Interior Lighting

Interior Lighting


The vehicle interior lighting of the MINI is controlled via the Body Control Module (BC1) and features the following lights:

- Interior lamp
- Luggage compartment lamp
- Glove Box Lighting
- Ashtray Lighting
- Map reading lamps (Option)
- Sun visor vanity lamps (Option)

Purpose of the System
The interior lighting is automatically activated from the door contacts, tailgate switch, remote key and the crash inertia switch, and can be controlled manually from the switch on the interior light unit.

The BC1 is encoded to operate the interior lights in either Soft On/Soft Off or Instant On/Instant Off. In Soft On/Soft Off the interior lights are switched on and off gradually, giving a soft effect. In Instant On/Instant Off the lights are switch on and off instantly. When the soft on/off feature of the interior lights is active, the BC1 controls the interior light output and map light outputs using pulse width modulation to alter the intensity of the light output, this applies to all operating modes except manual control via the interior light switch.

Three different modes of operation are possible:

- Automatic Control Mode
- ON/OFF Mode
- Permanent OFF Mode

System Components
Interior Lighting is controlled through four lighting circuits. Three circuits are BC1 controlled, the fourth, Ashtray Lighting, is controlled via the External Light Switch.





BC1
The BC1 based on its inputs controls the output of the interior lighting through pulse width modulated voltage. All decisions regarding interior light availability are made in the processing of the BC1. The BC1 controls interior light on time and shut-off to conserve battery power.

Principle of Operation
Automatic Control Mode
A number of control conditions apply when the interior lights are in the automatic mode. The interior lights can be on for several different time periods depending on the trigger source. The OFF conditions are only delayed by the ramp down duration (2.6 seconds).
On Conditions -16 Minutes
- One or more doors are opened
- Tailgate is opened
- Inertia switch triggered with ignition in position 1 or 2
- MRS4 System triggered
On Conditions - 20 Seconds
- External unlock (either with the key or remote transmitter)
- Ignition switched to position 0 from 1
On Conditions -10 Seconds
- External remote transmitter lock with vehicle already locked and alarm armed (Locating feature).
Off Conditions
- External lock (either with the key or remote transmitter)
- If any door or tailgate is open for more than 16 minutes
- Inertia switch reset
- 16 minutes after the last valid on condition
- Interior light switch pressed when interior lights are on
- All doors and tailgate shut with ignition status either on position 1 or 2 (If the interior lights are not activated by the interior light switch)
- All doors and tailgate shut with the ignition in the 0 position (delay time = 20 seconds)

When in automatic mode the newest request for action will over-ride the current state. Also, the power saving mode (16 minutes) will be cancelled when all of the doors or the tailgate are shut or if any other valid ON/OFF signal is received.

Interior Light Switch (ON/OFF Mode)
The interior light switch can be used to turn the interior lights ON and OFF. The interior light switch will operate at all times, except when the alarm is armed. If the interior light switch is used to turn on the interior light, the light stays on for 16 minutes, regardless of the state or change of state of the ignition switch. The interior light will fade off when the vehicle is externally locked, after this the interior light control will be in the "automatic" mode again.

Permanent Off Mode
The interior light output will always be able to assume permanent OFF mode. Pressing the interior light switch and holding it for more than 5 seconds will put the interior light (and map light if coded) into the permanent OFF mode, this is confirmed with a short flash of the interior light.

In permanent OFF mode, all on conditions except momentary interior light switch operations are ignored. To return the interior lights to the automatic mode press the interior light switch again and hold for 5 seconds. If the interior lights are in permanent OFF mode, triggering of the inertia switch from ignition position 1 returns the interior light to the automatic control mode.

The map reading lights will also be able to assume permanent OFF mode if coded.