Here's the skinny. My MCS has 56,000 mi on it, running 93 octane, though I don't know what the previous owner ran.

Should I get my MCS up to 6000 rpms (Which I'm assuming isn't too-too high, though I know I'm getting close to the redline), the car throttles back and I have to limp to the side of the road. Check Engine, EML, and DCS lights all switch on.

If I turn her off and back on, my Check Engine light stays on, but my EML/DCS lights turn off. She runs fine- until you try and get her to 6000rpms again. The Check Engine light eventually turns off hours later.

I know I need to get the code read. Any ideas in the meantime?

 

Autozone stores usually will pull codes for free but I don't know if they have the right equipment for Minis. It's worth a shot. Post what the code(s) are here and I'm sure someone can give you an idea of what's wrong. Hope this helps!

 

+1 for that. No one will be able to help too much with out details on the codes. Go to an autozone and get it read for free.

 

The codes will give you a better answer but im thinking possibly a by-pass valve. Take a peak at it and see if anything is hanging it up. Have you had any work done recently?

 

No, I just bought this car used from a dealer. I just discovered, she doesn't limp out on me if I hit 6000RPMs in 1st gear... only in 2nd gear (or higher, I'm assuming, but I don't have enough open road out here to test 3rd gear). I'm going to check the codes tomorrow.

 

Doesn't sound like bypass valve... That shouldn't throw it into limb mode...
I am puzzled since you are running 93, detonation seems like it shouldn't happen either... what mods does it have if any???

 

Nothing. She's your stock 03 Cooper S, single owner, clean carfax. This is worrying me a fair bit. It's really, really odd that she wouldn't limp in first gear, too.

 

Yes is it... thats what got me...
Pull those codes asap and go from there... hopefully it'll be something simple...

 

OKAY, so the error code I'm getting is the common P1688.

Also... if I turn DSC off... sometimes she bonks on me... sometimes she doesn't. Strange...

 

Thats the only code???

 

Yeah. That was it. Came up twice.

 

P1688 should be "Electronic Throttle Control Monitor Level 2/3 Mass Air Flow Calculation", yes?

 

Just did a quick search on p1688 and by everyone who posted about that code it seems to be the bypass valve.

 

I did as well... that quote i threw up was from another thread on a car that was a non S..... so which one is correct?

 

BPV shouldn't throw it into limp mode...
Are you seeing any signs of yo-yo???

 

I don't think I'm seeing any signs of the yo-yo, no...

 

"Electronic Throttle Control Monitor Level 2/3 Mass Air Flow Calculation" is the P1688 code. All of the Mini's I've read about which throw that code have a bypass valve issue, and it usually does throw the car into a limp.

http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=4149

...but I'm not certain it's the bypass valve. Thoughts?