2002 MINI Cooper electrical problems

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · GA

Driverside headlight assembly flickers everytime when you turn the key to position 1 with selector on off or auto. Flickers multiple times but doesn'tturn on unless I cycle the key on off until headlight does. This annoyance would reoccur the very next morning. Passenger headlight assembly doesn't have any issues.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

I purchased the vehicle used with airbag light showing on the speedometer gauge cluster. Searched with vin for recalls but showed 0 unrepaired recalls. Tried clearing the light with my Launch CREADER BMW V2 scan tool. Light flashes a few times and goes away but immediately appears on the speedometer gauge cluster. This would happen everytime. Wires are intact with no signs of damages to all 3 wire connectors under the seat.

Filed Mar 26, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 123,400 miles · WI · fire

After a short trip, I had just parked the mini. Fortunately, it was outdoors and within 50ft of my tool chest. On turning off the ignition and removing the key, I noticed an unusual noise; the [electric] power steering pump continued to run. A few seconds later, smoke appeared. I raced to my tool drawer, grabbing the first suitable tool, channel lock pliers, and proceeded to hastily disconnect one of the battery terminals. Smoke was heavy at that point. Disconnecting power prevented further damage, and was fortunately done in time, before the wiring harness was incinerated, or the situation became a self-sustaining conflagration. Apparently, although there is a 100a fuse present, the fault protection on the power steering pump circuit is inadequate. I removed the power wire to the pump, to allow the vehicle to be driven, with heavy [non-assisted] steering, pending service. Since the outcome is not so bad, why should I complain? Consider if the vehicle were parked indoors, and/or if the same event were to happen to someone with less electrical aptitude. I don't expect accessories to last forever; the vehicle is 11 years old with 123k miles. I do object to the failure mode, in which the power steering pump circuit becomes an incendiary device...

Filed Nov 5, 2012 · Electrical, Seats · 135,000 miles · OH

I turned the seat heater on and it melted a hole in the leather seat and the foam padding started to burn.

Filed Oct 16, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 86,156 miles · CA

My power steering fan continues to run even after the care is turned off. It completely drained my battery so I replaced the battery. Two weeks later the same thing happened and I learned that my power steering pump and fan are defective. Also intermittent loss of power steering while driving and needless to say this can be very dangerous.

Filed Apr 27, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · 60,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mini cooper. The contact stated that the headlights and cabin lights would remain illuminated after the vehicle was shut off. In addition, the contact stated that he would often become locked inside or outside of the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised him that the control module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2008 · Electrical, Transmission · 60,000 miles · NY

Purchased a used 2002 mini cooper about 3 1/2 yrs ago w/ about 12k miles. At around 15-17k miles the transmission basically exploded while I was on the highway. I was told that there was a crack in the transmission. Mini replaced it with I'm guessing a rebuilt transmission. At the time of the repair I asked them if they were putting in a new clutch and they said no, which I found strange. Now at 60k miles the clutch is basically done. When the car is cold it shifts pretty normally, but after 15-25 minutes of driving the first two gears become hard to engage and they slip. This is not my first five speed and I'm shocked that this clutch is done after such little mileage. Should they have replaced the clutch when they replaced the transmission? I'm not a mechanic but to lose a clutch at 60k miles doesn't make any sense. My driving habits are pretty normal. I'm not lighting up the tires at traffic lights or racing people. This is an everyday car mostly used on the highway. I'm bringing the car in to have it looked at the mini service center in freeport ny on 12/29/08. Also had a problem with overheating about 4 months after car was purchased. And air bag light stays lit. Have had this problem corrected once or twice. But the light still stays lit.

Filed Jan 18, 2008 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · GA · fire

I was driving my 2002 mini cooper. I had driven 1/4 mile and thought I heard something crack or spark under the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. Then I saw smoke, pulled over, got out, and the whole car went up in flames.

Filed Jan 2, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 56,344 miles · OK

I have a 2002 mini cooper with 52k miles, the transmission has went out twice in the past 2 years the first time at 31k miles. The clutch has also went out as well as the sunroof motor, left front brake caliper, windshield wiper motor with a host of sensors, gauges etc... Parts are impossible to get and service on a 24k car (when new) is as much as my 70k bmw 7 series.

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Electrical · 61,000 miles · CA · fire

Went out to dinner with my parents - gone approximately 2 hours - came back to find the car completely burned. Fire department was called by a neighbor. There was no indication at all that there was anything wrong when we parked the car. Have found other cases (via the internet) in the uk that this has happened.