My car should be ready for pickup today after 26 days at the dealer for multiple overheats. The most recent overheats were traced to a head that was slightly warped. Problem is, MINI won't authorize the dealer to reinstall my driving lights...they still think the lights could be causing the issue. If I choose to put them on and another overheat occurs, there's a chance I'm buying the next overheat (unless a failed part is clearly identified. So unless another incident occurs with my lights uninstalled , I can't put my lights back on unless I'm prepared to accept that risk or fight them in court.

What is the easiest (economy being a factor as well) way to measure the water temperature? I'm thinking drive around without the lights, get the car warm, and measure the temps. Then, bolt on the lights and repeat, looking to see if the water temp increases. Thinking Scan Gauge II but that ain't cheap.

 

You can put your MINI's computer into self test mode and it will show you exact water temp. I'll have to see if I can find the steps to do this...

k

 

Found this in one of the forums, don't remember where - coolant temp is item 7.0 following the instructions. Proceed at your own risk:




The information displays in place of your odometer, so you DO NOT have to have the MINI OBC/Trip Computer option to see this.

A complete list of functions is below, this example is how to get into the menu number '7'.

1. With the key in the ignition, but in the off position, press and hold down the odometer reset button, while holding the button down, switch the key in the ignition to position 1.
2. The screen will say 'Test' and a number.
3. Scroll through, (pressing reset button) through to test 19 and wait a moment.
4. Wait and the message will say "log i-off" then "log i-on" and back to "log i-off" again. When "log i-off" appears, press again. You are now in the system.
5. You can (if you wish) start the ignition any time from now.
6. Scroll through to test 7.0 (or whichever from the list below) and wait a moment, after a pause you will enter the test 7.* range of information.
7. You can scroll through now (7.1,7.2,7.3 etc.) using the reset button.
8. You can exit each menu by pressing, holding for a few seconds, then releasing the reset button.
9. To leave the system scroll to 19 and leave it for a few moments.
   Switching off the ignition also exits the system.

Test:

1.0 Chassis number
1.1 Kilometer count
1.2 Parts number
1.3 Coding-, Diagnostic- and Bus-index
1.4 Production Date (Calender week/year)
1.5 Hard- and Software status
1.6 Injectorstatus, Cylinder count, Engine factor.

2.0 Combisystem Test

3.0 Service intervall counter

4.0 Actual fuel consumption in l/100km. eg.0154 = 15,4 liters/100kms.
4.1 Consumption in liters/100kms.

5.0 Distance consumption in l/100kms.
5.1 Actual rest distance with available fuel in Kms.

6.0 Actual amount of fuel in tank. eg. 123321 =12,3liters left 32,1 liters right
6.1 Total amount of fuel in tank.
6.2 Show value of Fuel guage. 1= both senders OK, 2= sender failure, 3=ti signal unplausible (no reading)

7.0 Actual coolant temp.
7.1 Actual outside temp.
7.2 Actual engine revs.
7.3 Actual speed

8.0 Hexadecimal readings of menu 7.0 to 7.3

9.0 Actual on board voltage (Battery)

10.0 Land codes

11.0 Unit codes

12.0 No funktion

13.0 Gong test

14.0 - 14.4 On board diagnostic codes. eg 000000 = no failures

15.0 - 18.0 No funktion

19.0 On/Off for Test menu.

20.0 Correction factor for Fuel consumption
Formula for correction:
Shown consumption x 1000 / user defined consumption
Push the trip reset button to begin the correction. Numbers count up from 0-9, when correct number shows push trip reset button.

20.1 Sets 10ths. for consumption factor
20.2 Sets 100ths. and 1000ths. for consumption factor
20.3 Saves the new consumption factor and shows new value

21.0 Software reset. (Same as disconnecting battery)

 

I'd just get the ScanGauge. I have one hooked up and am monitoring water temp among other things. Very simple to hook up and use.
With that hooked up I'd drive a week without the lights installed and see how it goes. Then hook up the lights and see if there is a change. I have two lights down where yours are and have never seen a change in temps.

 

The info Ken posted works great if you want a cheap way of monitoring actual coolant temperature. It's not really a viable solution for long-term monitoring (you have to re-initiate it every time you start the car) but it does work.

 

I agree with the ScanGauge II. You can monitor both the water temp and the intake temp to see what is going on. It is much more accurate than the stock gauge. This should also allow you to keep from more overheats.

You are correct it is not a real low cost option but I think Wayland had them for about $150. Also you can move it to other cars if not needed in the MINI.

 

If the test mode is dynamic (displayed value keeps of with current values versus taking a "snapshot" in time), that may work for me.

OTOH, this gives me an excuse to buy another cool toy...

 

ScanGauge II

 

Long shot here but can the Scangauge 2 read the boost or Map on the Mini?

 

Probably a dumb question, but is Scanguage II easy to install in the Mini? I mean, for a true neophyte? I hate buying stuff that says "easy to install..." or "quick and easy..." and then it turns out not to be the case. I'm interested in getting one, as altho I've loved every one of my 18,000 (trouble-free, knock on wood!) miles, I'm still not used to not having some ready reference for coolant temp.

 

Easy ... mount the Scangauge with provided velcro strips, run the cable to the OBD II port and plug it in.

Do a Search Titles Only for "scangauge" and you'll find threads with pictures of mounting locations.

 

And Yes, the ScanGauge displays MAP, and can be programmed to convert that to approximate boost.

 

Yes it is easy to install. I have mine in the left corner of the dash so it is out of the way but you can read it as easy as any factory gauge. You simply tread the wire through the dash to the ODB port and plug it in.
With the optional programing in the SGII you are set for many of any ECU reading.