Hello everybody, I'm new to this forum. I'm from Italy, so I'm sorry if my english is not very good...

I'm installing an intake on my 2002 mini cooper (non S). I've chosen a universal BMC filter. I know it wont fit easily, but its so cheaper...

I've read and followed the instructions by OctaneGuy: http://www.littlemini.us/technical/intake/index.asp

The question is: AFTER I've removed the air box from throttle body, and BEFORE installing the new intake, i've turned on the car key just to extract a cd from the car cd reader, and discovered the car wont start and wont let me access to the navigator, radio and so on. I thought it was because I had disconnected the plastic connector, so I re-connected it, but nothing changes, the car is still stuck there.
I noticed that when I turn on/off the key, the Throttle body (the part in the picture) seems to move and make a sound.

Please tell me I've not messed up everything!!!

How can I fix that?

Thank you for reading!

 

Does the engine turn over? If not perhaps it's the battery. Double check and see if any other connectors have been bumped loose.

 

Thank you for your reply!

I thought it was the battery, too. Checked it and it seems fine. Also tried with a battery-starter and it didnt work... Btw I'm checking again later.

And yes, the connectors are actually all connected!

Isn't it possible that there is a sensor or something on the throttle body that reveals theres no more air box? If so the electronic system might see this as a malfunction...

 

Have you tried putting the old air box back on and returning the car to the condition it was in before you tried to put on the new intake?

 

You could also try disconnecting the battery for a bit then re-connecting it to see if it will reset.

 

Tonight (its 2.50 PM here right now) I'm gonna try to disconnect and re-conect the battery. If that doesnt work I'll try to put the new intake. If the car is still stuck, I'll try to put back the original air box. Then I'll post a report.
Thank you for your suggestions. I really appreciate!!

 

There's a connector just to right of the old air box. you probably remember It was actually clipped or atached to the airbox before the box before you removed it. I'd double check that connection. Not sure what its for but I'd be willing to be if its loose; its likely your promblem given its proximity to the air box.

 

I'm not 100% sure on this but I would assume that to remove the stock air box, you have to disconnect the Mass Air Flow sensor that lives on/around the stock air box. The connector that was mentioned in the reply above is probably one for the MAF sensor. Without the MAF sensor connected, I would think the engine computer would definitely prevent the engine from starting. I'd suggest reconnecting at least the MAF sensor back, and verifying that the engine does turn over.

Good Luck!

 

You don't need to disconnet the MAF plug. I didn't. I made a bracket to support the plug similar to what is there with the airbox. Actually I made it out of the old airbox. But yeah if its disconnected I can see why the engine won't turn over.

 

What I read and see;

You 've disconnect the electronic cable at the throttle body. This cable gives the sign of the gas pedal to the electric motor in the throttle body. You have tried to start the engine when the connector was disconnected. Stupidly!

I don't see the point why you have disconnected this connector?! It isn't necessary to do this when you install a CAI. I disconnected twice because of changing the TB himself.

In your situation what should I do:
- reconnect the electronic cable at the TB
- install a filter (it doesn't matter wich one: OEM or the CAI)
- check other cables
- try to start the engine

if no effect:
- disconnect the battery cables for a night (to reset the computer)
or/and...
- call your dealer first for advice

Only what I say: good luck!

 

i know on Nissans that if the electronic throttle is disconnected and key is switched on the car wont start and will set a fault, not always kick on the engine light though. if that happens then you have to cycle the key (~10 sec on, ~5 sec off, repeat) and that allows the computer to test both the throttle and the accelerator pedal to see if they respond. We have to do it at our shop every once and awhile.

dont know if its the same for the MINI but worth a try.

 

Sounds light something that would happen to me. That's why I just got a drop-in filter for my MINI.

Let us know what the problem turned out to be.

 

I would recommend:

1. NOT keeping the keys in the ignition while working under the hood.

2. NOT starting the car without a filter in the throttle body.

3. Keeping track of all involved electronics as they were BEFORE installation, and where they belong AFTER installation, and figuring that out before beginning.

This is a fairly easy mod to do by yourself, just be careful and pay attention to details.

Good luck-

-[[[S]]]

 

Sorry, can't give any opinion abt your problem but I can share how to install a BMC CDA CAI on a MINI ONE,take a look at this link: http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...one-photo.html

Hope it can give you some idea. Good Luck

 

Here is my $.02.
Reconnect all plugs.
Disconnect the battery for 45 minutes 9to reset the OBC)
Reconnect battery
Try starting the car...if the car still doesnt start...proceed
Get a OBC 2 scanner and scan for codes
Reset OBC with scanner
Try starting the car again

After that.....your outta luck....looks like the dealership...

 

It took me some time but finally i fixed that!!
First of all thank you to everyone who answered me!

Now if anyone can find this useful, I'll describe what I did:

1- Yesterday I checked all connectors, they were actually connected.
2- Finished installing the new intake.
3- I connected the battery to another car battery. The navi came back to life, but still I couldn't start the engine. Btw the problem turned out to be the battery.
4- Left the battery in charge for the whole night and this morning everything worked fine!

Actually I was just unlucky that the battery completely discharged exactly in those 30 mins I disconnected the air box. I dont think its because I did something wrong, it just happened in the wrong moment. Phew!

to Vodka: I installed my filter quite like yours, I mean using the original S pipe from the airbox. I was wondering how to secure it, as it seems to move too much: the original air box is really bulky and theres so much free space now. Looking at your pictures I saw how you fixed that and it seems a nice solution, so thank you for your contribution!

 

Maybe u can use hose clamp to secure it?

For my case, I take out the whole original air box and use the aluminium hose (come with BMC CDA) to connect the CDA to the air path (front grill).

Notice I use back the "black thing" (sorry don't know what it called) in between the aluminium hose and the air path (front grill)? Actually, I just slide it in without securing it (might be losing some air) but so far so good. You can change it to sillicon hose or anything and securing it with clamp.

Maybe you can post some photo

Thanks

 

I'm glad you got it working.

 

Im not having much spare time these days, but as soon as i finish the work I'll post some pics!