I have a May 2002 build MCS with JCW Tuning Kit.

For about 2 years now I rarely get through a full tank of gas without the trip odometer resetting. The reset usually occurs when I switch the ignition off. At the same time my Scangauge attempts to reconnect and sometimes the clock resets to zero hour.

Last week the driverside window would not roll down. I tried the trick of holding the toggle down and banging the door card between the speakers, but it still wouldn't go down.

Yesterday I started my car and drove a couple of hundred feet. Over this distance the radio cut out a few times and I temporarily lost power steering. After that I had no problems and the driverside window started working again.

The battery has been in service since late August 2007 but it still registers between 13.5 and 14 volts on the Scangauge depending on what's (radio, auto-AC) running. The battery registers 12.5 volts when the engine isn't running.

Is it time for a new battery or is there some other explanation for these electrical gremlins?

 

Could very well be a marginal battery. You're running on a 6+ yr old battery, is way past useful life, I'd just go ahead and replace it.

 

2002 MCS with the JCW Tuning Kit, very nice.

I would check all the ground connections and the terminals on the battery. Down near the starter to the battery, Sounds like a voltage drop from an un-secure ground. Make sure the ground on the passenger side near the engine mount to the body is good. You can see it on that passenger motor mount to the body.



Also if you can load test the battery, is your MINI starting right up all the time?

Think its a battery or the ground or alternator, but I would also check the alternator & cables, when the alternator its on its way out, drains the battery. First goes the radio , then the PS.

I don't know if the scan gauge is correct since its not getting full power it sounds like.


Thanks

 

This is at the low end of where it should be. Usually acceptable but it should really be closer to 12.7 v.