Greetings from Los Angeles.
We have an '02 base model mini, manual 5 speed.
I'm on my 3rd DME. Keep getting a 2097 error(Bank 1 after catalyst, with a GT1 note stating "short circuit to ground".

The first time this first occurred the shop swapped out the harness, and I the DME needed replacing with a used one along with reprogramming. This lasted about 3/4 of a year. Then it happened again. Same procedure except different coding procedure I think. That lasted a year or so.

With this service engine light on, I replaced the rear o2 sensor. Didn't clear fault. Yesterday when trying to sort this out I went and borrowed a DME from a similar car (an automatic) My mechanics swapped the DME and were able to verify the car no longer had the 2097 fault or short to ground error, Indicating the "new" NTK sensor and wiring probably was in order. It was throwing a transmission error however. (mine is a 5 speed)

So here I am, about to embark on yet another DME. Has anyone experienced multiple fried DMEs? And if so, could you trace it to something other than a wiring harness or o2 Sensors? Do non NTK sensors cause DME chips to go bad? Does a short circuit to ground coming from inside the DME translate to, say other intermittent issues, something that may not show during a simple running GT1 test?

I even tried doing the reset ecu procedure where you hold the odometer reset and turn the key on. That didn't even give me the "test" screen at all. Maybe because the check engine light is on?

 

Just a shot in the dark: Maybe the O2 sensor was the culprit all along. Now that the sensor is replaced the 3rd DME might hold up.

 

I hope you are right MrBean. Can anyone tell me where I can find a proper list of part numbers to look up and make sure I am starting with the correct DME with the correct part number for a 2002 mini base model manual shift car? is there an online part number list where you can look up OEM part numbers via year and Model?

 

www.realoem.com