Ok, so I went slowly/carefully through the install for the retrofit kit for fog lights.

A pain in the rear, but it is installed. Now I went to start the car, and nothing. Everything else works, gauges/etc. Everything except it won't try to start.

I've checked and rechecked where I was messing around. Cleaned connections to battery, and to fuse box. Relays/fuses look fine.

Any ideas!??!?!

 

OEM directions call for tapping power from the fuse box in the engine. Make sure the connection there is solid. Also, if you removed the BCM connector to tap into the high beam circuit, make sure that's solid as well.
edit: could be the clutch safety switch - that's one item that would fit the scenario

 

clutch safety switch makes perfect sense. but very strange to just happen out of the blue when I disconnect the battery. Odd. Any way to check that?

 

I'm wondering if the battery is pooched.

Just some odd behavior. When turning on/off ignition, sometimes lights will come on, sometimes they won't. Odd.

 

Just tried jump starting the mini, same results. Odd.

 

whoops

wrong topic

 

Already programmed. NCS Expert.

OEM Fog retrofit.

 

Do you have a voltmeter? Check the battery voltage? I'm not a big fan of coincidence. But if you checked everything you touched...

 

Agreed. 12v at the battery, and 12v at the fuse panel

Also, window is green on battery.

 

All fixed! Turns out I left the ground loose.

 

Damn, almost mentioned that, but didn't think there'd be a reason to remove the ground. So it was loose - enough juice to power the lights, but not enough electrons flowing to goose the starter?

 

Exactly. There is a ground lug built into the harness just above the right fog light. Apparently I put the nut back on, but never properly tightened it down.

 

Great to hear you got it fixed.

Here are the instructions:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t_Retrofit.pdf

#5 on page 4 easy to miss.

What year is your MINI?

 

Those are the instructions that I used. I performed the step, but inadvertently left the nut finger tight, instead of snugging it down. That was the only problem.

My R53 is a 2003, and despite what the websites say, the retrofit kit will fit pre2004 cars.

 

Yes, I knew some people were trying to fit this to pre 2004 , according to the ETK and MINI it 7/2004- . But have not seen it done. You were the first to do this ?

That's great news

 

Only problem I've encountered is that the green indicator light does not illuminate. I'm guessing that is just a bulb out, as it's a used switchpack from the UK.

Would like to figure out how to fix that.

 

Great that you go this to work.

You are talking about the toggle bank pack for the green light:



Might need coding for that to work.

 

Coding is complete, love NCS Expert. Think it's just an led out.