CLOWNS???? Hmmm...well, since the so-called purists call the MINI a "clown" car, I guess we owners/drivers of MINIs can identify with that, too.
Well, finally got the "convulsing window" thing worked out. Replaced the door latch actuator, what a PTA. I well be honest, I could not get the outer door handle cable attached. I spent half of last Saturday morning just on that one cable. Brought it to the shop yesterday, took them an hour. They suggested that if I ever try to replace another one (fat chance) I need to attach all the cables prior to securing the actuator. Which I did but that one kept popping out of the attachment. I went back to see if what they did and it looks like I had that one cable routed wrong, so that probably didn't help. Button everything up last night and vacuumed the interior. Dark by the time i got done and just happened to notice I have no reverse lights. Guess I get to take some readings tonight and see if I can figure it out.
Having done that job once I will never attempt to do it again. The inside of MINI doors are lined with razor blades. My hands where quite bloody when the job was done.
It’s a thought. At least this seems strait forward from what I am reading. From everything I have read with both lights out it’s pointing towards the reverse-backup switch on the tranny. Picked one up during lunch and will try installing tonight Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your not kidding. If it wasn’t tucked so far up in that corner it might not be to bad. I want to replace the seals on the door handles and side view mirrors, somebody is getting paid for that project. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, glad your car is operational back to the classic Minis where in the 1960's and early 70's, cars did not have to have reverse lights yet. You can do what my buddy did, and mounted a spotlight on his rear bumper (Datsun 510). When he needed light when backing up, he turned on the rear spotlight. Motor on!
I took the MINI out for a good drive today. Got it up on the highway, ran it through all the gears. It was fun... until I got home. I parked it in the garage, got out, and there was a line of drips up the driveway, and a little puddle where I stopped to wait for my driveway gate to open. Dipped my finger in it, smelled it, and it was coolant/anti-freeze. Crap. The car didn't overheat, at least not enough to set off an alert or hurt anything. I let it cool off and it starts and runs fine. I drove the Audi up to O’Reilly and got some Pentosin. I'm hoping it was just low on coolant, and got hot on the last part of the drive, which was residential stop and go. It was 39-degrees outside, so it may have been okay at highway speeds. I'll mess around with it tomorrow -- or this week for sure. That's a problem with not driving a car enough, especially an old car. My MINI is 15 years old. Working in the classic car industry, I see it all the time. Cars get parked for too long, stuff happens. CD
After the other night of trouble shooting the backup lights I guess I should have started with the exorcism. Checked the continuity of the fuse, bulbs and switch, all good although the switch was a little flaky. Bathed it in isopropyl alcohol, let it dry, put it back together to check voltages and everything worked. Took it in for the safety inspection Friday before anything else decided to act up, good for another year. Maybe I’ll get to work on something fun on GIR here soon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mini Dave just had a write up on replacing his thermostat and commented on some of the problems he encountered with the repair.
Rufus is a garage queen (or King, I guess)... hell, even my "daily driver" has been in that same status since COVID and both my wife and I work from home. Rufus got and engine flush, new oil, oil filter, cabin filter and spark plugs a few weeks ago... just the regular service. I've got a new supercharger belt out in the garage, but haven't gotten around to that yet. Anyway, it was a beautiful evening last night, so I pulled the cover off and went out for a nice 30 minute drive. It was absolutely time for the Italian tune-up (high rev blast down the highway) and he's running like a top! I stopped for a tank of gas, did a quick wipe-down with detailing spray and put the cover back on (and reconnected the battery charger). It was nice to be back out and about! It was brisk and the tires weren't very grippy (ultra-high performance summer tires), but just a little street cruise was fun.
Took GIR out to the body shop to see what a few touch ups was going to run as well as replacing the side mirror door seals. After my last encounter with interior door repair I am going to leave it to the pros. Dropped him off home and then took the R107s to a tire shop and had the rubber removed so I can have them repaired and resurfaced. Hate to see what that is going to cost, cheaper than brand news I would think.
It will be interesting to see what a body shop will charge for replacing the mirror gaskets. What wheels and tires will you have on while the R107s are being repaired.
Went to take my S and the dog for a spin. As I was backing off the high curb from my driveway, I backed into the snow pile left by the plow driver and crunched my Milltek. It sounds like shit. Now I have to find someone [not the MINI dealer, since I KNOW I'll be screwed].
I was quoted $100 dollars a door but that was before I knew that the door handle gaskets came with new door handles. $200 is still worthy my arms not getting torn up and a day or more of frustration. GIR is running Enkies right now and probably will for a time
I can’t find them on Outmotoring’s site. Could you post a link (especially for the door handle gaskets)?