Saturday, March 15, 2014
How to Install Fog Lights in a 2005 Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper was an iconic British automobile for much of the second half of the 20th century. Its small size was both economical and fuel efficient, leading it to be compared favorably to its rival, the Volkswagen Beetle. The Mini Cooper became popular in the U.S. around the turn of the 21st century, and it has a devoted set of followers. The 2005 Mini Cooper came standard with fog lights, which periodically will need to have new bulbs installed. This repair is straightforward and easy to do.
Instructions
- 1
Park your Mini Copper someplace flat, level and well lit. Set the parking brake and let the car cool down for 15 to 20 minutes.
2Crawl under the front bumper and look directly behind the fog light lens for the inner fog light assembly. There are only two functioning parts to the assembly, a wiring harness and the bulb in a socket.
3Unplug the harness by squeezing the base of the plug and pulling it out of the socket. Reach in and grasp the bulb. Give it a half turn to the left and pull it free from the socket.
4Insert the new bulb an secure it in the socket. Be caul not to overtwist it during installation. Plug the harness back in.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Mini Cooper Alignment Specs
The British Motor Company (BMC) introduced the Classic Mini in England in 1959, amidst the fuel shortage caused by Suez Canal crisis. The approximately 10,000 Classic Minis were sold in the United States from 1960 to 1967, before BMC removed the line from the U.S. market. BMC eventually became part of the Rover group, which is owned by BMW. In 2002, BMW introduced the new MINI Cooper, based on the Classic Mini, to the U.S market. The alignment specs are the same for all trims of the 2010 MINI Cooper, including the convertible, but the same specs do not apply to the MINI Clubman, Countryman or John Cooper Works (JCW).
Caster
The caster angle is the measurement of the slope of the steering pivot, with vertical being zero. However, the caster angle is not adjustable on the front end or rear end of the 2010 MINI Cooper because it is a front-wheel-drive vehicle with a fixed rear axle. If the caster is misaligned on either the front or rear, it is more than likely due to a bent or otherwise damaged wheel or axle and will require more extensive repairs.
Camber
The camber angle is the measurement of the way that a wheel tilts when viewed from the front or rear of a vehicle. If the top of a wheel tilts inward, the wheel has a negative camber. If the top of a wheel tilts outward, the wheel has a positive camber. For the front end of the 2010 MINI Cooper, the camber angle should be set at -0.5 degrees, but it can range by 0.42 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.5 degrees. For the rear end, the camber angle should be set at -1.75 degrees, but it can range by 0.08 degrees in either direction.
Toe-in
Toe-in is the measurement of the angle of the wheel in relation to the centerline of the vehicle when viewed from the top of the vehicle. Toe-in is given in positive degrees or inches and means that the front of a wheel is angled slightly inward toward the vehicles centerline. For the front end of the 2010 MINI Cooper, the toe-in should be set at +0.2 degrees, but it can range by 0.07 degrees in either direction, with a cross tolerance of 0.5 degrees. For the rear end, the toe-in should be set at 0.4 degrees, but can range 0.07 degrees in either direction.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Mini Cooper Windows Wont Close
Problems with the windows on Mini Coopers are not uncommon. Several issues have been reported with the motors on the window burning out and leaving the window stranded in whatever position it was last in. There are a number of solutions to the problem which you can try yourself before taking the car to the dealer which may be useful, particularly if it is not under warranty. You can recognize a problem when the window stops dipping when you open the door.
Instructions
Reset the Window Position Sensor
- 1
Put in the key and turn the ignition on but leave the engine off.
2Hold the window button in the up position for 10 or more seconds.
3Open the door to make sure the window closes correctly and test the window for normal operations. Dipping of the window is the small drop down when you open the door and the small jump up when you close it again. If the window still does not work then move on to check the fuse.
Check the Fuse
- 4
Open the fuse box. You can find it using the Minis owners manual.
5Remove the fuse for the windows.
6Check the fuse and replace if needed.
7Test the windows for proper operation. If they are still not working then check the motor connection.
Check the Window Motor Connection
- 8
Turn the engine off and remove the key.
9Close the door while sitting in the drivers seat.
10Tap on the door firmly with a closed fist just above the speaker.
11Test the windows for proper operation. If this does not work then take the Mini to a repair shop to have the motor replaced or replace the motor yourself.