Last night on the way to the babysitter. Chilly decided she was not going an inch further and died on me in the busiest intersection I could find. I rallied one last spurt of energy from her to get her to the gas station on the other side of the road, and it was there we came to rest.

Called Roadside Assistance and waited about 30 minutes (good considering the time of day). Tow truck driver dropped me home, took her to MINI of Towson, and now we wait to find out what it is wrong, and how long it will take to fix her.

1541 miles, and my second major problem. It could always be worse. I could have been in an accident. A little despondent right now (because I can't get around), but I'll wait for a diagnosis before I panic.

Just for referencing purposes - before she gave in the Service Engine Soon Light came on along with the EML light, and then the engine stalled.

I will update later today with her condition

Lolo

 

Lolo - that is a bummer for sure

 

I feel your pain....

 

I have had that happen to me, with two different minis and know how frustrating it can be. like you said, it could have been worse. Why have you got a car in the body shop 2minis? having something done or did you have an accident?

 

I made an error in judgment. I stopped
for a light in Florida. Most folks don't.

 

Had a similar problem with SES and EML lights accompanied with reduced engine power. Once while motoring at 70mph with cruise on, the other time right after a right tire spin that also caused the flat tire monitor light to come on. The EML light reset on the second restart. The SES didn't reset until the next day. (After I called my dealer.)
The fault codes indicated a bad throttle body which was replaced under warranty. They had the part overnighted. Total time in the shop three days. Service performed: Replaced cracked windshield, warranted, throttle body and installed alarm system.
Yes, a rental car was provided, but it wasn't fun to drive.

 

Sorry to hear Lolo, hope it's not serious. I'm going to Towson tomorrow for my 10,000 mile service so I'll look out for Chilly. but hopefully she'll be back in your hands before then. Much luck!

 

Thanks for all the support guys. I have been told that I need a new wiring harness. If anyone is familiar with that term please be sure to share. I'll try to get more details tomorrow.

They have the parts in stock which is a good thing and they started work on her this afternoon. I could have her back as early as tomorrow. Wish me Luck.

Cooperation I just may see you there after all.

Lolo

 

Lolo,
"The MINI wiring harness is referred to as a single piece harness. The main harness is vehicle specific depending on optional equipment"
(from my latest purchase "MINI Complete Vehicle Technical Training&quot

The harness basically connects all the electrical things together.

I would not think that your dealer could/would replace the COMPLETE wiring harness, so hopefully they just found some bad connections and are replacing them.

 

the entire wiring harness would involve ripping apart the WHOLE car, and the harness itself is wayyyy expensive. I'm with iancull on this idea; they're just replacing (or maybe repairing) a part of it.

good luck, hopefully no more problems so you can get your Motor-on!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

ya, mine is in the shop too, wont get it for another week
but im gettin some goodies installed out of it so its not that bad, sorry LOLO

 

>>MINI dies during Rush Hour.

Funny? On my radio Rush is on for three hours.

 

Actually, they may be replacing the whole thing. Several people have had problems with the wiring harness and had to have them replaced. RedBackFur (from roadfly and mini2, not sure if he posts here?) has recently had this done, and Technomage (I know he does, or used to, post here) has been waiting for his to be done for over a month now. Apparently there is a known problem with some of these, and there's a service bulletin out about it. Hope your MINI is back healthy and happy soon Lolo!

PigLick

 

Wow. Thanks for the info PigLick - even if it is a little scary.

Our heart is with you Lolo - regardless whether it's the little fix or the really big fix!

 

>>Last night on the way to the babysitter. Chilly decided she was not going an inch further and died on me in the busiest intersection I could find. I rallied one last spurt of energy from her to get her to the gas station on the other side of the road, and it was there we came to rest.
>>
>>Called Roadside Assistance and waited about 30 minutes (good considering the time of day). Tow truck driver dropped me home, took her to MINI of Towson, and now we wait to find out what it is wrong, and how long it will take to fix her.
>>
>>1541 miles, and my second major problem. It could always be worse. I could have been in an accident. A little despondent right now (because I can't get around), but I'll wait for a diagnosis before I panic.
>>
>>Just for referencing purposes - before she gave in the Service Engine Soon Light came on along with the EML light, and then the engine stalled.
>>
>>I will update later today with her condition
>>
>>Lolo
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>


Lol that sounds familiar....good luck in a few months Im sure it wont be drivable.

 

>>Thanks for all the support guys. I have been told that I need a new wiring harness. If anyone is familiar with that term please be sure to share. I'll try to get more details tomorrow.
>>
>>They have the parts in stock which is a good thing and they started work on her this afternoon. I could have her back as early as tomorrow. Wish me Luck.
>>
>>Cooperation I just may see you there after all.
>>
>>Lolo

Well, the answer to that depends if you are a man or a woman..


Sorry, that's an old mechanic joke...

 

UPDATE

Chilly came home yesterday. I was so happy, and she loved being on the Interstate once more.

They replaced the wiring harness. I understand that there are two. One carries electrical info to the Instrument Panel and so forth and the other sends info to the elctronic throttle etc.. They replaced the latter. I am not very technical so don't beat me up if something I say is not quite right.

Anyway I also mentioned that I had the cold start problem, and they said when the mechanic reprograms the car the cold start issues would be updated as well.

Baby is back and running just fine. Hubby is giving her another wash. The Service Team gave her a wash even though I did not ask for it. It was not the best job, but it got the salt off, and for that I am greatfull. Good Team at MINI of Towson.

Thanks again for all the support, I don't think I go through the little problems with this car without all of you.

An educated consumer is the best consumer.

Time to Motor..
Lolo

 

>>>>Last night on the way to the babysitter. Chilly decided she was not going an inch further and died on me in the busiest intersection I could find. I rallied one last spurt of energy from her to get her to the gas station on the other side of the road, and it was there we came to rest.
>>>>
>>>>Called Roadside Assistance and waited about 30 minutes (good considering the time of day). Tow truck driver dropped me home, took her to MINI of Towson, and now we wait to find out what it is wrong, and how long it will take to fix her.
>>>>
>>>>1541 miles, and my second major problem. It could always be worse. I could have been in an accident. A little despondent right now (because I can't get around), but I'll wait for a diagnosis before I panic.
>>>>
>>>>Just for referencing purposes - before she gave in the Service Engine Soon Light came on along with the EML light, and then the engine stalled.
>>>>
>>>>I will update later today with her condition
>>>>
>>>>Lolo
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>Lol that sounds familiar....good luck in a few months Im sure it wont be drivable.
Ant,
Why is it that every time you open your mouth you feel it is necessary to make a complete A$$ of yourself ?? As a Motoring Advisor I would think that you would want to give out useful information. Why kick a person when they are down ? You are doing yourself and the dealership you represent a disservice. You make me glad I live on the west coast. I guess with age comes wisdom.

James

 

hi guys

just wanted to also state that my mini (4300 miles) also is in the shop today for the SAME harness problem, I m really amazed at the service ive been getting thus far from pretige in Mahwah NJ. They gave me a loaner car (corolla) and hopefully MADGE will be home soon all better.

 

the harness problem fixes it so no worries. Mine was stalling A LOT. Once the harness was replaced I was good to go.

 

cool

 

Hey Ian. Where'd you get the book? (MINI Complete Vehicle Technical Training&quot

 

>>I made an error in judgment. I stopped
>>for a light in Florida. Most folks don't.

is florida fun like massachusetts- where even if it is your fault, if its on the rear of the car its automatically the guy's fault who was behind you? if so then you can claim it and replace the exhaust at no cost and your premiums stay the same... bummer though

 

Madge is home!

its like driving an entirely new car!!!

They did a great job!

 

Same thing happened to mine, EML and SES lights on. I was able to get the EML light to go out by starting it several times in succession. The only problem, the SES light stayed on but the car drove normally. I was able to drive 20 miles to the dealer.

The dealer was great, both lights were out when he checked it the next day but their testing found the bad engine wiring harness. I took two days to get the part, the same day the part came in, on a Friday, they had it installed and the car ready to go. They had the car a total of three days, I was impressed with the service. They were even going to rent a car for me if it was fixed before the weekend!!

retroom