The engine light came-on this morning in my 2007 CooperS. It is illuminated yellow, not red and is on steady.
It has been at the MINI dealership all day and they tell me that they are having a difficult time nailing-down the problem.
Has anyone out there had this light come-on before? If so, what was causing it?

Thanks

 

If a code isn't recorded and the car still seems to run normally, it might just remain a mystery. In that case, they'll probably just reset it.

From what little I think I know, CELs can be something like burps; a sensor detects a brief venture out of emissions spec range and throws a light. Anything serious should also record a code number, however.

 

Did they provide you with a fault code print out?
A CEL means the ECU has traced an issue, and can provide direct diagnostics if you scan the ECU for faults.

Many have, and it's nothing new.
However, we cannot help until you provide the exact fault code(s) that are stored in the ECU's memory.

- Erik

 

Just had this happen... after checking the usual loose gas cap as the culprit, I had my mechanic check the code, and the thermostat was stuck open. New thermostat in today. The old one was leaking around the sensor too. All better now.

 

Fill up your tank with High Test and add a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel system/injector cleaner

Will fix the bad gas... carbon build up for up to a year...

Engine light will go out by itself after a certain number or runs

 

How does it do that if it doesnt touch the valves?

 

Cleans the direct injectors and whatever else gets in its way... is actually what BMW recommends.... use it once a year and you should be good. May not be your problem but it works for me

 

Techron fuel treatment will do absolutely nothing against carbon build up on the intake valves(in no way is it related to the pcv system). Sorry sir whether BMW "Say" it will it wont. It goes straight into the combustion chamber and gets burned.

 

Hence why it would never touch the valves. Direct Injection is the technology that allows the injection of fuel directly into the cylinder bypassing the valves. So by its nature the top end of a direct injection engine cannot be cleaned by fuel additives. Unfortunately carbon only really builds up in the top end.

 

Thanks Everyone for your responses.
In the end, (like Stick mentioned above) it was the thermostat that had stuck open (my car is an '07 too) and had a slow leak too.
$805+ later I drove out of the MINI dealership trouble-free.
BTW, I always use high octane and add injector cleaner every 2 - 3 tanks.
Normally, I would have tackled this myself, but, I was on a time-crunch for an out of town drive, so, I bit the bullet.
Any recommendations on MINI wrenches in the San Jose/Santa Cruz CA area (other than the dealer)?
Thanks again everyone!

 

Ouch. Too bad you're not closer... . That same job would've only been $550 without my extended warranty (MBI through my finance co) at the guy I'm using here in Auburn. But the 2 or 3 hour drive up here cuts into the price difference.

 

There's a BMW shop in Campbell that a long-term Bimmer owning friend of mine recommends highly. He says they have lots of MINIs around the place as well, so there's a good chance Fenimore will be going there for non-dealer service.

I can't remember the name, though.

 

Thanks Slave for the recommendation. Will check 'em out.

 

I talked to my friend, he takes his M3s (2 of them!) to Import Connection in Campbell.

Oh, and his "lesser" 3-series car as well.