i have an 02 cooper s and i was driving this afternoon and the dash lights started blinking all on and off and the tachometer and speedometer started intermitently switching off and on... as well as the fuel gauge moving all over and the temp gauge going all over.. then it clears for a few minutes and starts again. i checked the connections to the battery, and all the fuses. in the fuse box under the footwell the fifth fuse down on the left is marked as being one for the gauges but i can get no power to either side of it no matter what i do (ignition on/engine running/lights on etc.) ... has anyone else had any problems like this? ive heard of similar issues where the car wont start, but mine starts and runs fine

 

how old is your battery?

As a battery gets old it can suck volts from the rest of the system, and when they see low volts they go a wee bit crazy . . .

I'd usually send you to a good auto part chain for a free test ... and you may still want to do this . . . 'cept lately MINI batteries have been fooling the testers IMHO.

IMHO, if in doubt, buy a battery and do't be surprised if your problems go away.

EDIT - a GOOD battery . . . all the electronics demand a GOOD battery . . .

 

What Capt BJ said. Seen other posts mentioning this. At least have your current battery tested before you buy.

 

any luck? my 03 just did the same thing this morning, wont come back on

 

+2^ Capt bj.

 

Check the battery since its right there & most auto stores will do the test for free. But also see if the alternator spins freely, may have to take the belt off. Signs of a alternator going bad as well.

 

on my specific example it was quickly stuttering on/off, what i found was that the 02 sensor wire had a break in the insulation and the shorting against the heat shield was confusing the ECU