I just brought home my '05 MCS, so I am not familiar with everything yet, so please bare with me.

I came home tonight, after dark, and noticed that the odometer display on the speedo and the speed display on the tach remained luminated even after turning off the car and locking the doors. Is it supposed to remain lit or is there something I have forgot to shut off?

The second small issue I have is with the keyless entry. The keyfob unlocked the doors when I picked the car up but hasn't worked since. It neither locks nor unlocks the doors now. I have tried with both keys, just in case, but nothing. I drove the car for about 1/2 hour charge the key battery a little, but still no luck. Is it the key or something else?

I hate to run to the dealer if these are just operator errors.

 

I was hoping someone could maybe run outside and peak in their window to see if those lights are still illuminated on their car.

 

I just ran to my car, everything is off. I'll recheck it after I shut it off when I go pick up some food later tonight.

 

That's kind of what I thought. It doesn't make sense for those lights to stay on. I guess I will need to take it in to get checked out. Thanks.

 

Did you turn your lights all the way back off? If you still have the stalk end twisted so your parking lights are on your dash lights will also be on. My dash lights go out immediatly after I turn off my parking lights.

 

D-Fuzz, you know that little re-set button for the trip-meter? Go give that a wiggle and see what happens (without the key in the ignition). Might be stuck.

 

Lights were turned off all the way and I used the trip meter button to set the clock, so it should have been OK. Anyway, I woke up to a dead battery this morning. It must be bad karma or something. When I picked the car up the other day, the keyless entry suddenly wasn't working. "Hmm, that's weird. It's never done that before." Now the thing with these dash lights. I guess it will need to go in tomorrow to get checked out.

 

I think the problem's in the ignition switch. If the car is in "accessory" mode when the owner turns off and removes the key, that'd explain all of it.

Odometer would be on
Keyless entry wouldn't work
Battery probably wouldn't die overnight

Next time you get a chance, turn off the switch, remove the key, open and close the door, NOW try the power windows. If they work, the switch is staying at least partially on. (MINIs have retained accessory power, opening the door and closing it cancels it)

Best of luck,

Rawhyde

 

Rawhyde,

I think you hit the nail on the head. The windows rolling down when with the key out of the ignition was the biggest clue. I will be taking the car in to have it looked at tomorrow. Thanks for your diagnosis.

 

The official problem came from an aftermarket stereo amp that was installed in the car. The amp was continually sending a signal to the computer, making the computer think the ignition was still on. So, it is fixed but of course, it is not covered under warranty. Figures! The amp was installed professionally(??) by a shop in town, so I will take it up with them and hopefully they will reimburse me for the repairs. I am just glad it is fixed and I can get on with enjoying the car.

 

Glad you got it fixed!

 

The funny thing was when I drove it to the dealership this morning to drop it off, I pulled into the lot and when I shut the key off, the radio shut off as did the dash lights. The first time it did so in 3 days. I pushed the unlock button on the keyfob and the locks worked. I thought, "You have got to be kidding me. Now it works." Then I opened the door, the radio came back on, as did the lights, and the keyfob was dead again. But, as I said, at least it is fixed now.