Rear luggage lamp flashing

[Rubatoguy]

I have a 2006 Mini cooper S, and the rear luggage lamp keeps flashing on and off rapidly while driving. Is there a reason for this behavior?

Todd

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Hello Todd - by rear luggage lamp, are you talking about the interior light in the back?

[Rubatoguy]

The light on the passenger side below the parcel shelf. It goes on when you lift the rear hatch.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Is your MINI a hardtop or a cabrio? When you open the rear hatch, does the light flicker like it does when you drive? If so, it flashing makes me believe there is an issue with the connection or the bulb is on its way out. I'd suggest checking the connection to make sure it's not loose. If it seems fine and there is no loose connection it may be time to replace the bulb. I do know this is the same bulb used in your glove box and even your license plate light. So you can also grab the bulb from one of those places and swap it with the one in your luggage compartment to see if the flicker follows with the bulb. This may help you diagnose if there is a different issue at foot. Let me know what you find.

Luggage compartment lamp bulb here - 2006 Mini Cooper S Hatchback - Lights and Lenses - Page 4

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I would suspect the switch, wherever that may be on the rear hatch. It might be getting flakey, or it might not be making good contact with the hatch when the hatch is closed.

--DD

[Rubatoguy]

It is a hardtop and the blinking has a constant delay. It is not a random flash. It blinks at about a 1 second per flash rate. I had replaced the bulb.

But it is simple to replace the bulb again and see if that does anything.

Todd

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

So, you replaced the bulb because it was flashing and the replacement bulb (current one) is flashing just like the one you replaced? Or did the flash occur after you replaced the bulb? You might have a bad connection with the actual housing for the bulb. I'd agree with Dave to also check the hatch switch on the boot door. It is weird that it is a very consistent flash rate, but I'd still check it. You might have a ground/shorting issue at foot.

If you don't see or find anything obvious, go to this tech article here: MINI Cooper Lens and Bulb Replacement | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article. Scroll to the bottom where it says comments and suggestions. Post a comment and be very detailed about the issue. Nick might also have some good input on how to diagnose the issue.