Hey everyone,

brand new to the mini community! I am struggling with some issues and was hoping for some help as I have limited knowledge with minis! I bought a used 2006 mini this last January and about 1 month after I purchased it the battery started dying if it would sit for more than two days. I had some body work done on the car (pothole) and they said at the shop the car was dying frequently! So they did some electrical diagnostics and determined that the H/K amp (kicker) was taking a huge drain from the battery.

They took out the fuse and the amp is shut off and the car has no problems now. Other then the fact that I have no music or sound in the car! So i called a few places and they seem to just assume the amp is shot and a replacement would run me near 1,000 bucks!

Has anybody had an issue similar to this? and If so what did you do? I was thinking maybe run a wire and hook up a switch for the fuse to be able to turn the amp on and off?

Any help would be much appreciated as I am a broke medical student and do not have 1,000 dollars for a new amp!

Thanks Matt

 

Some light reading. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p-failure.html

 

Not heard much about the h/k amp draining the battery. Do you have the factory HK setup or an aftermarket stereo deck and an enabler for the HK amp maybe. Just wanting to make sure the stereo system is all stock. Check the alternator and make sure the battery cables are connect soundly and solid to the terminal.
Then narrow to the amp. I guess it could have failed and caused a drain. Has the speaker been popping of cracking in and out. Has the amp turned on and off or had many "high pitch Beeps" ?

Part numbers in this thread for the amp , you have an 2006 , there is part number for the hardtop R50 / R53 and the convertible R52. With the prices.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...re-a-mute.html

Thanks and good luck.

 

Thanks joylove , was just going to send that link with all the info gathered.

 

ECS makes a good point: The HK amp is powered up and down using a databus message from the factory H/U to the H/K amp.

If the system has been modified you may need to detail the modifications.

The use of the word 'kicker' in your post makes me suspicious that there is aftermarket equipment there.

 

Oh man, this thread is enlightening to say the least. Thank you guys so much for the replies!

I basically assumed the kicker amp and speakers were part of the H/K system since the subwoofer in my car has a mini logo engraved on the box and a kicker amped sealed into the back floor but H/K speakers in the front. I have attached pictures of everything. Including the bass dial in the front (by kicker), the H/K speakers and then the AMP and Sub in the back.

To answer your questions guys, The battery connection and alternator are good to go, and as far as cracks, or cutting out or anything like that...absolutely zero signs and the sound system worked very nicely it was just draining the battery.

Here are some photos guys, I am interested to see what you think as I now have no idea what to do now!

 

Here are a couple that I described in the previous post. I am currently reading through some of the links you so kindly provided!

 

Can you check to see if there is a large can-shaped capacitor in there? Do you own a multimeter and can you measure the AMP ON wire at the kicker amp? Does the amp say if it is mono or multi channel? Does it have the MINI Head unit?

 

Will do first thing in the morning! I do not have a multimeter. The head unit for sure is the original mini and the optional aux input is not installed.

 

Ok so we probably need to figure out how the amplifier is powered up. There is normally a signal called AMP ON from the headunjt that makes the amps start. It may however use some funky new audio sensing, so have a look at the wiring of the amp power inputs and snap a pic to share.

 

Ah, that's what I figured, aftermarket set up on stock HU. Yea time to track down the drain on the kicker amp.

 

So i took a few pics, I think they may be the capacitor (attached Image) and I also took a pic of the amp as it does not list anything about multichannel...etc. Unfortunately the amp is sealed into the floor and I have zero tools...not even a set of sockets ( I know I know...time to step my game up). Luckily I got in contact with a decent car stereo shop and they are going to get my car in on Friday afternoon for some diagnostics!! I will keep you guys updated!!!