Comments on: An Alarming Day

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Wed, 04 May 2005 23:19:00 +0000

With the help of a colleague at work, I disassembled my old yellow-tip low washer fluid stalk.
It is possible to remove the yellow end, but I doubt that you could buy the red end from anyone; MINI are only likely to carry the part as a complete assembly.
The other problem is that the LED inside is still yellow. We tried putting a red filter over the end, but it still shone yellow when it was on (although admittedly most of the time it would not be on, then it would look red).

By: CooperDaze

CooperDaze — Tue, 03 May 2005 23:46:12 +0000

Would like advice on the low wiper fluid light conversion, too!

I really don’t like the yellow. I have a black/grey interior w/a Purple Haze so think
red or plain silver would be best.

Anyway, to only swap out the end of the stick??
Do you think any current owners would be interested who maybe have red? (& prefer yellow, if they have a LY car ,for instance)
Or was red just for alarms?? (so no one having would want to trade?)

Any info appreciated!

By: GSKChicago

GSKChicago — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 14:29:20 +0000

Interesting. I never got a catalog for my alarm system, or if I did, it is sitting in my glove box collecting dust probably.

Interesting though, but like you, I rarely, if ever, unlock while standing next to the car.

Thanks for the information though.

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 22:57:43 +0000

To quote from the “manual” that came with the alarm this time (no paperwork came with #2s alarm):
if the indicator light goes out when the car is unlocked – no attempt was made to tamper with the vehicle;
if the indicator light continues to flash for approx 2s after the car has been unlocked, at attempt has been made to tamper with the vehicle

Only trouble with that is the “2s” bit – I unlock my car from a distance away, and can’t see if the light keeps on flashing or not.

By: GSKChicago

GSKChicago — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 22:26:21 +0000

What kind of visual indication is given if the car was tampered with, but nobody actually broke in? That’s interesting as I had no idea the system did that… Was not told that at the dealership upon install. Hmmm…. Look forward to your response.

Thanks!

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 21:24:08 +0000

David,
The stalk/LED is not required; it provides a visual indication that the alarm is armed, and a visual indication if any tampering was detected.
Not sure what a dealership will say about doing an install without the replacement stalk …

All the “smarts” of the alarm is done in the cars “BC1″ (body control module) – only sensors and siren are added in the kit. So the reprogramming is to make the BC1 know that it now has to do alarm functions.

By: david raistrick

david raistrick — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 18:55:32 +0000

Stupid questions:

Is the stalk required, or is it just an indicator light? Always considered it a bit ugly..;)

What does the dealer have to program, if it was self-installed? Just the chirp? or?

Anyone seen a retrofit install guide out there?

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 13:26:16 +0000

Yes, Josh – on GBMINI#3 when we had to reset the “personalities”, there was a setting for the alarm (called “indicator” or something like that). Maybe there was one on GBMINI#2 and it never got turned on.

By: Josh Wardell

Josh Wardell — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 23:31:06 +0000

The chirp is (supposedly) programmable.

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 15:41:39 +0000

Josh,
The only issue with choosing a lefthand stalk is that your MINI will be pre-wired for the righthand; you would need to find out the appropriate pin for the LED on each stalk, and make a wiring change.
Also, the alarm on GBMINI#2 did not “chirp” …