Hello Forum and thank you for being here for information!. I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible, manual transmission. Yesterday the wife was driving in traffic when all the dash lights came on, the vehicle when into limp mode, and Zero power steering. Thankfully she was able to get it off the street and into a parking lot. Long story short the serpentine belt was in five pieces. I replaced the belt and did not notice any damage to the tension rollers or other pulleys. Today, was the first day for us to drive the car after changing the belt. The dash lights came on and the vehicle went into limp mode. You can turn the car off and restart normally and drive for about two min and the same thing happens.

Now, I might be crazy but it appears this only occurs with the A/C is on. I turned the A/C off and drove for about eight miles with no issue. Once I turned the A/C on we drove for under a min until the same thing occurred. Dash Lights on, car shifts into limp mode. Turn A/C off and it seems to be fine?.

Has anyone seen this before? open to suggestions or experience!!

Thank you

 

A/C compressor is on the way out. When it is off, the clutch freewheels, and all spins normally. When you engage, I suspect it locks up, and is chewing up the belt. You need to see it happen when stopped, at idle. But be careful, as it could go again.