1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: Gas Cap Solenoid...

I'm going to attach a piezzo buzzer so that I have a louder notification to remind me that I did, indeed, lock the doors when walking away from Schultze.

The piezzo buzzer that I bought is loud (of course!) and will be heard when locking/unlocking the doors, since the gas cap automatically locks/unlocks in unison with the doors.

Guess I have another opportunity to use my brand new multimeter while locking/unlocking the doors!

 

This is a video I found from someone else who has done this same project:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IgjD1zUTBQ]MINI lock sound-2 - YouTube[/ame]

 

Nope, no alarm...but the dumb-ass sexist neighbors DON'T know that...plus, more & more often I find myself walking BACK to Schultze to lock/unlock the doors since I can remember if I did (or not) and I can't remember if I heard the "clunk" or not.

I'm pretty sure I'd remember hearing the piezzo sound, though!

 

MINI-hijack of my own thread:

If one were to be in the area of a scheduled Ohio donut-meet, where would said meet take place?

 

Thanks for the link!

Hopefully I can make it up there soon; I'd like to meet you guys, too!

 

Ok...back to topic...

Will the multimeter work through the wire's insulation?

 

Thanks for the pic!

Yes, I have small hands and I'm GLAD that I won't have to remove the tail-lights...those were NOT fun when I ditched the OEMs in favor of the clear LEDS from Mossmini.com

 

Ok...I found it on realoem.com after going to "Bodywork>>Rear Body"...thanks!

Which one is the solenoid?

 

So, I just got back from buying & installing the new Interstate battery, so I removed the easy-access panel cover on the driver side of the boot.

The only wiring I can see is a hub of ground wires, a "rope" of a gazillion wires loosely wrapped with fabric tape and the two wires for the boot's auxiliary 12v power socket.

Am I accessing the area via the correct panel?

I'm afraid that the wiring I need is in the space between the exterior metal and the interior metal that is covered by the textured body covering.

 

Forgot to mention that I did start to remove the textured interior body covering and then remembered I would also need to remove the back seats, which I'm really not in the mood to do with my back as twitchy as it is right now.

However...I did notice that there is some wiring that connects to the boot latch.

The boot latch automatically locks when the doors are locked...so...I wonder if it'd be possible to simply tap into one of those wires instead?

Same principle, just different source.

Thoughts?

 

With trial & error, I ended up finding the wiring for the gas cap solenoid.

I ran a longer ground wire from the piezzo alarm via posi-lock and attached it to the "ground wire hub" near the canister for the roof airbags.

Ran a longer hot wire from the piezzo alarm via posi-lock and spliced into the yellow/brown solenoid wire.

Buttoned it all up and although I can hear it, I want it to be louder, so I'm headed to Radio Shack to see if they have any higher db piezzo alarms in stock.

Right now it is in the cubby space nearest the driver rear tail light...

Will post pics & sound bite later tonight or first thing tomorrow...my tummy is YELLING LOUDLY at me right now. :donut1: