Temperature & fuel guages sticking

[Martin]

When starting our mini (04 - Mini One), the needles on the fuel & temperature guages drop to the bottom (eg empty) vibrate for a few seconds (making a buzzing sound) then operate properly.

Is this a common problem?
Any cures?

[duncan]

My 05 Cooper is begining to do this more often, especially when its cold.
Never really looked into it, because as you say, it works fine after, so can't tell you what causes it!

[Gorbash12346]

this indicates that the battery is weak and requires a recharge or replace if you do short journeys without giving the car enough time for the alternator to fully recharge the battery this will cause this so i'd look at taking it out for a long run or charging it

[duncan]

Ah-hah!

Yes, thats pretty much how I've been driving the car lately.
Mile to work, sit for 12 hours, mile home.

Time for a wee drive tomorrow then :)

[KenL]

My 2002 MINI did this (central speedo only) on cold mornings. The low charged battery makes sense as batteries struggle when the temperature drops.

[Martin]

Thanks - would make sense - other half only "nips" around town most days - time for a good Sunday run.

[Mark R]

I'd read that the car does this to reset the gauges as there is no set minimum point for them.

[KenL]

quote:Originally posted by Mark R

I'd read that the car does this to reset the gauges as there is no set minimum point for them.


Who told you that, sounds like an old "dealer's" tale :p

[Mark R]

quote:Originally posted by KenL


quote:Originally posted by Mark R

I'd read that the car does this to reset the gauges as there is no set minimum point for them.


Who told you that, sounds like an old "dealer's" tale :p


It's in one of the FAQs on MINI2

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_faults_fixes#faq_faq_shaking_needl e

[The Dogfather]

Mine did this as well, I checked the battery as couple of time and it was fully charged everytime.

Its just character

[Burple]

quote:[i]

Its just character


Heh.. that's like Microsh@ft saying "It's not a bug, it's a 'feature'"
:clown::D:D:D

[Gorbash12346]

i'm 99% sure it is that the battery is weak

[ajamesj]

Mine does this sometimes and my battery is tip top I just put it down too the gauges resetting.

[KenL]

quote:Originally posted by ajamesj

Mine does this sometimes and my battery is tip top I just put it down too the gauges resetting.


No chance :D

Like I said, the only time mine did it was when starting the car on cold mornings. Measuring a battery's voltage is not a real test of how well the it is charged. On starting the car, a large current is drawn which will pull the voltage down, this "could" lead to unusual behaviour from an active gauge.

Regards, KenL M.Sc in Electronic Engineering :p

[3GGG]

Mine does this as well sometimes, certainly does seem to be related to how long car has been standing.

It is just the Mini shivering on a cold morning.