Here is the home page for the "MINI circuit"!
Here is a page with feedback from people that have installed the circuit - please read it for additional guidance.
For a different perspective on installation, check out DotBobs install write-up on CooperSpeed!
To download instructions, go here
No need to remove any trim, I simply flipped the trim piece down using the two tabs and there was plenty of 'give' on the hinge to open it. Then I suggest you do the install from the right-hand side (USA passenger side) if you kneel outside the car your hand can go up the opening where the trip panel is opened. your first finger can press the release catch while your 2nd finger can flip the clip off the connector.
I think it's easier to connect to the switch panel prior to connecting the cable to your circuit. Also, it then pays one to look at the way the car's connector and your connector differ ( cars connector is much thicker ) and helps you think about locating your connector more in the middle of the switch panel's socket (does that make sense?)
(11/13/04) Here is some pictures from Bill who "decided to be safe and NOT do it the "blind" way" ...
Read his feedback for more details
So if you are "installing blind" in a MINI with auto A/C, be sure to reach to the lower connector which is in the back of the toggle switch panel, and not the higher one ...
The MINI circuit is installed "inline" to the toggle switch panel. To achieve this, the original connector into the back of the toggle switch panel must be removed, and a new connector (part of the MINI circuit) installed.
Access to the back of the toggle switch panel is tricky. One method is to remove the downtubes (described in this MINI2 FAQ) then remove the toggle switch panel. An alternative is to remove the trim piece below the toggle switch panel, and reach up behind the panel - there is enough space there to work blind, but it is not easy!
Even if you remove the downtubes, you will need to also remove the trim piece because behind it is where the circuit will finally be located. This is because you cannot squeeze the MINI circuit through the hole behind the toggle switch panel, once it is all connected up (see this picture).
Here is a picture of the trim piece that you want to remove - it is held by one torx screw, and some clips:
Here the trim piece is removed:
Next you need to reach up behind the toggle switch panel, and feel for the connector - you can follow the wire bundle to find it. I find it easiest to reach from the (USA) driver side of the car (but don't hit your head on the steering wheel!)
The original connector is latched into the back of the toggle switch panel; a retaining bump on the back of the connector must be pushed down to allow a latching clip to be slid over it; this will release the connector from the toggle switch panel:
Once the original connector is removed, it can be connected onto the MINI circuit (note that this picture shows the "version 1" circuit, slightly different to the final design). The connector can be fitted many ways, but only one is correct! You must have the wire bundle exiting from the side closest to the edge of the circuit board, and you must have all 18 pins connected.
Turn the ignition on; there is no need to start the car but you need to turn the key to position 2 so that the ignition is on. There is a small light on the MINI circuit - if you have the connection correct the light will come on for three seconds then turn off. If this happens - great! Turn the car off and continue!
If the LED on the MINI circuit does not come on, check the connector and make sure it is the right way up and no pins are missed.
UPDATE (March 10, 2004): Here is a circuit being tested in GBMINI; you can see the glowing red LED:
Now you want to connect the new 18 way connector that comes with the MINI circuit into the back of the toggle switch panel. This is the most difficult part because you cannot see what you are doing (you can only feel) and because if you are not careful you can mis-align the connector (I could not buy a connector that matches the proprietary design of the toggle switch panel).
The supplied connector has a side marked "UP"; that side must be "facing the sky" when the connector is plugged into the toggle switch panel. (6/14/2004: New connector!) The connector naturally aligns to the right of the opening on the panel - it cannot be mis-aligned unless it is forced!
Here the connector is correctly connected into the back of the toggle switch panel:
IMPORTANT: If have not removed the downtubes, be EXTREMELY gentle when trying to connect to the back of the toggle switch panel. The pins on the back of the panel can be easily bent and will be difficult to straighten - if this happens, you will be forced to replace the toggle switch panel!
If the LED does not come on, you have probably connected upside-down into the back of the toggle switch panel! Don't worry - if you did the earlier test before connecting to the toggle switch panel, the MINI circuit should be protecting your fuse. Just turn the car off, correct the connector and check again.
If the LED correctly lights then turns off, now check if the connector is correctly aligned. Hold the door toggle UP (=UNLOCK) and confirm that the doors unlock. Keep the toggle held up and watch the LED on the MINI circuit - after five seconds it should begin to flash, until you release the toggle (if you keep the toggle held for a really long time, the LED will start to flash quickly!)
UPDATE (May 7, 2004): If you mis-align the connector into the back of the toggle switch panel, the switches will do strange things - for example the door unlock might lock the car! If the toggles do strange things, turn off the car and re-check the connector alignment.
You need the ignition on position 2. It is also a good idea to have the windows open, so that you can confirm when you have successfully enabled the auto-up function.
To enable (or "unlock") the auto-up function for either window, first hold the DOOR toggle UP (=UNLOCK) for more than five seconds, until the LED starts to flash. Now, while still holding the DOOR toggle up, double click the window up toggle for the driver or passenger side, as appropriate. You should see the window auto-close completely, confirming that you have successfully enabled auto-up for that window. If you wish, you can enable both windows (you do not need to wait for the auto-up to complete on one window before enabling the other, and you do not need to release and re-close the DOOR toggle).
If at any time you wish to disable (or "lock") the auto-up function - perhaps to stop children in the car playing around - then simply hold the door toggle DOWN (=LOCK) for more than five seconds (until the LED starts to flash) then again while still holding the toggle, double click either window up toggle to disable auto-up for that window. You can freely choose to disable and enable auto-up on either window as often as you wish and the latest setting will be remembered (even if the battery is disconnected).
REMEMBER: The auto-up feature is activated by a quick double click up of the toggle - the same as when you enabled the function (but you don't need to hold the door toggle once the feature has been enabled once - the circuit never forgets!)
UPDATE (March 10, 2004): If you have a garage door opener powered by a 9V battery and connected with a flying lead, the MINI circuit can come with a mating connector to make installation easy and solder-free - you just need to mechanically jam the switch always on and have the MINI circuit turn the 9V power on/off. This picture shows two 9V connectors mated together:
UPDATE (May 7, 2004): This week I connected someones 12V garage opener ("Genie" brand) to a MINI circuit - these pictures show how I did it:
If you have ordered a MINI circuit with the track mode DSC control, this function is initially not active. This means that the car is "normal" with an active DSC.
To enable track mode DSC, hold the door toggle UP (=UNLOCK) for five seconds (same as for enabling auto-up windows) and, while still holding it, click the DSC toggle once, then release both toggles. If you were successful you should see the DSC light change state a short time later. To confirm function, turn the car off, then turn it on again - after a short delay the DSC should be disabled (and the DSC light will come on).
When you wish to disable track mode DSC, hold the door toggle DOWN (=LOCK) for more than five seconds, then click the DSC toggle. Then turn the car off then on again to confirm that the DSC remains on (and the DSC light remains off).
REMEMBER: When "track mode DSC" is enabled, "DSC" is turned off when the car is started. For normal car operation, ensure "track mode DSC" is disabled.
From my views of the interior of GBMINI, there is no metal in the area under the toggle switch panel that could cause a short-circuit to the MINI circuit, but if you are worried you could wrap the circuit in duct-tape to insulate it. The MINI circuit is supplied with a water-protection coat, but that will not protect from any sharp metal cutting into the coating and shorting to the circuitry.
Here is a page with feedback from people that have installed the circuit - please read it for additional guidance.
For a different perspective on installation, check out DotBobs install write-up on CooperSpeed!
To download instructions, go here
11/27/2004: Garage Opener Installation
See feedback from Zach which discusses installing his garage opener remote in the headliner of the MINI to improve the range (I put him in contact with Scott, who had done this too)
10/25/2004: Installation with AUX GAUGES
See feedback from JeffM which discusses the need to remove the accessory gauges to install the MINI circuit ...
10/31/2004: Installation in an '05 MINI
Here is a great detailed description from Murray who installed the MINI circuit in his '05 MINI:No need to remove any trim, I simply flipped the trim piece down using the two tabs and there was plenty of 'give' on the hinge to open it. Then I suggest you do the install from the right-hand side (USA passenger side) if you kneel outside the car your hand can go up the opening where the trip panel is opened. your first finger can press the release catch while your 2nd finger can flip the clip off the connector.
I think it's easier to connect to the switch panel prior to connecting the cable to your circuit. Also, it then pays one to look at the way the car's connector and your connector differ ( cars connector is much thicker ) and helps you think about locating your connector more in the middle of the switch panel's socket (does that make sense?)
(11/13/04) Here is some pictures from Bill who "decided to be safe and NOT do it the "blind" way" ...
Read his feedback for more details
5/24/2004: A warning about "installing blind"!
Today I installed a MINI circuit in Ricks MINI; I removed the trim piece and reached behind to find and remove the connector. It was harder than normal to reach and remove - when I got it out I discovered why: I had managed to remove the (very similar) connector to the auto A/C instead!So if you are "installing blind" in a MINI with auto A/C, be sure to reach to the lower connector which is in the back of the toggle switch panel, and not the higher one ...
3/31/2004: IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION!
Enabling & disabling functions uses the door toggle, holding it for 5s to put the MINI circuit into "program" mode. To enable a function you hold the door toggle UP (think unlock=enable); to disable a function hold the door toggle DOWN (think lock=disable).
And keep the toggle held up or down while clicking the other toggle to indicate which function is to be enabled or disabled.
Installation details!
In the following, click any picture to see a bigger version. You can also go to the Gallery to see all the pictures.
The MINI circuit is installed "inline" to the toggle switch panel. To achieve this, the original connector into the back of the toggle switch panel must be removed, and a new connector (part of the MINI circuit) installed.
Access to the back of the toggle switch panel is tricky. One method is to remove the downtubes (described in this MINI2 FAQ) then remove the toggle switch panel. An alternative is to remove the trim piece below the toggle switch panel, and reach up behind the panel - there is enough space there to work blind, but it is not easy!
Even if you remove the downtubes, you will need to also remove the trim piece because behind it is where the circuit will finally be located. This is because you cannot squeeze the MINI circuit through the hole behind the toggle switch panel, once it is all connected up (see this picture).
Here is a picture of the trim piece that you want to remove - it is held by one torx screw, and some clips:
Here the trim piece is removed:
Next you need to reach up behind the toggle switch panel, and feel for the connector - you can follow the wire bundle to find it. I find it easiest to reach from the (USA) driver side of the car (but don't hit your head on the steering wheel!)
The original connector is latched into the back of the toggle switch panel; a retaining bump on the back of the connector must be pushed down to allow a latching clip to be slid over it; this will release the connector from the toggle switch panel:
Once the original connector is removed, it can be connected onto the MINI circuit (note that this picture shows the "version 1" circuit, slightly different to the final design). The connector can be fitted many ways, but only one is correct! You must have the wire bundle exiting from the side closest to the edge of the circuit board, and you must have all 18 pins connected.
Stop and Test! (#1)
At this point, you should test that the original connector is correct onto the MINI circuit. If you get it wrong you risk blowing fuse F40 in the car, which will disable many features (such as full beam headlights!).
Turn the ignition on; there is no need to start the car but you need to turn the key to position 2 so that the ignition is on. There is a small light on the MINI circuit - if you have the connection correct the light will come on for three seconds then turn off. If this happens - great! Turn the car off and continue!
If the LED on the MINI circuit does not come on, check the connector and make sure it is the right way up and no pins are missed.
UPDATE (March 10, 2004): Here is a circuit being tested in GBMINI; you can see the glowing red LED:
Now you want to connect the new 18 way connector that comes with the MINI circuit into the back of the toggle switch panel. This is the most difficult part because you cannot see what you are doing (you can only feel) and because if you are not careful you can mis-align the connector (I could not buy a connector that matches the proprietary design of the toggle switch panel).
The supplied connector has a side marked "UP"; that side must be "facing the sky" when the connector is plugged into the toggle switch panel. (6/14/2004: New connector!) The connector naturally aligns to the right of the opening on the panel - it cannot be mis-aligned unless it is forced!
Here the connector is correctly connected into the back of the toggle switch panel:
IMPORTANT: If have not removed the downtubes, be EXTREMELY gentle when trying to connect to the back of the toggle switch panel. The pins on the back of the panel can be easily bent and will be difficult to straighten - if this happens, you will be forced to replace the toggle switch panel!
Stop and Test! (#2)
Now the MINI circuit should be correctly installed. Turn the car on again (to ignition 2) and check that the LED on the MINI circuit again turns on for three seconds then turns off.
If the LED does not come on, you have probably connected upside-down into the back of the toggle switch panel! Don't worry - if you did the earlier test before connecting to the toggle switch panel, the MINI circuit should be protecting your fuse. Just turn the car off, correct the connector and check again.
If the LED correctly lights then turns off, now check if the connector is correctly aligned. Hold the door toggle UP (=UNLOCK) and confirm that the doors unlock. Keep the toggle held up and watch the LED on the MINI circuit - after five seconds it should begin to flash, until you release the toggle (if you keep the toggle held for a really long time, the LED will start to flash quickly!)
UPDATE (May 7, 2004): If you mis-align the connector into the back of the toggle switch panel, the switches will do strange things - for example the door unlock might lock the car! If the toggles do strange things, turn off the car and re-check the connector alignment.
Setup time!
Your MINI circuit should now be successfully installed. But it won't (yet) do its auto-up trick on either window! You need to choose which window(s) you want to have auto-close, and enable the circuit to function for you.
You need the ignition on position 2. It is also a good idea to have the windows open, so that you can confirm when you have successfully enabled the auto-up function.
To enable (or "unlock") the auto-up function for either window, first hold the DOOR toggle UP (=UNLOCK) for more than five seconds, until the LED starts to flash. Now, while still holding the DOOR toggle up, double click the window up toggle for the driver or passenger side, as appropriate. You should see the window auto-close completely, confirming that you have successfully enabled auto-up for that window. If you wish, you can enable both windows (you do not need to wait for the auto-up to complete on one window before enabling the other, and you do not need to release and re-close the DOOR toggle).
If at any time you wish to disable (or "lock") the auto-up function - perhaps to stop children in the car playing around - then simply hold the door toggle DOWN (=LOCK) for more than five seconds (until the LED starts to flash) then again while still holding the toggle, double click either window up toggle to disable auto-up for that window. You can freely choose to disable and enable auto-up on either window as often as you wish and the latest setting will be remembered (even if the battery is disconnected).
REMEMBER: The auto-up feature is activated by a quick double click up of the toggle - the same as when you enabled the function (but you don't need to hold the door toggle once the feature has been enabled once - the circuit never forgets!)
Optional features!
If you have ordered a MINI circuit with the garage door opener control, you will need to connect the circuit to your opener and test it. The opener is triggered by the MINI circuit after holding the door toggle up or down for more than half a second - if the two are correctly connected together, this should cause your garage door to open.
IMPORTANT: On some MINIs, holding the door toggle up causes windows/sunroof to open; if you have such a MINI hold the door toggle down to avoid this!
UPDATE (March 10, 2004): If you have a garage door opener powered by a 9V battery and connected with a flying lead, the MINI circuit can come with a mating connector to make installation easy and solder-free - you just need to mechanically jam the switch always on and have the MINI circuit turn the 9V power on/off. This picture shows two 9V connectors mated together:
UPDATE (May 7, 2004): This week I connected someones 12V garage opener ("Genie" brand) to a MINI circuit - these pictures show how I did it:
If you have ordered a MINI circuit with the track mode DSC control, this function is initially not active. This means that the car is "normal" with an active DSC.
To enable track mode DSC, hold the door toggle UP (=UNLOCK) for five seconds (same as for enabling auto-up windows) and, while still holding it, click the DSC toggle once, then release both toggles. If you were successful you should see the DSC light change state a short time later. To confirm function, turn the car off, then turn it on again - after a short delay the DSC should be disabled (and the DSC light will come on).
When you wish to disable track mode DSC, hold the door toggle DOWN (=LOCK) for more than five seconds, then click the DSC toggle. Then turn the car off then on again to confirm that the DSC remains on (and the DSC light remains off).
REMEMBER: When "track mode DSC" is enabled, "DSC" is turned off when the car is started. For normal car operation, ensure "track mode DSC" is disabled.
Tidy up!
When everything is working, you should tuck the MINI circuit away and re-install the trim piece. You can check GadgetGavs install where he used velcro to attach the MINI circuit and his garage door opener to the back of the trim piece.
From my views of the interior of GBMINI, there is no metal in the area under the toggle switch panel that could cause a short-circuit to the MINI circuit, but if you are worried you could wrap the circuit in duct-tape to insulate it. The MINI circuit is supplied with a water-protection coat, but that will not protect from any sharp metal cutting into the coating and shorting to the circuitry.
Downloads
I supply printed installation instructions with each MINI circuit; you can also download the instructions (2.4MB) here and the '05 update (600KB) here; AutoFrontFogs install instructions (600KB) are here
