The other morning I started my mini (2006 S with limited slip & DSC) and noticed it was really idling rough. In addition, the "Service Engine" light
came on and the DSC icon light came on and stayed on. After a few miles
it smoothed out but I took it to the dealer. Now, can someone (anyone) explain to me how the dynamic stability control can be related to a cylinder actually misfiring (in layman's terms please if possible!). I'm at a loss in understanding how these events are related - thanks!

 

Thread moved to 1st Gen - Stock Problems/Issues for more appropriate exposure.

 

i believe it may just be redundancy.

 

I have an '05 MCS with 17% pulley, TMW motor mount (more vibration than stock mount) both installed two weeks ago. I'm experiencing the exact same thing right now. I have reset the ECU and this seemed to help for a while but the problem was back last night.

One possible cause that was told to me was a bad cam position sensor, but WMW said they have never had a cam position sensor go bad.

Anybody else seen this problem?

 

Mine has done the same thing. SES light followed by DSC light. I have a "misfire cylinder 4" code. I think it shuts the DSC off when it knows the car is losing power due to the fact the DSC robs the engine of power at times. BTW, I listened to the fuel injector located at the 4th cylinder once it started misfiring and it wasn't making a ticking sound like the other three. So now just waiting on the injector to get here.

 

I disconnected the battery while I checked all my plug wires and added a new coat of dielectric grease to the coil tips. Codes then reset. Car is running awesome now.

 

Not sure why the misfire happens..old plugs maybe?
But I can just about guarantee that the DSC light came on due to the reduced vacuum that it sensed as the result of the misfire. On other cars that I know of, this reduced vacume is will be reported as a fault because it may prevent the system from functioning as intended. Solve the misfire, and the dsc should be ok. Maybe a vacuum line is leaking, causing the misfire? Either way, I would look closely
sorry about the spelling, but typing on an I-Thingy is a pain.

 

you get a DSC light with the misfire because of a communication fault between the DME and the DSC control unit. I believe it sees the misfire as a communication issue because the misfire impedes the DSC's control of engine output. If you solve your misfire you wont get the communication error and the resulting DSC lamp that goes out as soon as you restart the car

 

Remember, the DSC system uses a gyro (of sorts..and a bunch of computer wizardry.....and wheel speed sensors too) to determine your cars actual direction verses its intended direction, and then activates the braking system, ...boosted by a brake booster, (using vacuum), to intervene, and stabilize the car. A lower than normal vacuum condition will result in the DSC seeing it may not be able to function as intended, resulting in a light.
I'm not trying to start a big debate...just stating how it works in a simple way. Other causes are possible of course!!
A failed fuel injector causing a misfire, etc....the possible reasons are endless...that is why it is called trouble shooting! Just remember, low vacume can be a cause or a result. It is a simple thing too look for in most cases...a broken/cut line, etc.

Good luck getting you problem fixed!!

 

DSC also can control engine output in addition to just braking, that is why a misfire may result in a DSC fault. DSC has a seperate hydraulic pump so it can apply braking to individual wheels without your foot being on the brake pedal it will make its own pressure, it does not need the pressure from the master cylinder/booster to operate.

Low vacuum alone does not cause DSC faults on these cars. Fix your misfire and the DSC will be happy again.

 

I don't know if you have been following my woes in the sticky about starting in this thread, but my problems started with rough idling while cold and now has progressed to misfire codes and really rough running til it warms up.

The last time I started it up the other day (I'm waiting to receieve my OBDII to read codes) the DSC light stayed on for a short time and so did the low pressure tire indicator. When I shut Sparky down and restated, they went out.

A question. Is it a good idea to use dielectric grease on both ends of the plug wires in a MINI? I have some and after reading this would like to try and see if that may help the situation.

 

I have, but I have seen some recomendations about only useing on the coil side. When you do..look at your #3 coil ...they thend to corrode pretty quickly on the oem coil packs.

 

One other thing....have you checked you fuel presure? In the thread looking for a flash too in ma. there was a similars type of start problem....rough start, ok running once it was a bit warmed up....not quite the same...part of the problem in that case was the car was tuned with the low fuel preasure....you might want to read it, might give you some ideas....good luck.

 

Well, it looks like we are not alone. I have a 02 MCS that has been running slightly rough at spertic time. Today, my SES and "Check filler cap" stayed on for about ten miles. Now, the SES, DCS, and tire pressure light stay illuminates at all time. Will be bringing it by MINI for them to look at it soon. When I get the verdict, I'll post. Is it a conscious that it is a misfiring issue?

 

The check filler cap light to my knowledge is turned due to the lack of vacume in the vapor recovery system...sometimes from a loose or missing cap...or from a vac leak. Sounds like your car could use some professional trouble shooting....sounds like lots of possibilites....any updates?