So I have a question, I am on a need to know stint right now cause things have been hitting me left and right with the MINI and trying to figure it out, and my question is can you reset the computer by unpluggin the battery for say 10 to 20min or maybe even over night? I know that a lot of the car runs off software and would it be lost by doing this? I know my Spec V was natorious for getting accustomed to how you drove and if you had any kind of reader like an APEX'I Neo you would have to reset the OBC(onboard computer) every so often cause it would drift and cause your reading to get messed up. It probably isn't possible but, I wanted to ask and I am going to see if it is possible to purchase one of these programs the BMW has that does the software updates on the MINI. I know Nissan had the Consult II and you could purchase those from various places but it was at the tune of 3K and that was not worth it. Thanks for the help in advance and maybe something can be figured out.

 

As for resetting the car, I think it's: unplug the battery, then press the brake pedal.

 

What will hitting the brake do? There won't be any power so the OBC won't know.

 

I don't know but I could have sworn I read that somewhere once on here. I could be wrong.

 

Ya it obviously is an untapped subject apparently no one wants to answer cause no body is that brazen to try it. I just might.

 

After reading thru all the reset procedures listed in the wiring and maintenance manuals they all talk about having the diagnostic computer connected when doing a reset of the CCC (Central Car Computer).

There is no mention of any "disconnect battery for x time and a reset will happen"

Now that is not to say that there is not such a thing but it is not something that has been given to the techs in any written documents.

 

On most cars, that's how you do a 'soft' reset on the ECU.. I had to do that on my Subaru many a time. Pressing the brake pedal after disconnecting the battery will cause the brakelights to come on, thus draining any residual charge left in the system. That would make it forget any learned data it obtained as well as part of the reprogramming I did on the thing. Dunno if doing this on the MINI would accomplish anything though.

 

Ya thats what I am trying to figure out but I also don't want to erase all the software and not be able to drive my car.

 

Disconnecting your battery won't erase the stuff required to make your car work unless something goes terribly wrong.

I've disconnected my battery many times. Hopefully your battery was disconnected when the boost gauge was installed.

 

Yes it was I know better. I was just asking for the fact that if you get a SES light they tend to go away if you disconnect the battery over night. At least it work on my Spec V.