I'm confused.
My '05 Cooper has had the Service Engine light go on and off. It'll be on for a few hours, then turn off for a day, then go back on for 2 days etc.... I've wiggled the gas cap, always made sure that it's clicked and that fixed the light a couple of times but now it's back on again with no amount of clicking having it turn off. I only have 15,000 miles on the car and the oil was changed a few weeks back. Anyone have any input or experience with the same happening? I know the engine light will go off if the computer diagnoses that there isn't a problem anymore... But should I worry and race to the garage or is this something that can wait a week until I have time to bring the car in without disrupting my crazy schedule?

 

the engine light is turning on because the computer is finding an emissions fault. if your cars driving and acting normal with the light on then it would be ok to drive until you can get it checked out. if its acting up then you should get it checked out as soon as you can.

it sounds like it maybe an evap emissions fault. possible the gas cap seal is bad and leaking pressure or something else in the system is not holding pressure ro working the way the dme wants it to.

 

Mine is doing exactly the same thing. I have a service appointment tomorrow, I'll post up the results. I'm just about at 20K miles on an '06. No driveability problems or reduced mileage, and I've done at least 150 miles with the light coming and going. Some of those miles were pretty hard, but I've spent a lot of time stuck in traffic lately. Meh, we'll see what happens.

 

Light just went on/ also the gas gauge misreading.
I"ll check the cap and make an appointment. "06 MCS w/ 6500 miles.

 

Well, in my case it turned out to be a pre-cat O2 sensor. Diagnosed and replaced in under 2 hours, plus a nice wash and a pack of MINI playing cards.

Contrast that to Chrysler warranty service where they make you sit on a folding chair and hit you with a broomstick while they run your car into a pole. Not that I'm bitter.

 

Thanks for all the input. The car seems to be driving fine but I've noticed that sometimes I can smell emissions so I'm going to go and have it checked out.

 

My car (06 cooper cabrio) is back from a 2 week vacation at the dealer.

The cause for the check engine lamp warning was a small crack in a charcoal canister located above the gas tank.

It looks like the problem had been there from day one. The tabs that hold it in place were over tightened at the factory and cracked the container.

Cheers,
Jack

 

I recently had the same problem before a long vacation trip and was fortunate to have a service appt. already scheduled the day after the light came on. Service said they could find no fault but that was most likely the Oxygen sensor. They reset the it but it came back on after returning to work. Has been intermittent since then. I'll get them to replace the sensor under warranty at the next time I'm in for any work. I have about 25000km on my 2005 Mini.

 

I recently had the same problem before a long vacation trip and was fortunate to have a service appt. already scheduled the day after the light came on. Service said they could find no fault but that was most likely the Oxygen sensor. They reset the it but it came back on after returning to work. Has been intermittent since then. I'll get them to replace the sensor under warranty at the next time I'm in for any work. I have about 25000km on my 2005 Mini.

 

A knowledgable mini friend of mine says bad gas can cause this, mine went on after a tank of cheap Regular (another friend borrowed the car and did me a "favor" to fill it. I don't mind, not their fault, but a bummer. Seems to go on at 1/4 tank now, then off after a fill up and 5-6 starts. I'm going to have it checked...