1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: On-Board Computer Going Nuts

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #6 Metalman, Mar 4, 2011
    Yeah..... but we helped you figure it out. The dealer would have charged you. :D
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Mar 4, 2011
    What year is this MINI?

    Has the battery ever been replaced?
     
  3. CHKMINI

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    #3 CHKMINI, Mar 4, 2011
    +1 Have the battery checked.
     
  4. Mr. Jim

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    #4 Mr. Jim, Mar 4, 2011
    Also have you done any work on it lately? Maybe a loose engine ground connection.
     
  5. Dirt

    Dirt New Member

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    #5 Dirt, Mar 4, 2011
    After looking into it, it looks like it is in fact the battery. There goes more money that I don't have...
     
  6. Dirt

    Dirt New Member

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    #7 Dirt, Mar 5, 2011
    On second thought, it's not that. After buying a new battery, everything is still acting up. Alternator is putting out plenty of voltage, so it's probably not that, either.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #8 Nathan, Mar 5, 2011
    Since you have "There's nothing like the sound of a screaming R53 =D" I assuming this is a 1st gen MINI. Pop the hood, look for the long rectangular relay box on the right side (as you face the car) and open it up. Press down on all the relays one at a time to make sure they are securely in place.
     
  8. CHKMINI

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    #9 CHKMINI, Mar 5, 2011
    Also on a 1st gen car...mounted on the driver's side of the firewall is a small plactic box that houses the positive jump stud. Check that stud for corrosion and tightness. I had a similar issue with the charging system on my first MINI and it ended up being the jump stud coming loose.
     
  9. Dirt

    Dirt New Member

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    #10 Dirt, Mar 5, 2011
    Thanks for the tips...still messed up. And yes, this is a 1st gen.
     
  10. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #11 BThayer23, Mar 5, 2011
    But the money spent on the battery wasn't wasted. Those should be replaced when they fail or roughly every 5 years. From the THMMC site I saw you have a 2003, so that one was probably due soon.
     
  11. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #12 Minidave, Mar 6, 2011
    It could be the plug at the tach, take the screws out and pull the plug and reinsert it firmly to make sure - it's a no charge check. :D

    Other than that, I'd look for a bad ground somewhere too - make sure the battery cable has a good connection to the car, and the one in the engine compartment too - that one's up near the motor mount on the passenger side of the car.