I just got an '03 with 53k, Its an S with a 15% pulley, K & N cold air kit, NRP exhaust. The dealer in Pittsburgh upgraded the ECM mapping to JCW (20.4) specs, and did a fuel system clean. I drove it 480 highway miles and the SES came on. I was registering the car and had to take it through State emmissions. It failed due to the OBD code. It ran great!
So I took it to the dealer in Hartford was told it needed an O2 sensor. I told them to do it, the tech found a loose vacuum hose and while he was fixing that saw some other Vac tees and that didn't do anything. Its been in the dealer for 4 days now. They're not sure whats wrong or what to do. They set it one way and it idles fine, but no power, they set it the other way and it runs great but won't idle.
I've been out of state and only talked to the service advisor. He's looking for answers from me. HELP!!

Ray

 

You don't want the JCW mapping because you don't have the bigger injectors. Go back to your stock mapping. The dealer should know better....

What was the code?

 

is it maybe missing a catch can? sounds like the previous owner didn't mind changing things up, maybe somebody removed a catch can that used to be here and didn't reconnect the lines?

or maybe he had some gauges he took with him and the uninstall was messy?

 

VGS mod gone bad?
You took the car to New Country in Hartford Conn.? If so ask if they have checked for the VGS mod. They may have hooked hoses up so the FPR is not connected ( no power ). The hose from the original TB to the BPV may have been left open & hooked that up and got it to idle ( leaving the FPR disconnected ).

 

These are great suggestions, Ray59. I, too, was thinking a bad VGS mod. Herein lies the power of NAM--quick relevant answers to a reasonable question.
Good luck.

 

Yea, I was also thinking VGS. If not that, maybe a OCC like PPE said or gauges...

-Cody

 

Thanks for the feedback, It is at New Country. I'll call tomorrow and offer the advice. Do you know a tech there that understands performance mods?
No removed gauges ( although I'd like to add them), or catch can (another good idea). Too many miles between Charlotte, Tail of the Dragon (3 times), Pittsburgh, and CT, to think the plumbing was very wrong.

 

Talk to Mike ( The SA ). I made a diagram for his car.
NC, PA, CT? How did you get to Hartford? That's a lot of area to cover.
If they said "vac lines" the VGS is the only place on the car that would give you these kind of issues.
They are also a Dinan dealer.

 

I would talk to Bill in service. Ask him if Eric can work on it. Tell him Joaquin sent you.

 

I live in Torrington, CT. I bought the car from a private owner in Charlotte, drove to Nashville worked 4 days. then to Pittsburgh to visit family. The night before the drive home it had no low end power, only when the revs got way up. Dropped it off at P&W Mini in the Burgh. I picked it up a week ago Monday and had a great drive home. 3 days later Bill at New Country squeezed me in and determined the O2 sensor was bad. Its been there since.

 

I'll try calling Bill tomorrow, I'm in LA right now and my work sched is not time zone friendly. Thanks for the info and suggestions.

Is there a CT or New England Mini owners club?