Hey guys, I recently bought my first Mini and have run into several issues. Most of which I have been able to take care of, but I can't seem to figure this one out so I am hoping someone knows what's going on here. The license plate lights have not worked since I bought the car. I have replaced both bulbs and made sure there was no corrosion on the contacts, but still cannot get either to work. I don't have a owner's manual, but looked online to see if there was a fuse for it and can't find any info. I have searched the forums as well to no avail. I am scared to drive it at night because cops tend to be picky about that sort of thing. Any guidance to solving this problem would be much appreciated.

 

Here is a copy of the manual
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...percoopers.pdf

Here is all the fuses and Relays

Engine compartment fusebox
F1 5A Digital engine electronics control unit
F2 20A Digital engine electronics control unit/Ignition coil/Cylinder 1-4 fuel injection valves/Crankshaft position sensor (From K6300 87)
F3 15A Camshaft position sensor/O2 sensor before cat/O2 sensor after cat/Solenoid valve, fuel tank ventilation/Relay K19 control power (From K6300 87)
F4 15A Tank Leakage diagnosis pump
F5 5A Relay, engine cooling electric fan (From K6300 87)
F6 30A ABS/ASC/DSC control module
F7 30A Magnetic clutch for AC compressor via relay K19
F8 30A control power K69923 Relay, electric power steering pump cooling fan/Switch unit Heating & A/C blower
F9 20A BC1 (X11177 2) unit via I01136 and I01137 (Relay front wiper motor fast/slow and Relay front wiper motor on/off)
F10 15A BC1/Left fog/Right fog/Switch panel via K47
FL1 50A Feed to F14, F31, F32 (BC1,Heating & Air con blower)
FL2 50A Feed to F1, F2, F3, F4, F19, F20, F21, F22, F23, F24, F25, F26, F27, F28, F37 (BC1, steering angle sensor, clock, instrument cluster, navigation, on-board monitor, wash/wipe, horn, audio system.)
FL3 -
FL4 100A Electric Steering control unit/Hydraulic pump
FL5 50A Feed to F15, F16, F17 (Sunroof, aerial antenna, rear wiper)
FL6 40A ABS/ASC/DSC unit
FL7 50A Feed to ignition switch
FL8 50A BC1 (X332 20) Headlight
FL9 50A DME unit and Switching unit 2-speed blower via I01135 (Relay electric engine cooling fan)
FL10 50A K416, Relay heated front screen
FL11 50A Switch unit, 2-speed blower heating & air con
FL12 50A BC1 (X332 17) Headlight
Passenger compartment fusebox
F1 30A BC1 (X332 3) power windows LH
F2 5A Steering angle sensor
F3 5A Digital clock/Outside mirror fold-in control unit
F4 5A BC1 (X254 27) Constant power
F5 5A Control module for instrument cluster/Diode (From Electronic immoblizer control unit)
F6 5A Brake light switch/Clutch switch module/Electronic immobilizer control unit EWS
F7 5A BC1 (X254 36)/Rain sensor
F8 5A Turn indicator/low beam switch
F9 5A Control module for instrument cluster
F10 5A Navigation computer/On-board monitor control unit/Radio control unit
F11 5A K119, Relay, rear washer pump/K5 Relay, front washer pump
F12 20A Ignition switch to heated seats
F13 5A Reversing light switch/CVT switch
F14 10A BC1 (X332 14) Constant power to interior/reading lamps
F15 20A Sunroof module control unit
F16 30A BC1/Rear window w/o antenna or Wave trap 1 w/ rear window antenna via K13/ Heated rear screen
F17 15A BC1 (X254 43)/Rear window wiper motor via I01142 (Relay rear wiper motor)
F18 5A Hall sensor driver & passenger buckle/Multiple restraint system (SRS system)
F19 30A BC1 (X332 7) power windows RH
F20 20A K96, Fuel pump relay 1
F21 10A Control module for instrument cluster
F22 15A On board monitor control unit/Navigation computer/Eject box
F23 20A K5 Relay front washer pump/K119 relay rear washer pump
F24 5A Electronic immobilizer control unit/Horn for antitheft alarm system EWS
F25 30A Headlight washer pump via K6
F26 10A Automatic transmission
F27 15A Radio control unit/CD Changer/Amplifier
F28 15A Volute spring/Right horn/Left horn via K2
F29 5A Heating and AC control module/Sensor interior temperature fan
F30 5A Instrument cluster
F31 30A BC1 via K4 (X253 23) Heating & A/C blower
F32 15A Front cigar lighter via I01151 (Relay cigarette lighter front)
F33 10A ABS/ASC/DSC unit
F34 10A Digital engine electronics control unit direct and via K96/Eng management main relay
F35 5A Mirror adjustment switch/Electrochrome rear view mirror/Windscreen washer jet heater/Outside mirrors
F36 5A K416, Relay Heated front screen
F37 20A BC1 (X332 1) Central locking
F38 -
F39 5A Alternator/Electric Steering control unit/hydraulic pump
F40 5A Control module for instrument panel/Switch panel/Steering angle sensor
F41 5A Park distance control unit/power to K69923, Relay fan steering control module/pump
F42 -
(MCS Only – Luggage compartment fusebox, MC/One direct battery feed)
F100 250A Feed to FL1, FL2, FL4, FL5, FL6, FL7, FL8, FL9, FL10, FL11, FL12, F1, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, K6300
For Ref.
BC1 – Body Control Unit
Located behind kick panel – drivers footwell (UK) / passengers footwell (USA / Europe)
4 Connectors:-
X332 20 pin (green)
X253 54 pin (black)
X254 54 pin (natural)
X255 54 pin (blue)
IDs for Relays / Location
K2 Fanfare Horn relay / Passenger compartment fusebox
K4 Heater-blower relay / Engine compartment fusebox
Control: BC1 (X253 23)
Switch: M30/A11
K5 Relay washer pump front / Behind passenger compartment fusebox
K6 Relay Headlight washer / Passenger compartment fusebox
K13 Relay rear window defroster / Passenger compartment fusebox
Control: BC1 (X254 22)
Switch: Rear window defroster
K19 Relay AC Compressor / Engine compartment fusebox
K47 Front fog light relay / Engine compartment fusebox
Control: BC1 (X254 40)
Switch: Left fog light/Right fog light/Switch panel light
K96 Fuel pump relay / Passenger compartment fusebox
Control: A6000 (X60004 24)
Switch: M2
K104 Relay auxiliary water pump
K119 Relay washer pump rear / Behind passenger compartment fusebox
K416 Relay heated windshield
K6300 DME Relay
control: A6000 (X60004 16)
Switch: F02/F03/F04/F05
K69923 Relay fan steering control
Relay front wiper fast/slow / Engine compartment fusebox
Relay front wiper on/off / Engine compartment fusebox
Relay rear wiper / Passenger compartment fusebox
Relay cigar lighter / Passenger compartment fusebox
Body Earth Locations
E1 LH rear of engine compartment
E2 LH front of engine compartment
E3 RH front of engine compartment
E4 RH side of footwell
E5 LH door sill
E6 LH side of luggage compartment
E7 RH side of luggage compartment
E8 RH door sill
E9 LH door sill
E10 Behind LH rear window trim panel
E11 Behind RH rear window trim panel

 

Thank you for that. I will look through the owner's manual. I did finid that fuse chart online, but can't find any fuse that would be specific to the license plate lights. My 3rd brake light works, as well as the rear defroster, boot release, a rear wiper. Seems to just be the license plate lights.

 

Remove the hatch handle and check all connectors. These are also known to corrrode. I just had to have my hatch replaced due to rust behind the handle.

 

I haven't checked that yet, so I'll go do that now. Thanks a lot

 

Yes ,

They can get really corroded.




The Lens cannot seal correctly due to either someone replacing the bulb and breaking the tab on the old lens, but it holds enough to stay up but not seal. Or moisture gets behind the worn out gasket and can play havoc on the terminal connects on the wire harness which might be your problem.

The rear trunk handle.

Here is a pic.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51137074020/ES78095/





http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51247114521/




Handle in chrome, we have them in primed version also.



http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51137074020/ES78095/



The lens pop out over time due to age and then water gets in there and corrodes.



http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51247114535




Thanks

 

+1 on the corrosion, they get so bad that not only do the spades that hold the bulbs in place corrode, it ends up getting into the wiring itself. If this happens you have to basiclly replace the unit with the parts above.

Longest lasting solution & best fix I found is when you install the new parts, replace the bulbs with some kind of led replacement (for longer life than a bulb) & silicone the lenses to the base instead of using the foam gasket, the gaskets dry out and allow most if not all of the corrosion to take place.

 

He did say he tried there already. But maybe he needs to check again as well as removing the handle to see if there are issues behind it.

 

I took mine completely apart & the wires had actually corroded all the way through & seperated at w different spots.

 

+1^
The wires inside the handle are corroded.
If it's been less than 30 days from when you bought the car go back to them. In Ontario you can't certify a car without working license plate lights, which means it can't be sold. So get them to fix it... provided your laws are similar.

 

I have an R56 with this same issue. The bulb holders were so corroded I replaced the whole latch handle. However, the lights still don’t work, but the latch button does.