Will the green eye ever come back? and what if it does?

Modern cars are starting to have a battery function in their multi media systems. The battery is logged in when new and it monitors the battery health and level of charge as it ages. It will tell you when it's time to replace it. The green eye battery is something you tell your great-grandchildren about when they stop by in their new hovercrafts.

naw, tenspeed this life isn't so sweet would wish this level of trouble on any human being...done the world a big favor with the vasectomy, mother earth will thank me- and wild unprotected times ahead~

alls I know is the battery sounded weak from day one, now with this 'remote key' controls the entire universe, am met with a bit of trepidation, because now it can decide "I don't have enough energy to open your door" with no MANUAL control of it, am forced to call the wrecker to tow me away....that stinks!

me tom, just the slow solenoid had me wonderin' never did any testing, just slammed the schumbacher into place, now it's down to 3 and the eye has turned green again....hooray....I guess- it's an OEM from 2006, should get a few more years out you might think? nest-ce-pas?

Your batter is already 7 years old. it is very near due for replacement, anyway. The trouble is that the multi-plexed electrical system from Bosch does not like the voltage fluctuations that can come from a weak battery. I would invest in a new one very soon.

drat, MINI stuff is crazy, numbo insane expensive...the battery is OEM says MINI on it, and has a special tube for battery gasses to exit...never seen this level of fussiness- reluctantly will price this thing out, but also have the transmission level on the CVT that NO one wants to touch, not even the videos have anything good to say about the subject.

Be sure to get that hose and wire brush those terminals when you change that battery. ;)

don't need it tenspeed. This is California!....no rust. under the lid looked brand-new and frankly the notion of only having 33,000 miles means must have had a bunch of short trips--which don't allow full charge up with each use X 7 years = the current level, tho overnite seems to be okay now.

Yay, the battery is at full charge and our green eye has returned. Thanks, everybody!

Just be prepared. On average a battery loses 10% capacity per year, so your 7 year old battery is likely to be around 30% of normal capacity at the moment. It is only a matter of time. Yes, Minis are not inexpensive to keep. That is the fun of owning a German-designed, English-built piece of machinery. Things do tend to be expensive on them. Also, better to spend the money on the battery early, before it is dead, as this protects the alternator and you REALLY don't want to see the price of that. Plus, if the voltage regulator goes, the damage to other parts of the car will ASTOUND you! I have seen perfect Minis being scrapped because of the resulting damage from a dead battery killing the alternator.

Judge: IMPORTANT thing to take note of: 7 years old, and only 33,000 miles on the clock. This means one thing: Time has caught up with the timing belt! Do NOT wait. You are due, and actually overdue, to have it done. It should be done every 6 years or 60,000 miles on most cars. Most owner's manuals, though, don't give the time factor. The rubber deteriorates with the hot/cold cycles, and if that belt snaps, unless you are extremely lucky, you are buying an engine. The engine in the Mini, like most new cars, is an interference design. That belt brakes, a piston hits and valve, and it is game over. No rebuild, just replace the entire engine. Bad enough to put in a used one, you really don't want to think of the price of a new one. Including labour, that would come close to what you paid for the car, if not more.

I am an A.S.E certified mechanic, my advice take it or leave it. If your battery is over two years old, theres not much life left in it. Mini factory battery's are sealed, meaning you can't add any water. In fact mine blew out on me, one day after Mini's famous service. My advice is find either a dealer, or someone who sells Interstate Battery's. Stay outta Wal-Mart, and discount auto parts stores. Interstate does make the proper battery, they make their own. It's a lot cheaper than the dealer and will last you much, much longer.Why take a chance on a re-charged battery when for 70-80 bucks you can have peace of mind. My second choice would be a Motorcraft, if they make your size.

duly noted Mark, some of your advise has been echoed ad nauseum by myself as well. Does have a curious "vent snorkel" I've not seen anywhere else, also dual containment so no ambient conditions can penetrate...akin to Cadillac's back seat battery...man if that bugger ever caught fire....hope the upholstery more fire resistant than a kid's pair of jammies...never could make certification, too much wrenchin' and no time for studying...now it's like a moving target to stay on the latest automotive happenings...I bet you guys have a monthly publication~....welcome aboard, we always need knowledgeable people, not those who simply stand back on the sidelines and criticize, but actual competent help...you'll find that your reputation will quickly rise if you spend a whole day answering questions...good luck~ Goddamn CVT oil is $310/qt. ooof, she had to have the automatic~

I been professionally out of the business a few years now, and your right. The tech is moving faster than anything ever built. My on board computer is F.R.E.D. F%%# Redickless Electronic Device.I still try to keep up, being a Mini owner you know B.M.W. service: bring my wallet. At least the basics are the same You need electric power, fuel and compression, or the damn thing won't work. It's not so much their complicated, their too damn compact. You need little Jap. hands with little Jap fingers to work on any of this crap, even the larger cars.Anyhow I'm a few keystrokes away if anyone needs a hand. Live Long and Prosper

Note for Michael: the MINI R50 engine has a timing chain~ My MINI mechanic said the 2006 battery was "just fine" for a while~ so glad to have the $310/qt. green CVT oil replace with a common yellow CVT oil, filled the proper level and does not seem to leak...one thing on deck is the environmental air filter is a relatively easy replace, the rental agency must have rented to someone who took their smelly shoes off...hasn't showed up until the warm weather "Pine Tree" air freshener was slaughtered on the first day....oh, next payday~