I just got back from the dealer today. It was my first Warranty Service experience in Canada. I dropped the car off at 9:15AM and it was not ready until 4:00PM. I'm 2 hrs away from the dealer and luckily was given a curtesy vehicle (pontiac G5). Okay, let's get to my questions / concerns. I was under the impression that the O2 Sensor needed replacing. My hometown mechanic scanned the vehicle and a P0130 (Bank I sensor 1) code came up. I double checked the code myself with a Scangauge II that I recently purchased. It also read P0130.

When I picked up the car today the dealer informed me that they did not replace the 02 Sensor. He explained what the technicican did as follows:

"Connected vehicle to battery charger and GT1 and performed short test on vehicle. DME FC P0130 sporatic fault and not currently present. Followed through test plan, 02 sensor voltage fluctuating okay. Checked connection at 02 sensor, okay. Cleared related fault code and road tested vehicle".

The dealer explained to me that even though the service engine light is on continuously the fault code was not. He suggested that the O2 Sensor was working fine. He advised me to keep an eye on the service engine light over the next few weeks / months.

My question is how long does it take for the service engine light to come back on if the problem still exists. Does this happen right away, take a few weeks, months, etc.? Originally I was a little dissapointed after driving all that way and not having the sensor replaced. I guess it's warranty and they need to justify the replacement?

I own a 2005 Mini Cooper with 62,000 Kilometers

As an aside, I was informed prior to the service that if the Gas Cap Fault Code came up that I'd be charged 1/2 hr labor ($62.50 +tax). I think this was if there was no other warranty related codes. Just a thought for those with service engine lights coming on, you MAY WANT TO CHECK IT YOURSELF FIRST / BEFORE GOING TO THE DEALER. Well, at least in Canada.

Any thoughts on the whole O2 sensor experience? Overall, other than having to wait a long time for the service my experience with BMW / Mini was pretty good. They offer a hot spot for wireless internet, complimentary beverages (water, juice, etc.), and a fancy massage chair in the waiting area.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts / comments!

 

I could have written this exact post myself as it describes the problem I have with my car as well. 05 MCS, 60K, my engine light is also on/off periodically for the last 2 months, had it at the dealer for a couple of things last month, engine light being one of the them. When I got it back the computer had not stored any codes so they didn't check anything out. Since then the light has gone on and off every few days, had it scanned the other day and the p0130 code came up. I plan on taking it in to the dealer in the next week or two to get it checked but am a bit worried that the same thing will happen to me as the light is on and off. I've heard that sometimes they will flash the computer to reset things. Once I take it in I'll post back on this post to let you know how things turned out.

 

Interesting, yes have it checked by a dealer. If the code is stored in the computer they will have to check your 02 Sensor. However, like in my situation they may not be required to replace it.

The dealer also mentioned that since I had them inspect the car that if the part (O2 Sensor) needed to be replaced within 40,000K or within a 2 year period that it would be for free / under warranty. This is good because my warranty is up in 1 year or 18,000 kilometers.

I,m still trying to figure out how long it would take for the service engine light to come back on after being reset, should the 02 sensor actually be faulty.

Let us know how you fair with the dealer.

Cheers!

 

The o2 sensors are checked continuously (for open or shorts in the heater as well as the sensor portion); if a continues condition is detected the light will be on after only two actuations of the key (without starting the car) the first (key on) will set a pending code.

The o2 is also checked during the drive cycle or operation of the vehicle if the conditions are correct, this test is intrusive; the ECM will deliberately command rich or lean fuel delivery and asses the condition of the sensor bases on some anticipated response to the rich or lean condition.

Finally the ECM will test the heater portion of the o2 right after the vehicle has been switched off; the ECM commands the o2 heater on and watches for the sensor to register a low condition as the sensor heats up.

 

I looked up ECM and I think it means Electronic Counter Measure or Engine Control Module? I've never really came across this acronym.

So, considering it's been 3-4 days with my car back from the dealer could I assume that if the 02 sensor code / service engine light have not come on that the 02 sensors are functioning adequately?

I ask because I've heard others suggest that after a code is reset it could take months before the code would be able to come back.

Thanks for your help!

 

Spirit, that is a good sign, however you may have to drive some highway miles at a steady throttle including periods of deceleration without touching the brake to create the exact condition for the Engine Control Module (ECM) to test.

 

Thanks! I have not been driving the car that much / that far since the dealer reset. However, my drive back home from the dealer was a 2 HR highway drive. Over the next few weeks I'll be doing a 1hr comute to work 2 days per week. This should give the ECM a chance to test the sensors. I'll report back if I see the lights coming back on!

Thanks again.

 

Not on a mini, but my experience with our toyota, that did have a faulty front O2 sensor:
First time - I reset the error codes and it came back within 5 miles of driving.
The second time, (I checked the harness connections, cleaned the air mass flow sensor and reset the error codes), came back within 5 miles.
(Then I changed the sensor out.) I think if it is an open circuit error, it will error pretty quick. If it is intermittent, the sensor could be OK, but you have another electrical, ecu, or wiring issues.

 

Could it not be possible for the sensor to create an error code as a mistake or secondary to fluctuations in fuel quality, or something, etc.? I purchased the car with the light on / did not notice the problem until I got home (that's another thread). Hopefully I'm not opening pandora's box with the 02 sensor issue?

So far the service engine light / 02 sensor code have not come back on and otherwise the car seems to run well. There is however a mild jerk / rev that happens from iddle speed to initial gas (2-4 little jerks). Sometimes it can happen on deacceleration as well. I was told that the CVT in mini's are not as smooth as some regular automatic transmissions in other cars? I originally thought there may be a mild transmission issue? It did not seem as smooth as a 2008 mini cooper AT / CVT I test drove. I forgot to mention this to the dealer during my warrany visit but the mechanic did take it for a test drive and should have noticed this? Plus, the 2008's likely drive different than the 05's? However, I've had mechanics miss things on test drives with other cars of mine. So, I think I'll likely bring it back to the dealer at some point before my warranty runs out.

Thanks!

 

As always if you have a concern and you are under warranty let the dealer know and save your documentation. Good luck.

 

I recall reading the thresholds for the errors to register. they are specific and seem pretty wide tolerance. I would guess, if you got a error and there is no system malfunction, it was accurate (the sensor). But it doesn't hurt to reset it and drive it to confirm it repeats the code. IMO

 

Had my car in today with the ses light on and off for the last few weeks, p0130 code registered this time, replaced the pre-cat o2 sensor. Took about 60 min to diagnose and replace, wash and vacuum.

 

How many K's on your car? Was that a "dealer service"? Pretty impressive if it was. I was in for 7hrs and all they did was a quick diagnostic and they reset the SES light. I have a feeling my light will come back on as soon as I start driving my car more. It's been sitting pretty while I've been away.

 

Richmond Mini Dealer in Vancouver, was the 2nd time I'd had the car in for the SES light, first time there were no codes stored, this time there was. Service there has been really good so far, this is the first car I've owned that actually had warranty left on it. 60K km's on my car.

 

Yes, I remember now. Glad to here everthing worked out for you!

 

i have an 07 mini (25000 miles) and while i was driving on the freeway and i felt a slight engine hesitation. the engine warning light/service soon light turned on. from that point the engine was sputtering along and couldn't get it to go over 60mph.

i parked it for an hour and tried starting it up again. still sputtering and hesitation but now i could only bring it up to 10mph. i didn't think i would make it home so i left it at a friend's house.

any ideas what it could be??? the only mod i've done is 15 degree supercharger pulley. thanks.