So driving my JCW Roadster today, I kept hearing this high pitched whistle when I would give it gas, sounded kind of funny. I drove it normal, didn't think much about it, and then BOOM, check engine light came on (half engine) and said I could continue slowly...but I had NO Power, couldn't get the car over 25mph honestly.

I was about 50 miles from home so I start/stopped it several times in a row until it let me drive normally, the check engine light is still on, but the car isn't in "limp" mode anymore. I didn't get into boost all the way home. But anytime I took off from a light the sound could still be heard, almost thought a police car was around a few times, it sounded like a far off police siren.

Got home, put a scanner on it, had codes P1637 and P1638. I saw that they are something about throttle position but that doesn't make any sense based on my noise issues. I plan to call MINI Roadside tomorrow and have it towed to the dealership. But does anyone have any thoughts on stuff to check first?

This is a 2012 JCW Roadster with 6K on the odometer.

 

* MINI DTC P1637 (0x2B2B) - Throttle Valve Position Control, Control Deviation
* MINI DTC P1638 (0x2711 or 0x2B32) - Throttle Valve Position Control, Throttle Stuck Temporarily

Have you fired the engine with a help of a buddy and check the intake tract for loose tubes / connections?

If there's nothing obvious to be found, indeed hand it over to the dealer for them to rectify the problem.

- Erik

 

I identified the whistling as the top of my DOS snout being askew....doesn't matter now as I put the stock intake back on. Took the car around the block, didn't make it around the block before I turned around and went back home. Sounds like crap and runs like crap still.....almost sounds like when you used to ride a bicycle as a kid with a card stuck in the spoke.

I'm calling MINI Roadside tomorrow to have them tow it up to the dealer. :-( I'll update when I get more info.

 

And after the dealer driving it 25 miles after clearing the codes....no problems have arose....strange....guess it was just a fluke?? :-( Argh......but maybe it's for the best that nothing's actually wrong with the car. Only time will tell...........