After 171,000 miles, I got my first Service Engine Soon light. I bought an OBD a long time ago, and never took it out of its package. Just where and how does it plug into the car?

 

If i'm not mistaken the plug is behind the panel under the sterring wheel.

 

It is on the bottom of the dash, kind of above the fuse panel and dead pedal area. There is a small plug/cover that hinges down, and then you can plug in the OBDII reader plug. You do not need to remove the dash panel or anything.

 

I found it on the left hand side of the well, close to the larger door for the fuse box.

I got a code P1237 with the explanation "Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit Malfunction." I cleared the code and my SES light went out and has not returned after about an hour of driving. The engine felt fine both before and after the code, so I am inclined not to worry about it.

Thanks.

Phil

 

Thanks Firetruck41. You posted while I was typing my prior response.

 

Have you noticed a change in your gas mileage recently? Might be something to keep an eye on.

Also at 171,000 you may want to investigate some of the Fuel Filter threads
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ol-filtah.html

Lots of different things can cause the symptoms to throw some codes though.

 

My gas mileage has seemed to be down a little lately, but I attributed it more to the Behe Performance Tune than anything else. Then again, the tune is older than the latest mileage drop, so you probably have a good point.

On the third, and most important hand, my 2010 MCS Mayfair should arrive in about two weeks and should result in an instant improvement in gas mileage.

It is funny that this car waited until it knew it was on the way out before throwing its first code in 171,000 miles.

 

For a MINI that's quite the impressive stat! I had two before I hit 10k!

 

I am now asking myself why I bought the OBD-II some years ago. Was my MINI throwing codes then? Memory fades, but I don't really remember the light being on.

However, it came on again at lunchtime. For now, the pattern seems to be drive without problem or SES light, park for a few hours, and the light comes on at restart. My vehicle inspection expires Monday, which means I need to get in line tomorrow AM and hope for the best. Come on 'lil MINI, just a few more weeks!

 

See if your scanner can see if your "readiness state" is OK. Usually after you clear codes, the vehicle must go through some specific drive cycles/speed/time/etc. before all sensors report "readiness". So, even though your check engine light is off, your ECU has not completed its diagnostics, and your car will not pass an OBDII emissions inspection, in many states. This is to prevent people from clearing a code right before testing and it may still have a problem.

 

My scanner is a cheapie "V-Checker." When I cleared the code, I checked it again immediately, and it said there were no codes. I also ran something called "Data Stream" and did not find anything that seemed amiss to me. Then again, I am unsure both of my scanner and my ability to understand it.

So, since I have to get inspected ASAP in any event, it looks like I will simply have to roll the dice. I am not sure there a Plan B at this late date.

 

Unfortunately, if you clear the codes, it won't show any problems, but when checked with a capable scanner, may show it is not in "readiness", not having completed all its diagnostic cycles. I will be curious to see how yours turns out, let us know how the emissions test goes.

Just did a quick google, and here is a link to the first one I saw about readiness monitors, look about 1/3 down the page for the bolded "Readiness Monitors" for an explanation of how it works: http://www.aa1car.com/library/ic10224.htm

 

Here's some pictures of the port.

 

Dunno about others but two of my scanners (Genisys and Snap-On) were a serious PITA to remove from the port. The other two came out pretty easy. I mean it was a serious tug of war to get one of them to release. Mini has "conveniently" covered the OBD2 port so if you dont know what you are feeling for you are going to have to get on your hands and knees with a flashlight and look for it...on the plus side, they did label it :D

 

OK, it seems fairly clear I have a readiness monitor problem. I was able to clear the code from the ALL CODES section, but not from the PENDING CODES section. Also, I cycle through what my monitor calls the DATA STREAM, I see some tests that are complete, and some that are not complete.

I got the light to go out once again, but who knows for how long, and who knows when the readiness monitor will be my friend. I have been debating between selling this car and trading it in. I think this makes my decision easier.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and information.

Phil