Hey guys,

I had a shop do my clutch. I did my water pump and my thermostat. It took quite a bit of pulling the car apart, but it's done and the cooling system is working just fine. However, I'm getting a half engine light on my tachometer indicating the engine won't allow me to access full power.

I'm unsure as to why. I can't recall if it was on after the clutch and I never noticed, but it's staying on. Anytime I've seen it in the past it would usually go off.

Any ideas?

EDIT:

I forgot to mention one other thing. There is a small whine that corresponds with my RPMs, but I cannot determine the whine unless the car is actually in forward motion. Sitting in neutral and revving does not make the whine happen.

 

Did you plug into your OBDII port to see if any faults are present? What are the symptoms - Is it in fact acting as if it's at reduced power?

 

Is it driving like there is a reduced amount of power. I forgot to mention one other thing. There is a small whine that corresponds with my RPMs, but I cannot determine the whine unless the car is actually in forward motion. Sitting in neutral and revving does not make the whine happen.

I went to a local parts store and it returned no code so I'm clueless.

 

Need more info, year, mileage, engine?

Is it a high pitch whine or a low pitch whine? Also how hard are you driving (example: rpm & load) when you hear the whine? First thing that comes to my mind is a failing bearing in the turbo, moderate to high rpms turbo spins faster.

If I were you I would stay away from Mini dealers and take it to a reputable shop that specializes in Mini's most have code readers sufficient enough to read your ECU's codes.

Edited:
The fact that you clearly hear a growling whine suggests something is obviously going out, could also be a failing vacuum pump and if that goes it could take out the entire engine. Refrain from driving your Mini unless diagnosing it.

 

Most generic codes readers wont pull dealer codes. You may need to visit a qualified MINI indy shop or the dealer. Could be a something simple or something more complex. Some info HERE and HERE.

 

It's almost like a growling whine, but it's so hard to hear over my Borla exhaust. For example, as I pull away in 1st it progresses louder and more prominently the higher I go in RPMs. Same for 2nd. By the time I'm in 3rd it's no longer noticeable.

Most of the time I'll switch around 3.5-4 unless merging to a highway. The turbo boost is incredibly minimum and I hear absolutely no whistle.

I really hope it's not my turbo. I've already had to do an engine swap, clutch, thermostat, water pump, and not to mention regular maintenance for this car and I'm still SO FAR at negative equity on it.

 

Went to a different local parts store... Code P0018 showed that my coolant temp sensor was failing.

It was pretty cold today... Also not getting hot air unless at high RPMs. Possibly not fully connected or do I need a new one?

 

Don't believe that is a MINI specific code. The Bentley Manual does not have P0018 code listed, but from Googling I found Crankshaft Position Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A. However, P0118 - Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit High. Are you sure it wasn't that code?

That being said, check this thread HERE. You'll want to make sure you don't have the sensors plugged into the wrong positions. Look at post #14 in specific for sensor plug location references. You can also use our tech article to make sure yours are in the correct spot as well. Let me know what you find.

 

Yes. You're correct on the code. I had a typo. I'll check that thread soon.

 

So, I went to go make sure the CTS was in properly. I looked at it and everything looked fine so it must be a bad sensor. But then, I went ahead and undid the clip to the sensor to remove and inspect it. The clip flung off the sensor and now I can't find it or close off the top of the thermo housing. Does anybody know if I could find this at a local store?

 

Are you talking about the green clip by the brown sensor? (Green arrow below).



If so, it's #7 below. HERE for the part number. If you have a dealer near you or possibly a MINI indy shop, they might have something on hand for you.



If the connectors are plugged into the right locations, then check and make sure there are no loose or damaged wires. Do you have the old sensor by chance? Could plug that one in and see if the code goes away to test your current one.

 

MINI of Plano, TX sent me a clip for free so shout out to them for their generosity.

I am talking about the green one. That is the sensor. Does a new thermo come with a new sensor? I can't recall if mine did or did not but I am about to go dig through my trash for the old thermo.

 

Yes, the new thermostat should have come with a new sensor. Pictured below, you can see it on the bottom by the bleed screw.



Most of what I have run across when this code appears after installing a brand new thermostat, it's a connector not being plugged into the right spot, a wire issue, or a faulty thermostat unit.

 

Well what that means is that the new thermostat I ordered from PP came with a bad sensor. It was OEM.


I have the old one in the trash and I just dug it out. It got rained on, though. I'm going to pull the old sensor and the clip out of it and use those... Currently having trouble getting the sensor out right now... Do not know why.

 

Let me know what you find out and if it is in fact a faulty unit we provide a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty and will get a new one shipped out to you ASAP.

Using pliers, pull the sensor out of the thermostat (red arrow). If the sealing O-ring does not come out with the sensor, use the pick to remove it from the housing (green arrow).



As an added note: Sometimes the electrical connector cover will remain in the old sensor (red arrow). If this happens the connector will be exposed and not center in the sensor properly (green arrow). Pull the cover out of the sensor. Then press it back onto the connector (yellow arrow).

 

Well, I bought the whole thermostat from you guys and that seems to function just fine. The P0118 code has to do with voltage to the sensor. I still do not understand how to solve that problem. If that means it's a bad sensor, I need you to send me a new sensor. I do not want to have to replace the thermostat again.

The sensor (new one) is still connected to my car but disconnected from the thermostat. I cannot for the life of me get the clip on it to clamp it in... Need like miniature hulk hands and a perfect angle.

Going to post pictures/video soon.

 

This is the sensor I got with my thermo. I'm going to upload a video and post a link in a second.

EDIT:

http://connorbowlan.com/new-thermo.mov