Hi,

I got a question for all you 2011+ Cooper owners, does your cigarette lighter ring light up if ignition is on?

I found that 2007-2010 light up if ignition is on, did they took it away with the 2011+ models?

Thanks!

 

It does not light up for anybody, including the 2007s... They took the wiring harness out ages ago, but ironically left the ring including the bulb there:S

 

Oh wow, thanks for the reply!!

So they have a bulb in it? That means i can wire it myself?

Thanks

 

It could be missing the bulb and its socket, which was the case on my 2006 R52 convertible. I purchased and installed item #5 in the following diagram (which comes with a bulb included). I wired it to the most convenient point, directly to the cigarette lighter power itself. This makes the light come on with the ignition, which is not ideal because it also lights up during the day, and shortens the life of the bulb. The correct connection is to the dash illumination but I was too lazy to dig into the center console to find and splice the proper wire.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=61&fg=35&hl=1
(1st and 2nd gen MINI use the same cigarette lighter parts)

 

Well, earlier models would only miss the wire, but I assume the later ones may be missing more parts as well

 

Yep my 2011 does not light up at all.

 

Yep; and if you look under the center console there are only two wires leading to the socket -- the red/yellow wire that is the 12v switched power supply, and the brown ground wire. (BTW, this is by far the easiest place to tap a switched 12v source for installing an accessory like a gauge.)

I think they may all come standard now with the plug (#4 in rkw's post) in lieu of the lighter mechanism (#3). At least mine did.

 

You know, I've been pondering this question for a couple years now; wondering if the light that was apparently surrounding the socket in my car was also inoperative. "Surely," I told myself, "a company like BMW wouldn't put a faux indicator light around a power socket..."

Silly me...