Hello all!

New 2002 R50 Cooper owner here.


Liquid yellow!

I have the typical electrical issue that I've seen on these forums, and among st the inter webs all surrounding the early R50s.

Water drips in (I have yet to find where, as the sunroof drains all drain well and are hooked up) very slightly under the passenger footwell. The bottom plugs to the BC1 are ever-so corroded. Just enough to do two things as of now:

- My emergency lights will come on randomly. Goes off when pressed.
(the emergency light button does not activate, just the lights)

- My passenger window will automatically lower itself 2 inches. Randomly.

So far: I took apart the BC1 and dried it. I cleaned the corrosion and I sealed it up with Dow Corning sealer I like to use that resists moisture.
I then wrapped it in Poly Industrial Sheeting and vacuum sealed the bottom, and cut the top open so that the plastic cover fits over the top.

(I can get pictures tomorrow)

Is there any ideas anyone has to what else I might be able to do? I'm fine with buying another BCM/BC1 but I want to go through every check and clean.

It doesn't discourage me, I went from driving a beater Jeep Cherokee. This thing is a BLAST to drive.

Thanks guys!

 

Just start w/ a new BC1. Dealership can custom program options you might want or retain whatever it had off the factory. Sort all other issues, if any, after that by elimination.

 

would you happen to know their pricing or tendencies with programming it?

also, I'm new to Minis. does this actually sound like a BC1 issue or am I just picking at the wrong areas?

 

You have classic BC1 symptoms. Programming charges vary from 1 dealership to another. BMW/MINI specialist shops that have programming equipment tend to be lower in general. Won't hurt to shop around. Bring all your keys for pairing.

 

I installed my new BC1 and everything is working perfectly. All the symptoms are fixed and my sunroof works now! Thanks minsanity! I'll be getting new keys in the coming months.

I emailed MINIUSA and looked around but couldn't find anything. Do they make Mini Vallet keys? Like no fob but just a key with an immobilizer? I'd prefer one of those.


Also, I did an oil change (there was no plastic insert in my old oil filter, and no spring) and now I'm getting an oil light at Idle.

I used a WIX filter, which also had it's own built in screen inside of the filter that looks like the one MINIs came with. It seems as though I did nothing different? Oil level is fine too.

Can I pull the oil filter without the oil draining out to check? or does anyone else have an idea?

Thanks!

 

Also, if there is simple way to reprogram my old key to my new BC1, that would help a ton.

 

Update!

(Sorry if I'm creeping people out by talking to myself but)

My filter was upside down and not "popped" into place through the pickup at the bottom. My check engine light for my upstream 02 went away also.


Still on the hunt for a valet key though.

 

To retain your keys with remotes the info from your old BC1 needs to be pulled out with a program station and then transferred into the new BC1. If not then you will have to buy new master keys for remote functions. Valet or wallet keys should be available from the dealer and you will have to provide them with registration and drivers license to order. If you are getting a low oil warning due to the center section missing from your filter housing, you will have to replace the complete filter housing to fix this issue as the caps are no longer available. I just installed one today in a customers car due to another shop throwing it away during an oil change.

 

Alright cool, I guess I'll just have to foot the bill for a wallet key at the dealer. I have my old (failed) BC1 and my old key that I still use.