Mini CooperS

After 5 wonderful years, it is with a sad heart that I have given up my mini for a new ride. I only wish it was for a new countryman; however, Mini drug their feet (slipping the release to 2011) so I chose something new. The mini was the best car I have ever owned and I will some day own another. Here is the best image of the mini and me (and lola).

Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I pulled an engine. This was scarry to say the least. However, the part that sucked was that I was not able to actually complete the pulley install. In the instructions I was provided, a small little step was left out (which I figured out AFTER I had the engine out). I should be taken out back and beaten for not having the proper tools and trying this upgrade. Needless to say, I did not have the pulley tension tool, so I got to re-install the engine (went just fine) without the pulley upgrade. I am going to take a few more days off this week and give it another shoot (at the same time, I will drop in my new exhaust and springs).

Last week I made a business trip to Oregon, specifically Hillsboro. These trips are usually filled with long working nights, but this time I took a few minutes off to visit the mini-madness store. George, the owner, was great to chat with and like always, I walked out spending a little more then I intended. On the way are the following items: h-sport springs, miltec cat back exhaust system, 15% pulley and pulley tool. The installs will be next week.

The last step in getting the new system installed was ensuring that I got full use out of the MFSW (all six buttons ).

I have an Alpine CDA 9847 and I am using the SWI-X from PAC. I looked a few places for the instructions on how to do it and found little tid-bits here and there; however, NONE of them indicated how to track down the illusive white/red/(yellow dots) wire to tap into. Additionally, the PAC SWI-X instructions were 85% correct (took a little hacking to get the rest to work). Here is how I did it:

1. The first thing to do is make sure the PAC SWI-X works with your stereo and MFSW. I have a 2004 Mini CooperS with an Alpine CDA 9847 ~ both are compatabile, according to the PAC SWIX

2. There are only 3 wires used for the installation on the SWIX (Red = power, Black = ground, and Yellow = red/white/yellow dots). On the SWIX, remove the remaining wires and ensure they are insulated. Now the fun part is tracking down the freaking red/white/yellow dot wire.

3.The SWIX instructions are weak here, but after surfing a little and removing some insulating wrap from the steering column wire loom, I found the wire. Take off the steering column cover (there are DIY’s out there on it), once removed, looking up at the wheel from below, there are two plugs. On the left plug you will see the wire:

Once you have located the wire, you want to move back about 4 inches on the loom and make a very, very delicate slice in the wrap (BE GENTLE and use a SHARP exacto knife). Once you get about 3 inches of loom wrap off, you will have to dig a little, as the wire is in the middle.

4. Now it is easy, cut the wire, and insulate the non-steering wheel side. On the steering wheel side, connect the yellow wire from the SWIX. Connect the Ground and Power wires to get prepared for the ninja finger moves you are about to perform.

The next steps to follow are detailed in the SWIX instruction “manual”; however, there are a couple of things that are as clear as MUD in the directions. Here is the problem with the PAC SWIX instructions and the solution:

PAC Says: From Step 19 – 20, it indicates that must press and hold the button to be learned within 7 seconds of enabling the program mode.

Reality: From Step 19 – 20, once the program mode is enabled, the light is red, you MUST hit your first button to be learned while the light is still red (within 1 second or so) AND you must have the IR sender within 2 inches of the IR receiver (direct line of sight). You “might” get away with a little more distance, but not much. Once you get this cycle going, you need to complete all the button/remot clicks rather quickly (so do some finger exercises, hit the xbox with some old school street fighter, and prepare for the finger tap dancing you are about to endure).

There are a couple more things to consider:

1. SWIX Controller location – I simply placed mine in the vast cavern under the steering wheel (no pic, sorry)

2. IR Sender location – The stereo piliars (I am not sure what they call these things), but they are very easy to work with. I drilled, counter-sunk, and snaped it into location about 1 inch from the IR receiver (here is a pic):

I hope this makes it a little bit easier for you.

After 10 hours of solid works/pro-E work and 8 + hours on the CNC, the speaker grill for the Mini is completed and ready for install (once I plug the jig mount holes ).

The ensire process was somewhat documented with photos, you can find them all here: http://mini.zy3.com/gallery/v/mini_speaker_grill/