I waited 9 weeks to get the car, drove it for 1 week, and now it's in for a TPM System Malfunction. I hope it doesn't take them long to figure out what the deal is. I'd rather be driving my new car, not a loaner.

 

***** happens...Hope you get your car back soon.

 

Curious. I've seen that message! It took the replacement of the TPM receiver, the antenna, and wiring to cure my (similar) issue. It's not returned since the work was done 10 months ago by my wonderful MINI service folks! Make sure your dealer consults with MINIUSA Techs on this one; they were key.

 

Not even close to the record for achieving the quickest to the shop from purchase

 

I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had the check engine light come on 1/2 mile after taking delivery from the dealer (brand new). They never were able to repair it permanently.

 

I hope they don't have to go that deep into it, but if that's what it takes, I at least hope they figure it out quickly. How long were you without your car?

 

For me, it was almost two, one week stints. The first week was the process of the dealer doing all they could (locally) to diagnose/repair the problem. It returned. The second (almost) week occurred after MINIUSA got involved working with the service folks and, finally, authorizing all related wiring/hardware to be replaced. I think they even replaced the wheel sensors.

Note: during this time, my dealer provided me with superb customer service and communicated with me daily. Yes, the CMS should have been perfect and the TPM issue should not have happened, but as posted earlier, stuff happens. Plus, I got to drive a Coupe during this time! Wheeeeeee!

Like I said earlier, have your dealer get MINIUSA involved.

 

The service department is trying to blame it on the exhaust tips. They're saying that welding them on must have shorted out something in the module to cause it to stop working. Has anyone else had anything like this happen after an exhaust modification that required welding?

 

When did you get your exhaust tips installed? Did the message show up right after the installation? If so, that might be a possibility.

 

I got them done on Sunday, but there was no error when it was done. I drove 20 miles home, still no error. Then I drove another 20 miles to the store later that night, still no error. Then when I started the car to leave the store, the message popped up that the TPM system was malfunctioning. If it was related to the exhaust tip installation, it would have errored out right away and most likely wouldn't be the only electrical thing effected.

 

I've never had my tips welded (!) nor any "activity" that might cause wiring harness damage. Yet, I received this:



Again, the problem was only rectified after my dealer got MINIUSA techs involved and gave the go ahead for replacing TMP receiver, antenna, sensors, and TPM wiring harness. To this day they do not know which replaced component cured the problem.

I fear your MINI dealer is in "revenue enhancement" mode rather than customer service mode. There will be a number of labor hours and some expensive parts required to solve this problem. If the warranty covers this, then MINIUSA reimburses the dealer for the parts and labor (on a cost basis, i.e.; no profit to the dealer). If the dealer doesn't get MINIUSA techs involved, they can try to blame the welding and collect retail cost from you. Personally, I wouldn't put up with it and would go to another dealer who has more savvy techs and is willing to get MINIUSA techs involved. You're being jerked around, IMHO...

There should be a record of MINIUSA's involvement in my issue. I'll PM you with my my VIN. That should be what the dealer would need to pursue the issue with MINIUSA for reference.

 

It's been two full days, they've replaced the antenna so far, and tested all of the wheel sensors, but still can't figure out what the issue is with the TPM system. I hope they get some results tomorrow. I don't want to go any longer without my car.

 

Well, for those of you who might be wondering what happened, the dealer had my car for a full week, they replaced the antenna for the TPM system, found out that all 4 wheel sensors were bad, reloaded the car's software and said they had it fixed. I picked it up Tuesday night, made it about 20 miles away, and the same error popped up on the screen. Looks like it's headed back to the dealer to see what else they can do to try to fix it. I think I'm going to drive it a few days before I give it back, I've only owned it for 2 weeks and they had it for 1 of them.

 

I've had my car for 8 out of the last 34 and counting. So done with this. Good luck!

 

Hey Rudeman, did the dealers able to fix this problem on your car?

 

Not yet. I brought it back 10/30/12 and they still have it.