Hello, new to forum. I just purchased a 2009 Mini Cooper S. When I was driving it last night, every time I stepped on the brake, the interior lights came on. When I stepped on them again, they went off. This morning the car did not have enough juice to start so I had to jump it. Also I noticed that the interior lights do not come on when I open the door unless the keyfob is in. The headlights will not turn on unless the keyfob is in. The P on the gear select indicator remains on even when the car is off. The car also will occasionally make a buzzing noise like something is activating when the car is just sitting there and off. I know this is a lot of stuff and some may be normal, but I thinking I may have been scammed on my purchase.

 

thats a heck of a lot of electrical issues. Just from what I hear sounds like some sort of short going on. As far as I know everything on the car is controlled by some central computer and not individually like many cars. So when you flip the interior lights the switch triggers something on the central computer which determines how to turn on the light etc. If such is the case (and others would probably know) then I'd look into finding out where the heck the computer is and perhaps it got flooded or something and thus all the electrical issues.


So I'd guess you would be looking for something like this to fix your issues
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Cooper-...1WxqYl&vxp=mtr

 

The illuminated "p" staying on after the car is turned off, I believe, is normal. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3996692 Just to rule it out of the equation, I'd test the battery. Do you know if the previous owner ever replaced it? I know all sorts of weird electrical gremlins can happen with a bad battery.

I'd also make sure there aren't any areas in the electronics that is damp from water intrusion.

 

Replacing battery first on list. Was reading all kinds of crazy stuff regarding that. Programming computer to battery at dealership? Special Battery? Etc

QUOTE=PelicanParts.com;4186719]The illuminated "p" staying on after the car is turned off, I believe, is normal. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3996692 Just to rule it out of the equation, I'd test the battery. Do you know if the previous owner ever replaced it? I know all sorts of weird electrical gremlins can happen with a bad battery.

I'd also make sure there aren't any areas in the electronics that is damp from water intrusion.[/QUOTE]

 

You need to see if your battery is equipped with the IBS unit. This will be determined by looking at the negative battery terminal. Lots of info and pictures of what it looks like HERE. You can also post a picture for me here and I can tell you if it is. You can take it to a MINI indy shop and they can do it for you, for much less than the dealer. If you don't have the tools to do it yourself that is. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Here's my battery

 

You do not have the IBS system so you should be able to replace the battery and not have to register it.

 

Awesome! Autozone here I come.

 

ok....got a new battery from Autozone. $183 ouch.....No problems with battery works great but I still have that interior light issue. Everytime I step on brake pedal the interior lights come on.....if I step on them again they go off. Any ideas?

 

Thats not good, Might be a bad footwell module. Have you check the footwell module for moisture and / or a flooded carpet.

The only other thing i could think of is the door latch / lock is opening a hair when you slam on the brakes, causing the interior lights come on. Do you get a door open warning?


Open and shut all the doors again.

 

I haven't noticed any moisture in the footwell and no door ajar lights are coming on. There is a clicking noise that seems to be coming from the lower portion of the center console when I step on the brake pedal.

 

Something is moving around in there , should not click , do you have an automatic ? I would check that foot-well module, its usually the first thing is the interior lighting goes haywire. Do you have a good scan tool, i would get one and see if you can see stored fault codes for the footwell module. Just used this last night to pull up mine. I would get it and read whats going on.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-q-and-a.html

 

Yes... It's an automatic.

 

Still would get that tool, it will help track down the fault and modules. Sounds like the lock switch on the automatic shiftier is working , as if its parked, every time you hit the brake, hence the lights. Werid. Either get the tool, if you want to MINI can scan it to see whats at fault be they will charge a one hr labor rate.

 

I'd maybe think it would be a short in the wiring somewhere... I have seen some weird funky lighting issues with other vehicles (including BMW) that happened with grounding, battery, or wire issues.

 

It's the footwell module. $1009 at the stealership. They said $504 for the module and $505 to install and program. 3 hours to program? Sounds like a total scam but I have no choice.

 

Our price for the module is a little over $400 - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-3-452-092-BOE. You could also contact a MINI independent shop as they may be able to do the job for less. You could use this site to help you find one. http://www.minirepairshops.com/ You can call and ask for a quote as I'm sure it may be less than the dealer. Glad they found the issue.