1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: Electrical gremlin!

Page 1 of 3
  1. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    #5 Justa Jim, Aug 25, 2011
    Have you considered getting a horn attached to a can of compressed air and just sticking it out the window when you need it. :lol:

    Sorry, I just had to say it.

    Jim
     
  2. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #14 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    Thanks, Jim!

    Some of the white bits (wheels) are now high-gloss powdercoat black; other white bits will be changing over to black and TBD. Chrome is now high-gloss black with the exception of the MINI wings on bonnet/boot. :Thumbsup:

    The MSFW & all the innards were replaced after my 03/15/08 sneezing crash. Since I've been having issues with the horn, I guess I will need to have the collision center take another look at things to make sure they didn't nick some wiring or something when the repairs were being made.

    Luckily for me, I chose a Nationwide Blue Ribbon shop, so any issues associated with any repairs will be covered at no cost to me for as long as I own Schultze.
     
  3. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #16 Metalman, Aug 25, 2011
    I'm with you Chuck (Crashton) the horns and the airbag light can't possibly be connected.... Orrrrr can they can be....

    According to one of my latest library books I got today....:Thumbsup:

    The steering column switch cluster (SZL) contains the following (it's the plastic structure right behind the steering wheel, with the turn signal stalk and light switch stalk).

    That's all one big integrated component of the following....
    1 Exterior Light Switch
    2 Steering Angle Sensor (if equipped)
    3 Wiper Washer Switch
    4 On-board computer setting switch.


    And wait for it.....


    5 Horn and Driver Airbag Spring Contact (Volute Spring).

    Bad News......
    The components are not available separately. In case of switch failure, replace SZL as a unit.

    More Bad News....
    RealOEM..... $599.19 :eek6:

    [​IMG]

    Good news.....?
    Someone has "Blue Ribbon" Insurance.

    Ericka.... Sounds like a bad #5....... But I think that's your issue with the horns and airbag light coming on....:D
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #31 Metalman, Sep 1, 2011
    WOW, what a bunch of jerks.
    You might want to consider listing a review of your experience with this dealer under the "Reviews" button at the top header and scroll down until you find the offensive den of vermin, just so no other MINI owners go through what you did. Could be a simple clip and paste to transfer your story.
     
  5. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #38 SNEEEZY - Erika, Sep 2, 2011

    CHECKERED FLAG of VIRGINIA BEACH
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #40 Metalman, Sep 2, 2011
    The dealerships make most of their money after the sale with service and repair. Is moving your MINI business over to Crown MINI of Richmond out of the question? Other MINI owners might be tempted to do the same. Ask your insurance company if someone else can't take a shot at solving your electrical issues. I sure wouldn't give "Checkered Flag of V. B." any of my MINI money.....
    As MINI opens more dealerships in the US, it'll be easier to select where you do business.
     
  7. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 22, 2010
    3,390
    1,213
    113
    North Carolina
    Ratings:
    +1,221 / 0 / -0
    #48 Mr. Jim, Sep 2, 2011
    I don't think that's true, at least it wasn't. The week after I bought mine in 06 MINI USA called me fir a survey and I just happened to have a problem on the first day I got it and the dealers manager and service manager were being ******* about it, well after the survey and my story, they took care of me the way they should have. Sweet! Just saying.....
     
  8. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

    May 5, 2009
    4,936
    534
    0
    Working at being retired.
    Somewhere in Sykesville. Md.
    Ratings:
    +534 / 0 / -0
    #2 Norm03s, Aug 25, 2011
    unplug one at a time replace fuse and blow the horn till you find which one is shorted out.
     
  9. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #3 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    Damn...it's the obvious things that kick my butt every time.

    Thanks for the tip...I'll report back with update.
     
  10. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #4 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    Unplugged driver side; replaced fuse; honked horn = no sound.

    Plugged in driver side; unplugged passenger side; honked horn = no sound.

    When I honk the horn, I can hear a heavy "click" in the steering wheel, but nothing else.

    ???
     
  11. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #6 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    Funny you should mention the canned air horn...

    I found mine in the closet and tested it in the masterbath while the hubby was taking a shower. He thought it was funny; my bulldog, Dozer, not quite so much. He tried jumping up to attack the air horn while I was still holding it.

    An hour or so later I was walking in from the utility room and I was carrying the florescent orange funnels that I use for engine fluids...Dozer jumped up thinking I was holding the air horn again.

    Dogs are colorblind, but I guess the shape of the funnel reminded him of the air horn.
     
  12. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    #7 Justa Jim, Aug 25, 2011
    They say that and horses too, but I simply do not believe it. The feeling in the scientific community is that their eyes are not like ours, therefore they can not see color. I spend a lot of time around both and I simply don't buy it. :nonod:

    Jim
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #8 Crashton, Aug 25, 2011
    Man Jim I can't believe you are kidding around about this, it is serious man!

    Back on topic....

    Erika do you have a warning light that looks like this?

    [​IMG]
     
  14. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #9 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    The only light that has been coming on recently is the passenger airbag/seatbelt light on the dash and the passenger airbag light on the ceiling near the sunroof switch.

    I had posted about the airbag/seatbelt light last week or so, but I can't find it now.

    The airbag/seatbelt light doesn't ALWAYS come on...sometimes it will come on if my 100# daughter is in the front seat; other times it will come on even if my 140# daughter is in the front seat.

    If I stop, turn off the engine, wait 15 seconds or so and then restart the car, the light "sometimes" goes away. Other times it will come in after 15-30 seconds.

    erg.
     
  15. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #10 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    I'll try to take a pic of the warning light that comes on...but now that I want a pic, it probably won't come on for awhile!
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #11 Crashton, Aug 25, 2011
    The airbag seatbelt light has nothing to do with the horns not working. Since you have been in there poking around retrace your steps. You may find the issue.
     
  17. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #12 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    Chuck,

    The only thing I've done is unscrew the bolt which holds each OEM horn via the bracket and unplugged the OEM quick disconnects.

    Nothing has been spliced, nicked, cut, etc. I checked the OEM horn wiring when I was under the bonnet earlier disconnecting each horn separately to see which was shorted, per Norm3s' suggestion.

    The horn fuse issue has been going on for quite awhile; it's just happening more frequently now.
     
  18. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    #13 Justa Jim, Aug 25, 2011
    Just took a look at your garage Erika, nice looking MINI. :Thumbsup:

    Wiring issues are a real mystery sometimes and the source of the problem might not be where you would normally think it should be. Have you tried to track the horn wiring all the way back to the MFSW? It is possible that the problem could be there.

    Jim
     
  19. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 6, 2009
    7,422
    1,685
    113
    Ratings:
    +1,685 / 0 / -0
    #15 Justa Jim, Aug 25, 2011
    That is good Ericka. Maybe they were unknowingly the cause.

    Those changes sound cool. You need to update your garage. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  20. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 27, 2009
    1,212
    116
    63
    Female
    Ratings:
    +121 / 0 / -0
    #17 SNEEEZY - Erika, Aug 25, 2011
    Thanks, MM!

    As a matter of fact, the shop had to replace that particular part TWICE during the initial repair. The first replacement was somehow defective, so it was replaced a second time.

    My p-side fog light will go "out" while the d-side is still lit, so I'll turn 'em off (they're programmed to automatically come on when I start the engine). After a few engine restarts, the p-side fog light will start working again.

    With Irene headed our way, I'm going to call the shop tomorrow to get on the Early Bird list for next week.
     
Page 1 of 3