Hi gang,

2005 MCS with 58K miles...service 2 performed at 53K miles along with complete brake job and P/S pump replacement (in October.) Driving home from work today I noticed the low tire pressure warning light came on so I pulled over to check my tires and all appeared to be holding air just fine. The traction control light was lit and would not reset. Car seemed to be running fine. Got on the freeway and coolant temp indicator start to move erratically and then the check engine light came on. Temp stabilized while on the freeway but once close to home and in traffic the indicator would move up when stopped but move quickly down when moving again. Got home and shut down. Checked tire pressures and they were all little low but ok (27lbs each.) Let the car cool down and after the kids were down for the night checked my coolant level. The resevoir tank was almost empty. Picked up some Prestone 50/50 and brought it up to the min mark. No obvious leaks from the coolant tank that I could see. Fired up the car and same problems as before - needle instantly to the red, DSC light, tire pressure light and check engine light on. Just moving the car into the driveway I noticed the speedometer needle jumping around like the temp gauge. Car hasn't been on for almost three hours at this point so it doesn't seem like it should be overheating. When moving the car I notice the A/C light is out and won't come on (manual A/C.)

Car is out of warranty...hate to take it back to the stealership. I'm in South Orange County (San Clemente) so any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Check the battery. It has been recorded that the dash lights go mad when battery is low.

 

Car turns over and fires normally. Idle is good. Not hearing any cooling fan at all. Temp needle pegs as soon as the car is on and running. Checked this morning with car completely cold. Would that still suggest a battery problem?

Thanks again for any input...

 

The DSC and tire pressure may be a result of low air.

The battery is good; it passed the crank test.

The AC will not work if the ECU thinks the car is overheating.

The next logical step is to determine the code that set the SES light; also the freeze frame for the code.

It would be interesting to know the value of the ECT parameter; an OBD scan tool is required to get this information.

By the way the temp gauge is non linear; it will peg if the temperature goes past the threshold; likewise it will remain in the middle for quite a wide range. This is by design.

 

I had a similar thing happen to me after a track day. Check your underhood fusebox by the airbox. A fuse had blown and after I replaced it, my A/C started to work again. The fuse controlled the radiator fan that turns on when the A/C is switched on.

 

Left the car at home today in order to try and track down an independant shop to take a look at the MINI. Decided to try Jack Dayeh at DAI Motorsports in Laguna Niguel based on positive comments in the Southern CA forum. It's about 15 miles from my house - a straight shot up the freeway, close enough to drive the car in its current condition. Took the car in after work and it fired right up, idled and ran just fine. Temp gauge was normal all the way over, AC light engaged and seemed to be fine, SES light was on along with ASC warning light and low tire pressure.

Once I arrived, Jack went out to turn the car on and the temp gauge immediately swung to the red, all other warning lights as before.

Frenchie,

I agree with you on the battery and the ASC/low tire pressure may be just tire pressures being slightly out. Our recent cold spell (for SoCal) may have messed with my pressures a bit. I checked them all last night and three were 29lbs and my passenger rear was 27...

You're right about the AC - as soon as the temp gauge hit red the AC kicked off.

Codes will tell a story tomorrow. The way my indicators were bouncing around there may be a short somewhere...you're talking way above me with ECT parameters and freeze frames but I'll pass your comments to Jack to see what he comes up with...

Larry,

I couldn't see very well last night but I'm sure Jack will check out the fusebox tomorrow...

Thanks for all the ideas - I'll keep you posted!

 

I forgot to mention that my DSC light would stay on and not toggle off either. Worked fine after I replaced the fuse. I did not have the other symptoms you described other than the A/C. Hope it's not something serious. Good luck!

 

Just got off the phone with Jack and he suspects a short in the engine wiring harness. He is still trying to confirm but he is thinking the entire harness will have to be replaced...sounds expensive. Is this common? How can I confirm his diagnosis? Any way to mitigate some of the expense of this undertaking?

 

Jack confirmed "upper" engine harness. Part is $292 and grand total with labor and tax(7.75% here in OC) is $979.63. Ouch! Could be worse I suppose. Special order part so it will take a couple of days to come in. Hopefully this will put Dexter back on the road with no further issues for awhile. I'll follow-up when it's all buttoned up.

 

Happy to hear you found the problem; good luck!

 

Thanks again for your input Frenchie!

 

Glad to hear the problem has been found. Did Jack say what may have caused the harness to short out?

When I had my issue, I discovered the wires on the rear O2 sensor were frayed due to excessive movement of the exhaust from a failed header flex joint. The sensor banged up against the heat shield causing the engine control fuse to blow.

Thanks for the update.

 

Jack delivered the car as promised. Everything is back to normal - no problems after three weeks. I still have an airbag warning sensor light that the MINI stealership suggested was caused by a broken seat sensor mat that they wanted to charge $950 plus labor to replace. I'll live with it for a little while and scour the forums for a cheaper solution.

At any rate, Jack is definitely worth checking out if you are down in Orange County.

Happy New Year!

Tim

 

Thats great to hear Tim.
I have used Jack and DAI Motorsports before and I have posted my experience before. Its good to hear you your problem was resolved.
I actually need to set up and appointment my Inspection service.
But good read.