Hi all. Our '02 MCS was performing fine earlier today. I went to start it up a couple minutes ago and it proceeded to idle erratically. The SES, EML, and DSC lights were on and I couldn't rev the engine up past ~1800 rpm. Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? I guess I'll have to get MINI to pick it up this week sometime but that's going to be a major PITA. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Well, the best way to find out is to get a code reader and see what the car thinks is wrong; but having just had a similar experience, here are some likely possibilities (in no particular order) based on my perusal of the boards after my lights went on:

(a) blown spark plugs (my issue)
(b) bad bypass valve
(c) vacuum leak somewhere
(d) blown head gasket
(e) bad engine wiring harness

Hope that helps!

 

Check out the info in this TSB:

SIM120402

If you PM me with your e-mail I can send you a pdf of the entire TSB.

 

with an 02 it is more than likely your harrness

 

Yeah, I'm beginning to think that it is the harness. Skiploder, thanks for the e-mail.

I wonder what would cause it. I've recently (within 2 months) installed some fog lights but they only tap the front fog light connector and get power from the main fuse box + lead. They work fine and I doubt they have anything to do with it.

 

Another mystery...
Today, it started and idled just fine. The EML and DSC lights went out but the SES light stayed on. We dropped it off at the dealer and we'll see what they find tomorrow.

 

The dealer called and said it was some sort of computer glitch they couldn't explain. They plugged it in and reloaded the software. Hopefully this is the end of the problem.

 

We got it back and everything is alright so far. The receipt said "Correction FC P1229/P1125. Reset adaptations and cleared faults." After searching for those codes, it seems to be in the throttle body area. It doesn't look like they did anything except clear the codes.

 

Kapps:

Throwing the 1125 code plus the symptoms you described are indicative of the TSB I e-mailed you.

The is intermittant in most cases. Not to armchair quarterback but they should have diagnosed the TB and the harness via the procedure outlined in the TSB.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Our dealer isn't exactly the most attentive one. I'm not sure if I should call them and refer to that TSB and ask why my issue was only resolved with a code reset. Do you have any idea of how often it might happen?

 

Not really.

I don't think clearing the codes would resolve anything. In fact, if memory serves, it resolved itself prior to you taking it to the dealer. All he did was read/clear the stored codes.

If there is a way you feel comfortable approaching your service manager and bringing up the TSB and the fact that the TSB mentions that the problem is intermittant - I would give it a shot.

 

I was wondering where/how is the best way to lookup TSB's?

 

I subscribe to a service.......

 

Here’s a source http://www.minitechinfo.com/

 

It isn't cheap but i guess if you were troubleshooting a problem, $25 for a 1 day search would be worth it. ($300/month; $2500/year)
Does it have good search capabilities? Can you search for certain symptoms?

 

Ok I contacted our SA and he said they had been following that TSB on other cars but it didn't help. He said the problems would return even with the new parts. Not very reassuring but it'll do.

All I care about is that we have documentation that the problem was found so if it pops up again (we only have 5k left on warranty), we won't have to argue too much about who pays for the parts. Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

3 potentail problems:
1) the supercharger bypass valve may be sticking-no electrical problem per se, but would throw a code. This was intermittent, but the S/C valve would stick open & dump all boost. The way to fix this is to replace with a new valve but grind down the contact points of the valve when open to prevent the unit from sticking open. As a side benefit, the valve would take longer to open, ging longer boost duration. Don't ask me how, but the butt dyno doesn't lie. This was a usual culprit as far as I'd seen when I was at the dealer.

2) the throttle body is FUBARing. Not uncommon, especially on earlier cars. Replacement is needed for this to be corrected. Sorry, no tricks here.

3) the engine harness is shorted/chaffing-otherwise faulty. This could take out the DKM or electronic throttle unit. Harness & throttle unit are required.

It IS possible that all 3 are the culprit, though that is rare. I'd start with the bypass valve & go from there. Don't worry about the warranty being up in 5k miles-if you have it documented, MINI is pretty good about standing behind the cars after warranty expiration. Goodwill policy is in by time, out by mileage under 60,000 miles. If I still worked for the dealers I'd be fired for letting that out, but since I don't ...You'll be fine. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks. The SES light came back on yesterday so we'll be taking it back to the dealer. Hopefully they diagnose it properly this time.

 

Today we were going to bring it in to the dealer over lunch. This morning, it took a long time to start but everything seemed fine (the SES light was even out). On the way to work, it went into limp home mode and my dad had the great job of driving the last 5 miles to work at 25 mph on the side of the highway. MINI towed it to the dealer and said they will order a wiring harness. It should be here Monday. I'm not even sure they diagnosed anything but at least they're starting to replace things. Hopefully it is the harness and it doesn't happen again in 3 weeks forcing them to replace the throttle body.