My Mini MCS R56 has started to run the cooling fan for about 5 minutes evey time I shut it down today, I am not sure why. I am used to the water pump running for a while but this is definitely the fan. There are no warning lights, the check function on the computer is ok, the day has not been hot at 20 degrees C and this was not after a hard drive, just a highway cruise. It did it multiple times so it is not a one off.

Does anyone have any ideas, do I have a problem?

 

Sounds like normal operation to me.

 

Completely normal. Sounds like the weather has heated up a bit where you are of you might be driving it a bit harder. Still, completely normal to have the fan run after shutdown.

 

Well I thought the same thing too but for these two things. Firstly it is winter here and 20 degrees C during the day but it did not do it during summer when it is near on 40. Secondly these were long runs on the highway when it should not be getting very hot.

The funny thing is it is not doing it today. Maybe it is mini telling me I don't play with her enough.

She needs to go in and get her rear brake pads done soon, think I will mention it then. I will post up BMW's reply when I do.

 

funny, your concerned because yours is coming on. I am concerned because mine doesn't seem to come on?

 

Well BMW said it is normal for the R56 to do this if engine temps warrant and will run for up to 300 seconds. They said they checked mine and it is all good.

The problem is it is now doing if i start it from dead cold, move it a car length out of the garage and then shut down, no engine temp there. Once the engine fans came on after not moving all night, by just unlocking the doors. I was not even in the car yet! I found that the engine fan is on permanently, I mean it never turns off.

I have also found that when I first start it in the morning the idle is really rough, to the point of almost stalling. It does this until it gets a bit of heat into it. It seems to start at normal revs, not the normal cold idle revs (approx 1000rpm).

Well, back to Mini she goes!

 

I think I have found the answer.

Today I thought I would do the right thing by both our toys and clean the MAP sensors. I do this occasionally as both run K@N filters so I normally clean the MAP a couple of days after cleaning the filter.

Anyway, I cleaned both the MAP sensors on the mini (no MAF on australian mini). One is located on the right on the plastic induction tube that leads to the throttle body. The other is located on the inlet manifold under the airbox (I think this one may be purely temperature but I am not sure). I removed both and gave them a thorough squirt with CRC MAF cleaner. I was reassured this product is completely safe on any MAF, MAP or temperature sensor.

I then reassembled and let it idle for a few minutes to let the ECU adjust to the idle figures. When I turned it off, no engine cooling fan, awesome. I then started it and stopped it a few times just to check, still no fan. I then took it for a drive and noticed instantly a lot more throttle response and power as well as a smoother idle. I just hope it has fixed that rough start idle when it cold starts but I suspect it will.

I have noticed an increase in fuel consumption, now up to 7.9L/100km over the last few months, it used to average about 7.1. So I filled it up today and will see how it goes but it already seems better, more to follow on this one.

My theory is as such. These sensors provide information on intake air temp and pressure. The ECU uses this information along with throttle position and engine speed to then calculate airflow and mass, which it then meters the fuel for to provide the correct air/fuel ratio. Incorrect readings will throw this measurement out and will cause the engine to run rich, thus loosing power and increasing consumption.

The dirty sensors were probably also reading as very high on the intake air temp, which was causing the ECU to think the intake temp was a lot hotter than it really was. This probably caused the ECU to limit boost levels in an effort to keep the temps down and prevent pinging. It probabbly also engaged the engine fan constantly both during engine operation and after to both increase the effectiveness of the intercooler and cool the turbo after use. This is a safety function the mini has but should only operate under extreme conditions.

I believe this was an intermittant problem initially as the signal started off a bit suspect, meaning a long run would trigger it, deteriorating it to any starting at any temp would cause the faulty sensor signal to trigger the problem.

The end result is I have definately got my old Mini back the way she used to be and it is so much fun, I need to go for another drive.

 

...Turbo must cool down?

 

Of course it must, otherwise if the oil sits in the super hot bearing housing, it will cook and block the oil supply.

 

Lol woops that was supposed to be an exclamation point not a question mark

 

Thought it was a strange question, one punctuation mark changes so much.

Further development, started the car this morning , dead cold and no rough idle, perfect.

Amazing how one dirty sensor can really mess things around.

The worst bit is I now have to clean my filter again as we had a big dust storm yeaterday

No, that is not a filter on the lens giving the red aura of mars, that is dust.

 

Well the fan run on returned not long after my last post.

I also noticed the car eventually seemed low on power and was consuming a lot more fuel.

Then one day she refused to start, ended up being towed to BMW. They found the engine coolant temperature sensor was faulty and telling the ECU the car was overheating even when dead cold. They replaced the sensor, plus the thermostat out of good will, re flashed the JCW program on the ECU and she runs like a dream again. Power is back, engine fan swithes off and the fuel consumption is much better again.

Not to mention the service manager was not happy when we were explained that we were told the original fault was normal. I am tipping the service advisor and tech that dealt with the initial complaint got a few comments from the manager.

A big thanks to Declan at Motorline Mini in Brisbane Australia for sorting out our pride and joy, this guy gets things done and is worth talking to.

Lesson learnt, if the engine cooling fan runs on, even when cold, there is a problem. Get them to check the temperature sensor.

 

We just replaced the housing unit and seal last week. The coolant is not low but tonight when shut the car off the cooling fan came on first time ever. When I restarted the car I noticed the engine light was on. The fan ran about 10 minutes and shut off. Is this normal

 

Usually runs after somewhat spirited driving or hot temps. Turbo cooling down on S model.

 

what did the JCW flash run you if you dont mind me asking?

 

An imformative post!
Another ecu/temp sensor mismatch or failure? Isn't this is what prompted the 2012 'temp sensor reposition and new cradle recall' that was first noticed by 'NAM-ers in the USA with the Countryman?
It isn't 'normal' for the loud cooling fan to run except when (distressed) on a hot day in crawling traffic or when a/c is used.
They 'all run hot' or 'turbo cooling down' are not acceptable answers imo. Rather, sensor component quality control issues need to be considered...
RobboMCS gave a good explanation in a NAM post.

 

It has more to do with the catalytic converter temperature and coolant temperature as specified in the Bentley manual. These turbo Mini's fans don't run long enough as it is, that goes for the aux pump for the turbocharger, 5 minutes isn't enough! I wish I could program the fan and aux pump to run longer, I bet the battery wouldn't like that one bit.