I love this car but I'm a little scared because I've already had lights(dsc and flat tire) come on. I tried to back up and I forgot that I had the parking brake on. I immediately stopped and released the brake but both lights came on and stayed on. I was like NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!. The nearest dealer to me is 3 hours away so I called them and they told me that there was no way to reset these lights. I Lifted the parking brake a few times because I thought it may be sticking or something and they didn't go off. However, when I went for a drive they both went off. It was the closest thing to an orgasm that I can think of. Anyway should I expect this to be the norm? Are they really this sensitive? Any reply is appreciated.

 

The DSC and the Flat Tire indicator are two completely different issues. If they are coming on simultaneously, that could be an indication of something I'm not at all familiar with.

The fact the dealer said there is no easy way to reset them is a load of crock.

First off, the DSC light comes on when the DSC is turned off. So if you push the DSC toggle, it lights up to tell you that it's now turned off--otherwise it normally defaults to on.

If the light is on all the time, I wonder if this MINI has the Ian Cull Auto Up circuit?? Can you close the windows by double clicking the window toggle switch?? If so, it's possible this MINI has the Ian Cull Track Mode DSC circuit.

As for the flat tire indicator--just hold the button down located by the handbrake with the engine running. After about 20 or 30 seconds the light will no longer flash, and will go out the next time you restart the engine.

If the light is on, is there any chance that your brake sensor is worn or faulty?

Where did you buy this MINI--private party or dealer??

Have you tried toggling the DSC toggle (next to the driver side window toggle)??

The flat tire indicator come up when it senses a loss a sudden change in air pressure. This can happen after the tires have been rotated as well.

Richard

 

I bought it from a local dealer in Ky (not a mini dealer).

 

I see. So was that the same dealer you called for support or did you call a MINI dealer?? Cause that's the first problem--MINI dealers aren't all that great, but they will be more helpful than a dealer that doesn't know MINIs.

So with the engine off, and then started--are those lights still on?

Does toggling the DSC toggle do anything???

Have you tried holding down the brake light reset button??

 

I've already had lights(dsc and flat tire) come on.

The same thing happened to me for NO reason I could see. Just both popped on at the same time. Resetting the flat tire indicator did nothing. I was upset just as you as there is NO excuse for this kind of crap happening all the time.

I shut off the car, checked the tire pressures, all was OK. If both DSC and Flat Tire indicator are both on together, it means a bad tire sensor (I believe). We got back in the car, turned it on and drove off and the lights went off

They never came back on but to me it was just another of MINI quirks that can get annoying.

Anyway should I expect this to be the norm?

Yup. Welcome to the club

Are they really this sensitive?

The whole car is sensitive. Our car drove fine for a long time. One time we bought gas at a different gas station (Shell) and the car immediately go the Cold Start Issue (see the long sticky thread on this). Changed back to Exxon/Mobile and the cold start issue went away. Sensitive ... yup.

I would just say get used to the quirks. In your case, with the lights still on, its time to go to the dealer to check the wheel sensors.

 

I eventually didn't have to do anything because they went off by themselves. They came on last night(Friday) and I went out and started it this morning and they were still on. I set and reset the parking brake and then drove down the street and they went off. Also I should have included that when backing up last night I barely caught the corner of a wooden landscape border which about an inch tall. I think that's when the dsc light came on. I was just wondering how sensitive and how cautious I have to be . It's my new baby and I need to now how tough she is.

 

Thanks chows. I love the car just a little nervous about servicing it since I'm 3 hours from the nearest MINI dealer.

 

NP. We have all been through these things.

Are you saying they are both ON right now? or just sometimes.

IF they are ON all the time, go to the dealer, its most likely some kind of wheel sensor associated with the ABS (I think, I don't have my Bentley Manual anymore).

IF they go on an off intermittently, I'd say its just quirky and wait until they are both on ALL THE TIME

Setting the handbrake should do nothing so that is weird.

As to being sensitive, if you spin the wheels, the DSC light should blink. it just means its doing its job. Its best to leave it ON for safety. If your on ice or snow, its better to turn it off because your most likely slipping all the time and the car will just bog you down (My MA told me that).

Survive the quirks and you'll love the car

Just remember, if both lights STAY ON ... take it to the dealer.

 

I know I've read something about those two lights coming on together being linked with some sensor bank/ECU problem. But I agree with the others about not worrying if they go off. I have occasional Onboard Computer resets, the DSC comes on for no reason, and an ECU that seems to get confused when I shut off the car (forgets to switch on the interior lights, and other weird stuff).

A quick fix for many of the lights: put the key in position #2 for 30 seconds. If that doesn't work start and stop the car 3-5 times (some lights/codes go away after a few drive cycles - not recommended if you are actually trying to figure out a problem though!).

 

Professor, mine is the same color but an S version. Love it!!

 

Would reseting the ECU help? I had problems like this on my last car (Volvo S70). There were no physical problems with the car, just an electrical glitch.

 

good luck and welcome to the mini family =P