So, this morning I agreed to drive my girlfriend to the subway, and I went to start my 2003 Mini Cooper (with only 4200 miles) and a couple of things happened:

1. The wipers and lights did not work when I first tried them. I believe I turned the ignition off and then back on and this remedied this problem.
2. After the wipers/lights started to work, I noticed as I was driving that the automatic climate control was dead. We got to the subway and I again turned the ignition off and then back on and this remedied this problem.

Has anyone ever had this problem? It's been raining a lot over the last 24 hours, but that really shouldn't have any affect on such a new car. I'm going to call the dealer, but I don't think it's going to really help.

Thanks.

 

Yes it has but only to my AUTO A/C. Wish I knew what caused it.

 

Right after I got my S with auto AC I had one problem with it. I tried to adjust some things and got confused, only had had the car one day. It started throwing codes in the temp window!!! It wouldn't turn off and then wouldn't turn on. Then the heater turned on. Then back to AC!! Then it wouldn't cut off!!! WHAT THE ???????????? I parked it, went into work and called the dealer. They told me that they would check and call me back. I posted here and someone said unhook the battery to reset everything. I went out to the car and it had reset and I've never had another problem. The dealer called back and had never heard of it!!!

 

I'd check the condition of the battery. If it is getting weak the fancy 'lectricals can act wierd. If your battery is starting to go and not holding a charge you may be getting just enough to turn over while causing other stuff to go haywire....but then you drive a while and get a full charge in...until next time.

get the battery checked. any pepboys or autozone will do it for free. they may not be able to FIND the battery, but once you point it out they can usually attach the tester


if battery is good you must have a ground someplace and as you suspect it could be water related. Not a good thing cuz they can be a ***** to find but I'd starty by checking for damp carpet under the dash....of course if you've done any mods like adding your own lites or replacing sound head etc....another good place to start. Then check all external lites ... water inside the lens will eventually find its way to the socket.

had both these problems with my '79. add to that the need to occasionally recharge the system with factory aproved Lucas smoke and you have extra fun....

 

Thanks for all the replies. :smile: I'm hoping it was just a fluke, though I think the battery issue seems like a possible culprit. I doubt anything is leaking after only 4000 miles, and everything is dry as a bone inside. I'll check the headlights, though, as maybe those are leaking.

 

Do you have anything installed in the car that places an abnormal electric load on the engine? My IceLink Plus causes all interior electrics to fail if it's hot. After a few minutes of driving, everything comes back to life.

 

No, everything is bone stock.

 

I've got an 03 MC and every once in a while when I start her the climate control does not turn on. Wouldn't have thought about checking the battery, but now I will!
Thanks!

 

Headlights are fine so maybe I'll have the battery checked. Can't imagine it would be the battery at only 4200 miles and less than 3 years old. It wasn't driven very much (I got it 3 weeks ago at 3300 miles), so maybe it could be battery is on its way out.