I’m having a rather strange problem with my 2007 Cooper S Convertible. The problem first occurred in June. I was attempting to merge onto an interstate when I lost power and the SES, EML, and Stability Control lights came on. I was able to pull onto the shoulder where I cycled the ignition a few times. The car proceeded to then run fin. After getting to my destination and being there for a few hours, I came out and started the car. Immediately the same three lights came on and the car was idling erratically – revving from about 400 to 1400 rpm’s. I had it towed to the MINI dealer where they diagnosed it as a bad throttle body motor and replaced it.

The car was fine until late August. Late one night as I was leaving work I was again merging onto a highway when the same thing happened as it did back in June. After cycling the ignition a few times the car ran okay and I was able to get home. The MINI dealer told me that the car was giving them the same codes as it had in June. So, they theorized that we had received a defective part and ordered a new throttle body motor.

While the part was on order, I kept driving the car. One day when I was driving to work it stalled at a red light and the same three lights came on. Later the same day I turned the car on and immediately it began idling erratically as described above and the three lights again came on. I cycled the ignition and was able to get it to the MINI dealer where it stayed until the part arrived. They installed it again and all seemed to be fine.

Earlier this week, I got in my car in the morning and when I started it the same problem appeared. Erratic idling and the three lights. After spending most of the day at the MINI dealer they submitted a PUMA case and suspected that the engine wiring harness needed replacing. They told me to go ahead and take the car home.

While driving home on the interstate (in the middle of three busy lanes cruising at about 70mph) the car lost power and those infamous three lights came on. I immediately turned around and went back to the dealer. It happened several more times on the way there. Each time I had to pull off the road and cycle the ignition.

Here’s the real PITA. The car will NOT act up for my technician. He’s been driving it for the past few days taking it home at night and driving it around. He’s now planning to drive it over the weekend. The car works fine for him. They know I’m not lying as there are codes in the DME. The same code – for the throttle body motor.

The kicker is that the car is out of warranty. I drive A LOT. My 2007 purchased in April 2007 has just over 62,000 miles on it. So, neither myself nor the dealer wants to randomly replace parts (like the expensive engine wiring harness) if that won’t solve the problem.
If anyone has experienced the same issue, I’d be interested in knowing. I’ve seen lots of owners online with similar issues, but always older MINI’s – 02/03/04. I must say that my servicing dealer, Downtown MINI in Orlando, FL, rocks! So far they’ve really gone above and beyond.

 

why in the world would a part that doesn't move and has no electronic parts such as resistors or relays or any other electronic component other than simple wiring be needed to be replaced is beyond me. I seriously doubt its a wiring harness... sounds like your dealer wants to take the easy way out and replace everything as a general cure.

Sounds to me that you have an ignition problem. Something got wet, or is just wearing out since you drive your car extremely hard. What have you done maintenance wise so far? There are many things you can do yourself to save money.. look at all the components and see for yourself.. does anything look PHYSICALLY wrong? Broken wires, worn plugs... maybe wiggle stuff around while its idling to see if it changes something.. Your dealer should have a way of testing the throttle body ( which I doubt is the problem)

 

If you live near Orlando you should let Eddie from 1FastMINI look at it and see if he can figure it out. Give him a call at 321-284-4772. He's really good!