 

Did you ever fix your headlight problem.
I am having the same problem with my left side. I have swapped the ballast's from left to right with no change. I am going to check the ground later. Do you have any other ideas? Thanks :-)

 

I have also been battling this issue. I work aircraft avionincs and have run into issues that come and go as they please, they are a pain to fix. As of now I have been keeping a log of when it happens and the weather condions that are that are presant. So far I have noticed that if it humid out it causes it more so than it being dry out, also it is only my drivers side. I took it to the dealership (not going to say which one) and they "claimed to have fixed it" I dont even think the dealership did anything to my car. Then I took it to mini of the woodlands... on a saturday, WOW TALK ABOUT SERVICE! they either fixed it or told me to comeback when I could get it fixed and they would work me in (have to drive over 4 hours to the dealership, damn military work hours) ANYWHO I'm still working on this lighting issue myself as I would love to figure it out... I'll keep my findings posted.

 

03 cooper

happens to me too. passenger side light. harder to get it to fire when it is cold out. got the $700 story from the dealer too.

 

Interestingly enough, its only on 2003's this sounds like, maybe you guys said that. Did they change something in 03'...hmmm

 

I am having the same issue! I replaced the module that is hanging under the lamp, is this what you guys are calling the "igniter"? Mini called it a "headlight control module" I think. It wasn't cheap. And I stil have the problem. I have found that if I unplug the headlamp, then plug it back in again, it will work for a few days. I checked the terminals, they are tight.

 

The ignitor is actually built into the headlight assembly and cannot be replaced. Really sucks, too, cause it's a pretty expensive piece. A few months ago I thought I had a bad ignitor, but fortunately it turned out to be a bad Xenon bulb. The simplest thing to do is try swapping components back and forth between the headlights until you determine the culprit. I initially tried swapping bulbs, then control modules, and then swapping the complete headlight assembly to see if I had some wiring issue.

Oh, and let this be a lesson... I tried ordering some Xenons on ebay as replacements... bad mistake as I started having a flicker issue a week after I installed them, leaving me to believe I had some other failing component... turns out, after doing a little troubleshooting, one of the new bulbs I received was defective. From now on I'll pay the extra to ensure I get name brand bulbs, like Philips.

GotMINI