Originalkly posted "Under The Bonnet", but no replies, so I thought I would try again here:

My Service Engine Light went on while I was driving upstate NY yesterday. Had 200 miles on the tank, so it was not a loose gas cap. Was driving down a steep mountain in 3rd gear, never exceeding 3,300 RPM, drove another five miles on the flat, and it went on.

Drove 130 miles home and it is still on. Guess it's back to the dealer (4th time in 5,400 miles) to have them take a look. (along with rattles, stumble, ignition switch).

I did fill it up, and went through 3 start and stop cycles to see if it would go out. March 03 build.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Regards,
Red

 

there's a bunch of threads on this, do a "search" on "service engine light"
heres one thread: "service engine soon" light

 

One thing... if it's not the gas cap, it might be a sensor...but if it is the gas cap which is the case about 90% of the time, it'll turn itself off after about 20 starts or so.

 

I did do a search on this, but not quite good enough. Thanks!

20 cycles if it's the gas cap? On American iron it's more like 4 or 5. I guess I am going to need some sort of sensor, and another trip to the dealer. (4th in 5k miles)

Regards,
Red

_________________
<IMG SRC="https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/fyy.thumb.jpg
">Life is better MINImized CWFAC 03

 

Red
sorry to hear about your problems

 

&gt;&gt;I did do a search on this, but not quite good enough. Thanks!
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;20 cycles if it's the gas cap? On American iron it's more like 4 or 5. I guess I am going to need some sort of sensor, and another trip to the dealer. (4th in 5k miles)
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Regards,
&gt;&gt;Red

I've had the light come on two times, both times gas cap related. One: it wasn't tightened down. Two: the rubber connecting cord which had come free of the body got closed into the outer fuel door. Since then, I do all my own finish up when getting gas (I live in Oregon, where self service is still not legal!) In each case, the light took longer than a week to go out, but it did go out on its own.

 

Mine went on a little bit ago. Ended up being the PCV valve. Being sick of the service at my dealership, I actually had HELIX replace it. Eric @ Helix originally diagnosed the problem about a week BEFORE the light went on. So I had him replace it. There's a valve in a hose towards the rear left corner of the intercooler. If you give it gas in neutral, the hose should not cringe or collapse. Mine did. Obviously you'll need 2 people to try that test. It's only a $20 part so I had Helix order it and it was MORE CONVENIENT for me to drive 1/5 hrs to Helix than to have my MINI at the dealer for a full day - maybe two if they didn't have the part.

Eric also told me my power steering fan was going bad. Sure enough, 2 weeks later - today - I took my MINI in for an oil change at a different dealer - Prestige MINI in Mahwah NJ. Great people! Anyway they noticed it too and replaced the fan under warranty.

 

&gt;&gt;Mine went on a little bit ago. Ended up being the PCV valve. Being sick of the service at my dealership, I actually had HELIX replace it. Eric @ Helix originally diagnosed the problem about a week BEFORE the light went on. So I had him replace it. There's a valve in a hose towards the rear left corner of the intercooler. If you give it gas in neutral, the hose should not cringe or collapse. Mine did. Obviously you'll need 2 people to try that test. It's only a $20 part so I had Helix order it and it was MORE CONVENIENT for me to drive 1/5 hrs to Helix than to have my MINI at the dealer for a full day - maybe two if they didn't have the part.
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Eric also told me my power steering fan was going bad. Sure enough, 2 weeks later - today - I took my MINI in for an oil change at a different dealer - Prestige MINI in Mahwah NJ. Great people! Anyway they noticed it too and replaced the fan under warranty.

Who is &quot;HELIX&quot;? Independent garage? They sound good.

Anyway, my service advisor said it will take at least 15 cycles for it to go off, and if the car is running well there is probably nothing wrong. I love warranties! My other old English iron had none.

Thanks for all the help. I feel better!

Regards,
Red