I know in order to program lights, door locks, etc, we cannot do it. My bodyshop deals with a BMW repair shop that has one of those $10K programmers.

I took my '05 mcs convertible into them and they programmed everything to my liking.

I took the '06 mcs convertible into them and everything they programmed worked except the doors would keep locking when the car reached 10mph.

You can normally turn this function off but for some reason, it wouldn't take.

I took the car in today to the mini dealer for it's 10K mile service and had them reprogram the locks for me.

An hour and a half later, they still couldn't program it. No matter what they did, the doors locked at 10mph.

Finally, they said they had to reprogram the entire system for it to work.

Anyone ever had that problem? Wierd but at least they finally got it.

On a side note, I normally drive with my headlights on. I don't ever shut them off. When the car shuts off, they go off.

After them programming the computer, when I shut the car off, the headlamps turn off but the parking lights stay on....

If you flash the highbeams, the next time you shut the car off, the lights go off....

I'm confused. Anyone have a clue as to what the hell I'm doing?

It works the way I want it to so I'm not gonna ask questions, it's just wierd.

Mark

 

Auto locking doors are for safety. It keeps the doors from flying open in a crash.

I'm not sure how the programming process goes, but it seems odd that they would have trouble with it.

 

I just noticed your sig -- that's the first R57 I've seen

I have my doors programed to lock (for safety) but then unlock when I turn off ignition (so I don't have to pull the handle twice). I had no issues on my 05.

 

Actually, since I own two bodyshops and have been in this business for 25 years, I feel I can confidently tell you that the auto locking has nothing to do with doors opening in a crash. A door latch is what clasps the striker to keep the door closed.

The locking on the doors only disables the door handles (inside or out) from being able to disengage the door latch. Nothing more, nothing less. It's for safety to keep people from being stupid and opening the door while moving and to keep intruders out.

And yes, it is wierd that they had a problem programming the door locks.



I did do that but every morning, I take my daughter to the bus stop. Since it's been cold and I have the car running, she always has to pull the door handle twice... not an overly big deal, just annoying at times.... especially if it's someone that isn't familiar with the car.

 

My dealership told me that it would cost $90 to reprogram headlights, etc. Did everyone else pay the same?

I hate that "2 pulls to open the door" thing! It always confuses people.

 

True - the locking mechanism provides *none* of the structural integrity - that's all from the latch mechanism.

Besides, the MINI will automatically unlock the doors in the event of a crash, anyway, regardless of how you have the auto-lock option set.

 

The non dealer I took it to charged me 40 bucks. I've been back 3 times and never paid again. The dealer didn't charge me since I was in for an oil service anyways. Having said that, I have heard that they charge about an hour's labor 85-100 bucks for that...




Really, that's cool, I didn't know that. Leave it to BMW... fancy pants.

 

Yep, in the case of a crash, the car will unlock itself, turn on the dome light and the flashers. If the accident was severe enough to deploy the airbags, the fuel pump will also be disabled.

 

Doesn't the battery also automatically disconnect when in a severe accident? I thought there was a box beside the battery that would cut all power....

 

I can't speak for minis but most newer BMW's have a fusible link built into the positive cable. When the airbags are deployed, it shuts the power down.

I'm assuming now that Mini is part of BMW now, they utilize the same idea.


Mark

 

MCS's have an explosive disconnect on the battery cable because they are in the back near the fuel tank. At least the early ones do. Not on the MC's -battery's under the hood.

 

I must have been misinformed as a child. It seems to happen a lot. I shall make no further comments based on knowledge gained from my mother.

 

We may have the same mother.... I just recently found out that a woman can not get pregnant from swimming in a pool with a man that gets excited.

The moon IS NOT made of cheese.

When I grew up, I was NOT tall and strong because I didn't eat brussel sprouts and green beans.

And NOT all boo boo's can not be healed by kissing them.

Hmmmph, go figure.

 

I am certainly no expert, but from what I have reading, the option is really to "Not lock the doors at 10mph". So, to keep your doors from locking, you have to turn this option on, not off. ???

 

You may be right but this was a 2 year old topic since then, I've been through 3 minis...

Maybe it'll help someone else though.


Mark

 

Ok Brain Trust, is it possible to get the 2009 MCS to perform the auto unlock as described in the quote? I've got SJ set to auto lock (as an anti-carjacking measure (so I'm paranoid) since I'm driving topless through the City) but I haven't had any luck with getting the doors to auto unlock. I've been through the manual several times but I guess I'm missing something, any guidance from those with experience is always welcome!