The programmed refurbished ECU has shipped back to me and is showing delivery tomorrow. We'll reinstall the ECU and EWS and hopefully get the car running again. With any luck, maybe some of the warning light gremlins we've been experiencing over the past couple years will be fixed as well.

 

Researching the CAN bus some more, I think I've found that our car, equipped with ASC, does not have/need a Steering Wheel Angle Sensor installed.

That's one of the just 5 modules connected to the CAN bus making it even easier to disconnect each module one at a time to try to figure out which module is causing so much trouble.

Disconnecting the ABS module is pretty simple and easy to get to.

Disconnecting the transmission module isn't too terrible, up above the foot pedals.

We didn't ever disconnect the IKE, which I read is technically the Speedo, or whatever car is equipped with that resides in the center of the dash.

Disconnecting the ECU is very easy in the engine compartment. But I don't know if that could possibly cause communication issues since the terminating resistor is located inside it (other one is in the IKE).

Viewing the CAN HI and Lo with each module disconnected on an oscilloscope may prove much more helpful that just checking voltages on a digital multimeter, but something is better than nothing.

 

Received the ECU, EWS, and key back today.

Here’s the money shot phot of checking resistance on pins 29, 30 of preprogrammed refurbished ECU. 120 Ohms!

 

Reinstalled the EWS and ECU in the car.

Started the engine and took a short drive. Still had warning lights and EP transmission code.

Put the code scanner on the OBD port and read codes. Cleared every single code and they finally stayed clear.

Turned on the car and no warning lights and no EP error on the speedo!!!!!!!

Car is running great. I hope it lasts.

Thanks to everyone on this thread, especially deepgrey, for all of the assistance.

My teenage daughter (3rd generation driver of this original family owned ‘05 Purple Haze R53) is back behind the wheel of the coolest MINI at school. Lol

My favorite pic of the car here…

 

I'm glad I could help and even happier that the issue is solved! Also, thanks for putting up with me - I learned quite a lot about CAN that I hadn't ever bothered to dig into.

 

That’s a great pic!

Curious, does the paint code sticker on the passenger strut tower say Black-Eye Purple or Purple Haze?

 

Mine built Nov 2005 reads Black-Eye Purple. I think all did worldwide, with Purple Haze named only for MINI USA marketing objectives...

 

Yes, this is how I’ve understood it as well. Both are cool names for a cool color. We put some red MINI center caps on last night that really pop on this wheel/color combo.

 

Thanks for the confirmation. I wasn’t sure as I heard Purple Haze was used in the US because Black Eye Purple wasn’t politically correct. I was always wondering if it went all the way to the paint code sticker.