OK so i have a problem with my lights diming espesially at night when everything is on. the stupid dealer said that they couldnt find a problem. but its there i bought a new battery which got rid of it for 2 days but its back does that mean that the altrinator isnt big enough or what any ideas if it is alt. issues then does anyone know where to get a higher rated one.

 

I would let your dealer know you are coming. First off, are you married? If you are that's good. Because what you do is tell them that your wife HATES DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE SHE CAN'T SEE a dammed thing because the lights are dimming. If you don't have a wife, be creative. Anyway you tell them if the dealer DOES NOT CALL YOU BACK IN AN HOUR, THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP YOUR WIFE FROM SHOWING UP AT THEIR SERVICE COUNTER.

Bonus tip: Tell them you have an 11 month old son. Tell them that DIM LIGHTS=BAD LIGHTS and is not good for emotions with wife with 11 month old son. Are you catching on yet?

Another tip: Tell them you affectionately refer to your wife as"HORMONA". If that doesn't wake up the jerks at your dealer nothing will. They should have the red carpet rolled out BEFORE YOU GET THERE. If they don't, they are stupid and are as far as I am concerned, free game for your wife. Brothers, cover your eyes 'cause from that point on, it could get down right nasty!

 

anyone ideas

 

Slight dimming is normal with a lot of electrical accessories running. The dimming is most noticeable when turning the steering wheel, since the electric power steering pump draws a lot of current when it's working hard. None of this is anything to worry about. If the lights dim considerably, to the point where seeing becomes difficult, you have other problems. The alternator in the MINI is rated at 105 amps, which is more than enough for the electrical load it would see.

If the lights flicker and dim on their own, you might have a problem in the wiring or control circuitry. If you have xenons, you could have problems with the lamp ballasts. Since the MINI has no voltmeter gauge, it's a tough call to make without test equipment. A drop of a couple volts is not uncommon at idle.

 

do you know how i can test it on my own its not real bad but very noticable and it drives me nuts

 

You would need a cheap voltmeter you can pick up at radio shack or an auto parts store. Connect it to any 12 volt source (cigaret lighter is fine) and check the voltage when you feel the lights are dim. If it's below 12 volts for any length of time with the car running, you might have a weak alternator.

 

hey thanks ill get one today

 

For sure a meter helps check the alternator/battery. But the MCS has a
fairly small battery (425CCA?), but a decent alternator...

With all of the accessories a Mini can have, the potential for
draw on the electrical system is high. Ex. if your turning the wheel
(electric steering), running the A/C, rear defroster, headlamps/fogs
and the engine is idling you are likely starting to draw energy from your
battery. Do you notice the problem is better at Rev's? If the engine is
running at a higher RPM, the alternator will crank out more energy.

Even at rev's, you might notice a slight drop but if it's major, I'd
check into it. A tester couldn't hurt anyways. You may also have a
dead-short, this will cause more drain on the electrical system. Given
the Mini's size and tight packaging. I had dead shorts on my first
car, 86 Pontiac Grand Am POS, they were a pain to diagnose...

hope this helps,

-Matt

 

Hey minicoop - I know you have a sub in there, do you have a capacitor? If not, would it help to get one so at least you stereo wouldn't be taxing the battery while at a standstill or when your amp needs to draw power for the sub?

 

ya i am going to get one i hope that it helps
but i think that it being a ground might be possible there has got to be a reason the dealer doesnt want to mess with it