The Service Engine Soon light on my 2006 Mini with only 1334 miles will not go off - after turning the car off and then starting up again one hour later and driving around for about 1/2 hour. I called the dealer service department and was told not to worry because the light just may go off on it's own......and then I was given a Service Engine Soon date of Aug. 9th. Does this sound reasonable? Should I be more concerned? Should I just wait and if so, for how long?

 

I cant believe that the dealer just said "oh just wait a little while, it'll go off." I would take it in when you have the time. I have a 2005 MCSa and the SES, EML, and DSC came on withing the first 2k miles. It seems that some people have a few initial problems, but it nothing to worry about.

 

To put your mind at ease.. You might find someone with a OBDII code reader near by. I think that some AutoZone stores have one for use too (rental fee??).. Once you get the code and look up the error - You can than determine if it IS a serious problem or not...

SES ligths cover everything from the non critical things like a loose gas cap to major issues (engine gone :-)..

In all likely hood it is a minro thing for you (such a new Mini)... But I hate looking at that SES light while I am driving..

Good luck

 

The dealer sucks. No way should that have been the answer. They should have said "bring it on in and we'll scan the car, how is 2:30 for you?"

In todays age of computer controlled cars, you cannot be an informed consumer without a scan tool. At worst, you spend the $75 and never use it. You will be able to see what systems are acting up on your own, and the best feature is that you will KNOW what the car is complaining about, and you can check if your repair shop isn't BSing you about what's needed.

Check the local auto parts store flyers. They go on sale. They will work on all your (newer) cars.

Matt

 

I got told the same thing.
I took it in anyway. Turns out it was nothing,
and the light eventually went out on its own,
but I had to be sure because I heard too many
horror stories about this.
Sometimes I swear these service people dont
even care.

 

my SES light just came on last week. I called the dealer and they said it could be a number of things. They asked me to bring the car in and they'll take a look at it. After reading some other threads on this board, i decided to troubleshoot the problem myself prior to bringing the car in.

I unscrewed the gas cap and tightened it back in. Fill the coolant reservoir to the MAX level. I didn't have any antifreeze on hand so I just filled it with some drinking water. The SES light went off for a few days, so I cancelled my service appt. But unfortunately, the SES light came back on this morning, and I called my dealer again to reschedule the appt. for tomorrow. I let you guys know what the problem is after my visit tomorrow.

 

Yeah, check a few obvious things (like gas cap and fluid levels) and if it's not those, take it in.

SES light coming on is not something normal that should be ignored. Might be something very minor, but still not normal.

 

My SES light has been coming on periodically. It will go off after about 3-4 cycles of driving and getting the car up to temp. The MINI does a diagnostic each time and if there's no problem (read faulty SES code), it resets. My code says it's a faulty knock sensor.
I am going to take it in even though it's obviously a faulty code and there's nothing wrong with the car. They had better fix it, or they'll be seeing a lot of me.
I spent too much money on this car to have a big orange light in my face very fer weeks.

 

ok guys, i just came back from Alexander MINI in Los Angeles for the SES problem. They determined the problem was a faulty oxygen sensor. They replaced the part while I waited. I was out of there in about 1-1/2 hour. The service advisor Hector was very friendly and helpful at that dealership. for Alexander MINI.

 

well i had 2000 miles on my 2006 RG MCS and the service engine soon light came on, for me it was a faulty supercahrger valve that was covered under warranty it went on and off cause it was only loose, I would bet that thats the problem

 

Thanks for all 17 replies......I have a service date for Aug. 9 and plan to take a copy of your replies to the dealer.....just to ensure that we MINI Cooper drivers are a team......will let you know what the dealer found for the SES soon light coming on.

 

It's nice when that light goes out... Mine came on at 25,523 miles. Called the dealer (Prestige in NJ) and they said bring it in. I told them I couldn't and had to drive long distance over the weekend. They said no problem as long as the fluid levels were okay it was probably just a sensor or filter.
Brought it in the next available day for me and they diganosed this:

INTERROGATED FAULT MEMORY AND FOUND DME P0136
REPROGRAMMED AS PER SIM 12 02 05 DEFECT 12 14 90 13 00

Basically they upgraded the software and I SWEAR it seems as though my gas mileage got a little better ever since then... No complaints. Free of charge of course.

 

"Service Engine Soon" light resolved by Sterling as:
INT. FAULT MEMORY. FOUND FAULT P0456 FOR MINOR LEAK IN TANK VENT SYSTEM. SMOKE TESTED SYSTEM FOR LEAKS - NONE FOUND. VACUUM TESTED TANK VENT VALVE-OK. REPLACED LEAK DIAGNOSIS PUMP
PERFORM EXTENSIVE TEST DRIVE. OK.