Right, question time. Does anyone have a copy of BMW Mini wiring diagram system (WDS) to hand? I know it's cheeky, but don't want to pay bucks on ebay for something I'll only use once. Obviously, beer tokens available.

Story behind it is this....
I've purchased a set of BMW Mini Cooper switches from ebay, the ones from the centre of the dash near the bottom that control leccy windows, f & r fogs, door locks, and in some cases TC. I was luckily enough to get the plug and about an inch and a half of loom, so trying to find out which wire connects to each switch. I could do this with a multimeter, but a) I haven't got mine to hand, and b) this way's probably quicker!

I understand the switches return to centre once pushed up or down, so would have to use relays. I'm no stranger to car electrics, so I can't see a problem doing this.

I remember seeing this done on a seven-esque car a while back, but can't remember who did it, or what the outcome was. I have done a search, but can't find anything. Am I being silly and making things up, or something else?

As always, any information is greatly received and help always appreciated!

[Edited on 12/5/09 by Charlie_Zetec]

That was me, I replaced the BMW switch pack for toggle switches due to the fact that the switches themselves are all different resistances. One is as low as about 2ohms and others are mega ohms. I decided it'd be alot easier just to replace the switches and keep the cover.

Original Thread

I know its too late for you now but if anyone else wants one I have 2 of the mini switch covers for sale, I was going to put them on ebay.

Ah, very interesting. I never saw them in the process of that thread, just in pics of the completed article on the dash.

So you reckon it's too big a job to use the standard switches? Bit annoying, as I spent good money on the switches from ebay! Well, £30. But it's still money I could've better spent elsewhere. Luckily, the guy I bought them from also threw in a backup set, minus the fascia (just the switch unit circuitboard and switches). Could I change the relevant components around to ensure they've all got the same resistance ratings, and go from there do you think?

Just out of curiosity, what have you got your switches running on the dash? I've currently got standard sierra column and switches, as IVA has to be carried out. But guessing i can run side light and main beam through mini switches, as long as they're correctly labelled?

Bit annoyed now as feel I should've done more research. But still, could've been worse!

working from left to right

on-off-on = side lights - off - headlights
on-off = Rear fog light
on-off = Blank
on-off = Ignition
on-off = Fuel pump
on-off = Engine start


The MINI switches are pretty easy to take apart as the cover's only just clipped on. There are 12 little pressure pads soldered onto a pcb so you're very limited with what you can do. Also the pins aren't in any particular order so all in all its a bit of a pain.

You may want to play with the multimeter just to see if you can work anything out. I gave up very early on, I did have all of the resistance values and pin arangements written down at some point but binned it as I figured I'd never need it.