anyone else getting woried about all these failures on this part?

Is 2007 the first model year for these parts that are failing?

 

Sorry to hear others are still waiting -- I'm told mine's ready and I go pick it up tomorrow. Steering angle sensor, the alternator cable recall, and the secret compartment all done.

I hope the right module went in...given that there's different varieties...

 

Um, what alternator cable recall? Can't find anything about it in my search.

 

Recall may be a little strong. It's been a long day.

I believe it's one of those service bulletins where they'll replace it at the first maintenance or warranty repair visit. Like the secret compartment.

 

Details, man! I'm heading out of town in a couple of weeks, and I don't want trouble on the way. My SA continually insists there are no recalls or service bulletins for the MCS other than the SZL, cruise control, and secret compartment.

 

Found this at MINI2 (I'll post details once I have my receipt)

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...nt-recall.html

There's a few references to this, but one other thread refers to it as a "Quality Enhancement", meaning that they'll look at it when it's in for service.

If yours is in, I'd give the SA a call and ask about it. Can't hurt. Folks refer to Dec and Jan builds though, right on the cusp of the first US builds.

 

Hmmm. I have a week 3 build. Guess I'd better check this out!

 

Thread title changed to better reflect the issue.

 

are all these steering angle sensor's being replaced with a new part number? Or they just simply fail, so we all get to deal with this for the next 5 years or until the cars are sold

 

Thank you Edge!

Picked up my car today. Receipt sez:

Bracket steering column switch (coil spring cartrige/ctrl unit sterring column switch cluster SZL) Software error. internal device fault.

They replaced and reprogrammed.

Looks like part for switch on mine was

61-31-3-451-893

Total hours for that looks like 0.18

Also they tightened alternator cable as mentioned above (SIB 12-02-07), and unlocked my secret compartment.

Had to re-pair my phone (and it's actually working better than before, it picked up my address book this time!) and redo my radio stations and some of my default preferences.


And I do hope this is all replaced with a part that has had whatever flaw these had fixed.

 

Finally picked up the car after 3 days in the shop. Replaced the part and that seems to have done the job with the exception of replacing my steering wheel crooked . Going back tomorrow. Mountain view mini.

 

I'm still waiting for my version of the switch "to be released."

 

Deb, it's like clockwork on what can happen to our cars. I had the malfunction start up yesterday. I'm calling the service folks today. I'm already waiting on the part for the secret compartment fix.

 

True--and I'm still waiting. I called my SA yesterday and someone else is waiting for the version we need, too.

The secret compartment should be in unless they don't have the interior color you need. In my case it's Fluid Silver and it took a while to figure out the problem (they kept getting the locked ones in on the same part number), but now all is resolved.

 

so is there a new part number?

Or are they just putting in the same part, I'm wondering if there's a big recall on the way

I know one thing, if my car is undriveable because of a safety feature (steering/brakes) or because it's sat for 30 days in the first 2 years of ownership, I'm lemon lawing it and getting a new one

 

I don't know if you'll be able to get a lemon law ruling on this, at least here in Texas. State laws vary, though.

It really isn't a safety issue except for the DSC being off, but that's an option anyway. The ABS works (I needed it today!). The brake idiot light is for the parking brake. ABS has its own idiot light. The turn signal thing is a PITA, but not a safety issue.

Frankly, I'm happy with the car even with these nickel-and-dime issues. I figured I'd have some teething problems with a new model, and I've also had minor problems with other new cars. After all, the secret compartment was a manufacturing decision, not a maintenance problem.

 

I'm in line for this fix, too. It's funny...I get no error for days and days, and then it just blips out at the oddest times. Turning the car off and on clears it. I'll be glad to have it fixed...but the car is performing superbly.

 

Mine's been on all the time since it first malfunctioned.

 

I just got these warning lights on this morning as I was leaving work. Pulled over to check the manual as to what they meant. The brake light and DSC lights were on and manual said I could continue to drive but do so cautiously. It also recommended having the vehicle checked ASAP. Dealership was on my way home so I stopped in. On the way there I noticed my wipers and blinkers doing odd things. Diagnosis: SZL failure. Part is on order and I have an '06 loaner. They couldn't tell me off hand how long to get the part in but I should hopefully know more in a few days. My SA did say that one R56 that had this problem that presented in June only just got repaired because the part had been on national backorder. It sat at the dealership for 4 months!!! I sure hope Scarlett's part comes soon.......I'm missing her terribly!

 

Why not drive it? It's not a big deal, IMO. I'm waiting for a different SZL than the ones currently in the pipeline, and no way am I parking it! Just be aware you don't have DSC, but then again, I turn that off during autocrosses anyway.

 

My advice would be to keep your car at home, confirm with the Dealer that it is a safety issue and that you will hold them and MINI fully responsible for any mishaps, say that you are aware that this is a prevalent problem and that MINI is aware of the problem, and demand that they provide you with a suitable replacement if they can't fix it in a reasonable time. Mine sat in the shop 4 weeks waiting on the part. Some dealers are hording them because they know it's a problem. Put the squeeze on your dealer and the parts department and MINI. There is no excuse for not shipping replacement parts simply because they are maintaing their production schedule. It's a breach of warranty. Good luck!

 

The shop at my dealership looked at the codes to determine that, yes, that was the problem so I could get in line for a part. Whether I could safely drive it never was in question. Seems it's not a problem.

 

ok...quote them the rationale for the DSC and say that if it doesn't work when you need it, then they will be responsible. It's a system designed to prevent accidents. Alls fair in love and war. My sa convinced MINI to keep me in a loaner for a month on this basis. Yours should too.

 

Yeah, but DSC is an option, not standard equipments. Lots of MINIs rolling around without it.

My SA says MINI "hasn't released the part," so it's not a dealer problem at this point. They have the other type of SZL, and even tried to use it instead, with no luck.

 

Got the call that my secret compartment is done and the SZL part was in stock and all is working again. Picking up my car in the morning.