This is an on board diagnostic function of the IHKA (BMW geek speak for climate control) that provides three test modes. Mode 1:Read fault memory; Mode2:Calibration run (this is what I refered to in my original post); Mode3: Manual check of functions.

On my 2002 Cooper the diagnostic function can be accesed by simultaneously pressing the OFF button and the blower PLUS switch for approximately 2-3 seconds with the ing switch in position 2.

The display panel will show a single streamer bar for Mode 1 - read fault memory. Keep pressing the OFF button to scroll through all the modes; a second and third streamer bar respectively will appear to indicate the mode.

To enter a particular Mode, press the AUTO button when that Mode is displayed.

To exit turn off the ignition switch.

If no faults are present 00 is displayed; otherwise a fault code will appear.
Mode 2 will perform a calibration run of the servo motors responsible for actuation the flaps in the HVAC distribution box below the dashboard; if you listen carefully you can hear the flaps moving. This is useful to diagnose a problem where ther is no air flow to the footwell (common failure on Cooper). If the system is able to cycle the servos through full range of motion with no errors, the motor and electronics are fine. keep in mind that the feedback sensors are located inside the servo. So if the test passed it means the motor moved...but the flap may not have moved because the linkage is broken. The fix is to remove the entire dash and replace the broken flap.

There is a way to perform this diagnostic on all vehicles with climate control....without the use of expensive Dealer only tool. the diagnostics is built into the dash..all you need is your fingers.

pardon the long winded post and I hope this helps. Please advise of any further questions.

 

That's good info. Thanks for posting it. I'll give it a try sometime on my '03 MCS.

 

nope. My '87 325 does it....

 

Wow, didn't know that. thanks.

 

DSC will kick in when in Reverse.

Also, when the tires are spinning in the snow, the speedometer reads actual speed, not the speed of the spinning tires. My previous 02 Civic and 06 Civic would both read the spinning tire speed.

weird.


Hope those aren't reposts, I did read through half of the posts.

 

How did we come up with that info I wonder? Forget to hit the switch in that big parking lot reverse donut? I hate when that happens. . You need the dsc to get the speed up then it kills the drift.

 

haha, actually it was getting stuck in the snow backing out of my driveway. Haven't done any donuts in the mini, can't afford any tickets

 

I have an '06 S and when the windshield wipers are on and you stop, they will slow down, but when youspeed up again they will go back to normal. Thought that was pretty smart!

 

Well I'm not about to read 45 pages of this thread to find out if someone's already posted this but...

If you have factory LSD and DSC, you get a different traction program that allows for more slippage before DSC takes control, this is because the LSD provides traction up past the point where non-LSD cars would lose traction.

Of course, I find that on a dry day with DSC turned off I get BETTER traction with my LSD than with the power-robbing traction control!!

 

That's why you need LSD! I did this exact thing last night... no DSC on, 75% traction in snow, great donuts because there's nothing preventing wheel spin!!

 

How do I activate the daytime running lights and deactivate the automatic door locking?

 

^ You don't -- your dealer does.
Some will do for free -- most will charge anywhere from $25 to $100.

 

:impatient Wow...thanks for the info.

 

Is there anyway mere mortals can program the system? Some of us are well versed in the arcane arts of mind-melding with silicon.

 

Some mechanics can do it, so there should be a way for regular humans to do it as well, so long as you have the gear.

 

Well, I have a large variety of computer gear available. What does it take? I've seen gear that allows you to hook up your PC to an OBD II port. Something similar must exist somewhere, if only in the development labs at BMW.

 

Talk to some SCCA guys. I see them hook up laptops to their cars all the time. I think you need the software, not just the hardware. If you figure it out, let us know. I'd love to be able to change some settings on my own.

 

First-time Mini Cooper owner here (2004 MC BRG/White Top and Side Mirrors), and after driving her for a week, I can assuredly state that I will never own another car.

Fascinating thread - have three pages of notes for things I need to play with as soon as Minnesota weather/temps allow me (no heated garage here!) - but I have an immediate question:

How does one get to the Owner's Lounge on the Mini site to get the unoffical owner's manual (or even the official one)? The site seems to be down - I've tried it both through IE and Firefox.

 

I tried MINIUSA last week for the first time in about a year and I found it to be exceptionally SLOW. Felt like I was on dial-up. I thought it was my computer. Glad I'm not alone. The unofficial owners manual is a thin little booklet of cutsie stuff--nothing of value if you're thinking it's a manual w/specs, etc.

 

^ Thanks. The main site comes up just fine - it's just when I go to the Owner's Lounge.

Eh, I figured the 'unofficial' OM would be a bit silly - in fact, I think I've seen it before. I've love to have the electronic version of the real manual so I can access it on my PC.

 

It puts a big grin on my fiancee's face. Well, for that matter.......so do I!

 

PM me. I've got a copy around here somewhere.

 

You can download the unofficial owner's manual from MotoringFile. All of the manuals are there--go to the front page and scroll down to the Downloads panel.

 

Many thanks to everybody who pointed me in the right direction and/or provided downloads via e-mail! I highly recommend the MotoringFile web site - jam-packed with good information!

 

Factory fog lights will only work with headlights on (lowbeam) if parking lights are on and Fog Lights enabled (green light on switch) the Fog Lights will only go on if the E-Brake is on.