Most liked posts in thread: New, from Mexico, and need HELP with a brake light issue

In modern cars electrical problems you need to start diagnosing the problem, and start to eliminating a possible culprits. Unfortunately the electrical components are hidden and most of cases with difficult access. Probably dealers may have tools that interfaces with control boards to simulate sensors and turn on/off. But like most of us we have available a multi meter and if lucky the electrical diagram that gives some guidance.

Just identifying parts, dissambling them with the risk of break to just get to the part you/we think is a problem is not one easy job.

One example in the lack of experience is Bentley manual shows where BC1 is located but doesnt give you detail how to get there. Them we rely in somebody with experience that this job already, on this case we luck because FES auto that has a document show the parts and steps to remove the footwell.

Like similar situations there is not one exact answer, but possible causes that needs to be tested, checked and eliminated.

 

Make sure you disconnect the battery first. Check connector for corrosion and oxidation.
If not a visual problem, then like somebody indicated before try to identify the diode and test it with a multi meter. Honestly I was looking to electrical diagrams on what is public I didnt see any diode, but looks like somebody has gone more deep into that and bumped into a faulty one. As was mentioned before you need to look for it.

 

Did you consider the diode? If it fails "open", you get the symptoms you describe. At least that is what I see in many posts on 04-05 with "brake light always on failures".

I realize it looks like a crappy difficult tedious detailed job to go deeper into the car and to possibly undo some wire loom wrapping.

But, if you don't trust your aftermarket dealer you have limited options. Maybe find a trusted mechanic (doesn't have to be a MINI specialist) or a friend who can do details well.

Good luck.

 

:cornut:Welcome to MA. Your English is better than most of us Gringos can speak.:lol::lol::lol: As above, some one with knowledge of brake lights should be along soon.

Jason

 

Welcome to M/A!

 

Welcome to Motoring Alliance

 

Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini site.

 

The mini has 2 controller the ECM (Engine Control Module) and the General Module (or Body Control Module). The General Module (BC1) that is identified as component A1 controls practically everything on the Mini.

Practically the switch you were talking about that is installed on pedal it is just a sensor that goes into the Body control module in a circuit with a Transistor that controls the voltage on the lamp that makes it dim (more or less light).

When you remove the key from ignition, removing from the car are the brake lights still on?

The Body Control Module (General Module) is located behind right footwell trim.

Make one inspection of the Body Control Module in terms of humidity, what could be causing your problem is leaking water from the windshield or the door panel, because the BCM is on the bottom if there is a leak going inside it can accumulating there.

Make one inspection there. If you detect excessive humidity and decide to remove the Body Control Module to clean and dry, don't forget to remove battery cable to avoid any circuit to be energized.

On Today's car this type of problems are not easy anymore because we have a black box doing everything and it is not just a simple circuit with a switch and light.

I hope this has provided you some direction.

 

It is a long piece of plastic on the bottom in between the carpet and the rubber (weather stripping). On that behind on the biggest part almost under glove box on right is where the body control module is located.

I have installed and FES pro sift light and on my R53 and to reach the speed wire signal and you need to remove the foot well on the passenger side.

IT IS A TRICK JOB. Feel like a lost things will go wrong.

But you can have one idea by looking this document.
http://www.fes-auto.com/upload/doc/4/TrackCoach%20ProShift%20User%20Guide.pdf
Just look for "Step 4 Tap into the speed signal (optional)" and that is the foot well that I am talking about.

Again I recommend you have the electrical diagrams and components. If you don't have in hand a Bentley manual or such service manual I recommend you to take a look at to search for all the diagrams you need.

http://www.bmw-planet.com/diagrams/release/en/r50/index.htm

Note: This web site relies in the SVG viewer that is a plug in that was made by Adobe, it is discontinued but is still work, so to view the diagrams you need to install the plug in, otherwise when you go at bmw-planet web site and select a diagram you will not be able to see anything.

To get the SVG viewer use the following link. The only plug n available is for Win 98/XP and last version was SVG 3.03. I am using windows Vista and it did work.
SVG Developer Center | Adobe Developer Connection

 

Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

 

Actually a correction looks like they have updated
BMW Online Wiring Diagram System (WDS) by BMW-Planet.com

You no longer need the SVG viewer. The previous link was in error use this one and enjoy.

 

Welcome to the FUN!!!