The big dial right behind the wheel. This morning I noticed a red light flashing on the top of that dial. Have never seen before. I am not speaking of the flashing light in the middle of the dash - this light is appears to be imbedded in that large dial on the top of it. Can anyone tell me why it's flashing?

 

That big dial behind the wheel is called the "Tachometer."

The light situated at the top is for the optional alarm system. You get the light whether you purchased a vehicle with the alarm system or not.

That big nut in front of the wheel is called the "Driver."

 

Um...if it's a slow flash/glow in a kind of crescent shape (like Kit on Knight Rider, but slower), it's your car alarm signal. If you don't think you have an alarm, I'm not sure why it's flashing...

 

I've had to ask about that special nut a few times myself!

 

No, I don't have an alarm. oh boy.... :(

 

Is it the crescent shaped one, though? On my '04 MCS, before I had the car alarm installed, the light would go off if someone messed with the car -- tried to get in/shook it, etc. Maybe that's it? When in doubt, call your dealer...

 

Oh, Forgot to mention too. I don't know if this is related in any way, but this morning when I opened the door - no lights at all - total black. I thought Oh no, the battery is dead. But when I started it up, it cranked right up, lights and all. Stopped at Walmart and when I got back in lights and back to normal. Other than that flashing light behind the tach....

 

X Uh Oh X - it was in the garage and nobody can get to it unless maybe one of the cat walked across the top...

i hate to call the dealer.... they always say "bring it in". well what an inconvenience for a flashing light...

 

It's the ATMOS system getting ready to deploy. Exit the vehicle NOW!


j/k

 

did you check the manual?

 

I'm at work and the manual is at the parking garage... in the mini !

 

Might want to get the battery checked...Since the only dead Mini battery experience I've ever had was D-E-A-D as a doornail, it might not help...but it makes sense that that particular light would come on if the battery was "signalling for help" per sey. The Minis have that automatic turn off (I can't remember the fancy name for it) that shuts off all unnecessary extras (wiper blades, radio, etc.) to save battery power, so...? If you've got a phone handy, just call the service department. I'd hate to think of you stranded somewhere!

 

i called the dealer, and in the handbook it talks about it flashing when the one of the doors or the hood isn't closed. I guess it's possible one isn't totally closed, although if that were the case wouldn't my little signal on the tach indicate the door, etc.? maybe a sensor is bad ?

i will be sure and slam shut all doors tonight. that might explain why i had no lights when i opened the door this morning, maybe something was just not quite closed all the way????

 

Well, I'd say keep your eyes peeled for clues, but don't worry about it overly. Unless it happens again; then you might want to worry just a leeetle. Sounds like you've got a good plan to try overnight, anyway. The door/hood closure thing makes sense, too, considering what other things they put into the Mini. If it turns out to be the closure thing, maybe you can add that to the thread that's going on at this site: "Things you never knew about your Mini..."

 

It's the ejection seat armed and ready indicator

 

Mary Martin: funny enough, I happened to step outside last night after dark, and realized that my LED light (the alarm light) was flashing quickly like you had described!! Remembering what they told you about it, I turned the alarm off and back on - still a quick flash. Turns out it WAS because one of the doors wasn't closed properly. I can't explain your blackout inside when you opened your door, but at least ONE mystery was solved!

 

when i got to the parking garage yesterday afternoon, the alarm light was out. I did make sure all doors were securely closed last night and this morning the alarm light was NOT flashing. So yes, perhaps the mystery is solved.

 

I had this problem with my rear hatch...the car kept chiming and I was like I just have to slam it shut really hard to make sure the chiming/light doesn't come back. I think I'll have the dealer take a look on my first inspection.

 

I was also reviewing the VERY LONG thread about "things you didn't know about your Mini." One of the members said that if you leave one of the doors open long enough, the dome light goes out and ignores your attemps to get it back on again until you completely shut all doors and start again.

I added our experience about the quick flash = door open thing, Mary Martin...in case anybody else hadn't noticed it themselves.