So what is the deal with the air recycling button?
When I first got the car it stayed on even between shutdowns. Now it only stays on for 30 second before going back to normal. I coded it to remember but that had no effect.
I was wondering if the filter was dirty.... But the car is only a year old.
I also had a 2014 F56 that displayed similar symptoms.
Any thoughts¿

 

Did you have a flash update at all from MINI?

 

No they have not touched the car except to change the oil...

 

Maybe because its cold outside and if it reaches a temp it shuts off?

The filter can get dirty if you use the heat and AC all the time. I change mine once a year. I use the heater and air allot.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-filter.html

 

Do you think that the filter could cause these symptoms? It seems strange if the recycling could sense air restriction caused by the filter and even if it why would this change its functionality? I suggested this as because far as I can tell it is the only variable unless there is something I'm missing....

 

I guess if its clogged enough the newer HVAC systems might have a air flow sensor and slow the recirc? Possible, no ones tested and messed with the newer HVAC system. My guess is the cold air might be the real issue.

 

It's the cold weather. It's -20'C [-4'F] here now and the recirculate only lasts for 17 seconds.

I have a trick for you! It's not easy to do, but it works on my car, and I hope it works on yours. Do this before you start out. You need a watch or if you are listening to a podcast or music, you can use the time there.

First, when the clock gets to 00 or something, turn the recirculate on and note when the green light goes off. Like I said, it's 17 or 18 seconds when it's cold enough.

Now, turn the recirculate on and then press the button again just as the green light goes off. This has to happen within one or two tenths of a second of the light going off, half a second is too long. You basically have to be pushing the button as the light shuts off.

If you didn't get it, you will hear the change in air flow as it goes from recirculate to fresh air and back to recirculate. If you got it, or almost have it, you will not hear the air flow change, and after 17 seconds the light will still be green.

I wrote a thread for this somewhere.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ible-hack.html

If someone wanted to, you could wire in a PIC chip and program it to sense when the green light goes out. So, holding the recirculate button for a second or two would tell the PIC you wanted the recirculate to stay on, then when the light went off, the PIC would fake that button push. The next time the button was pushed, the PIC would stop minding the light. Can the PIC be powered by the green light's supply? You could sell the whole switch panel, how hard is that to install?

 

This soundings amazing. Thanks for sharing. Is this a permanent fix?

 

Also and most importantly.... What is the stock behavior needn't to be¿

 

The trick is not that amazing because it's really hard to do, and it is not permanent, it doesn't stay on when you shut the car off.

If you were to wire in a PIC, it would solve your problems, but that is merely speculation on my part, I haven't looked into it at all.

Stock behaviour is unfortunately how your car is operating.

I also identified a possible programming target, but I don't recall anyone trying it.

We sort of discussed this before here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4141774

 

As I stated earlier I coded the the AC to remember the state between shut offs. It did not work. Whatever is happening is overriding the settings.
I'll try this but have my car stored for a month as I'm away. Thanks for the suggestion.