I have a r56 with 160,000 miles on it. Over the course of the last month or so it has gotten harder and harder to start almost to the point of wearing down the battery. Anyway, I had to take it on five hour drive. The temp warning light kept commingle on yellow at first but finally red. I checked the hoses and everything was warm not hot. In fact I could almost leave my hand on the head, I figured that if I could do that then it certainly was not over heating. The next day, just for giggles I unplugged the temp sender switch, and the car started up like it was brand new! I then plugged the switch back in and back to the same not starting thing. After having read some of the post on the forum, I knew that I'm not the only one having a starting issue and I thought that I would pass this along. One thing though, by unplugging the sensor it will turn on the MIL lamp.

 

Why don't you just fork up the money and replace the sensor? And wow you have a 160k on your r56 and your are now posting. That is a lot of miles on a r56 what year and what do you do that you have put that many miles on it?

 

Well I just figured it out tonight. I live 350 miles away from the Mini dealer and nobody in my neck of the woods has the desire (or the ability in opinion) to work on it. It' s an 07 I ordered it new. I am a disabled vet and I drive the 350 miles (700 round trip) to the VA hospital up to three times a month for well whatever. Anyway I used to post on here a while back but I forgot my user name So I made a new one to post this thinking it may help someone else.

 

Well thanks unclesalty. I bet it will help someone.

And thanks for your service I appreciate you for serving US!

 

I hope it will. And it was/is my honor to have served, thank you.

 

Are you going to be replacing the sensor? Or just leaving it unhooked?

 

I will definitely be replacing the sensor. For one thing, I want to be sure it isn't overheating, and with it unplugged the radiator fan doesn't turn off unless you remove the relay that controls it. I left the car outside last night just to make sure that by unplugging the sensor really did make a difference, and it started right up. Lately if it got below 35the degrees (f) it would take about 10-12 cranks to get it started.

 

Cool. Good info to know. I'm a vet also but I'll still say thanks for your service. My tour was in NAM (not northamericanmotoring). Ha ha 160K on a sensor is pretty darn good.

 

That is the only thing that I've had to replace. Same battery, clutch, brakes so I can't complain. And thank you. 82nd Airborne 84-88.

 

That is sum mileage for an R56!

As others have stated thank you for serving!

 

It's been a great car. It's hard to believe that something as simple as a coolant temp sender can turn it into a nonstarter.

 

Wow, see this kind of information is what is often left out of the forums -- 160k miles and nary a problem. An '07 no less.

Same brakes?! You sure those don't need replacing? Do you engine brake?

 

Yeah that was my thought exactly. What does the coolant temp have to do with that? I've got an 07 too going strong. I work at a VA medical center actually. I'm guessing the OP had to do the brakes. My fronts are almost due at 52K.

 

The rear need replacing now which makes me think that e- brake may be dragging. The front ones will be replaced too, but usually the front go before the rear. You have to know that with 160k on an 07, that it has been mostly go compared to stop. Where I live it's a two hour drive in any direction to get to a town with more then one traffic light

 

Good info Unclesalty. I have an '07 as well. 71K and clean as a whistle. Did the brakes myself. Dealer did the timing chain, cost me 35K. Never get the wife to drop your car off at the dealership.
I wanted to be in the military, but I joined the Air Force instead. '80-'86. And I dance with the VA, too.
So Howdy Brother, and thanks.

 

35k for a timing chain? What did they do, pulled the oil cap and drive a new car under it? I assume that you mean 3500.00, which is still a good chunk of change. The last time I jumped out of a perfectly good plane, it belonged to the Airforce! Don't sell yourself short bro, thanks for your service.

 

3500.00 would still be higher than he_ _ for the timing chain issue. It's usually around 1500-1700 for the complete replacement.
Something missing in that post.?? Just don't know what.

 

3,500 is a lot. It cost me like 900 for the timing chain, guides, and tensioner.

 

Well I just got done installing the new temp sender, cleared the engine code, and it fired right up! I would never have believed that the temperature sender would cause such starting headaches. I got my Mini back!!!!

 

No telling why it did what it did but it happens.

 

Hey brother, glad to hear it's back. Sometimes they are temperamental but we sure love 'em.

 

I believe I am also having a problem with my Coolant temp sensor. It takes me about 5 times to get the car running, my temp light comes on but I never over heat and my fan runs constantly. My GF has a code reader so Im about to go see if I cant pull a code out of it to make sure thats the problem. Lets hope it is, a $22 fix is what Im shooting for!

 

Oops Got caught up in planning a big trip (Scotland) and have been off the boards for a while. The 35K was for the timing chain and a '12 convertible. Pretty much loaded at that. I wasn't even thru talking to the SA before she was test driving.

Funny thing, or not, my Mini threw a yellow heat light last night twice. Both times on start up after short shut downs. I noticed the fan never came on after shut down. I haven't had a chance to do a cold start, yet. Called the wife this morning and had her turn the A/C on and the fan came on. She didn't say it threw a light and sound a ping, but she is female and the species is known to "control" information.

Coupled with this I have noticed a subtle slower, dragging start. Like a weak battery on older cars. I have been watching for any odd behavior from the gauges, because I read that a low battery often causes that to happen. Even warned the Sweetie we may be making a purchase.
Searching the board this morning I find that a bad CTS can cause slow starts with the improper temp reading. Most I read are failing where the system reads cold. Mine seems to be dropping the fan off too soon, or not running it at all, but not that far off. If the CTS reads close to correct, so it doesn't throw a light at start up, it would still run the thermostat full open. That would be mean requiring less, or no, fan time. When I start it up the CTS reads close enough to throw a light, the thermostat is full open and cools the engine quickly, and all is good. Also, seems some post were about winter, and we are in the 90s right now.
At shut down the engine doesn't seem hotter than before. The turbo cooler runs about like it did before. So I really think I have a faulty CST.
Anybody see any trouble with my logic. I'll try the sensor disconnect. But is there another way to test my theory. A couple of hundred bucks and some scraped knuckles is a poor way to trouble shoot.

UPDATE: On cold start the light comes on and the fan comes on. My money is now on the CST. Had the recall done in March. Giving them a call.