Hi all, been a while.

Today I started my 03 MCS and the SES light came on. Ok, no big deal. The car seems to run fine, just as strong as always.

Get to a red light and the radio shuts off, the RPM's dip a little bit, the air shuts off and then (immediately) it all comes back on. Does it again at the next red light twice.

I turn the air off and it doesn't do it anymore. Are the issues related? The engine does not turn off when this happens, just a tiny dip in RPM.

Any ideas?

 

Anyone?

 

sounds like something electrical, alternator possibly. if the AC compressor is getting worn it may put additional load on the belts, but shouldn't cause the alternator to stop... unless it's slipping the belt but you'd hear it.

what'd autozone say the engine light was for?

 

A quick scan of your car will go a long way toward knowing the source of the problem. Find somebody with a OBD scan tool and post what codes you get.

 

Didn't know I could get the codes for free from an auto parts store... I'll have to do that and report back.

Car's still running fine, no weird noises, no different "feeling" when driving. Odd.

 

Update-

Went to leave for lunch today, started the car and lo and behold the SES light is now off. Get to where I'm going and come back to work, the light is still off.

What now?

 

Ok anymore opinions? The SES light is off as of Monday, it has not come back on, so I haven't gone and had a code checked (would there even be one now?).

As far as losing power, it only seems to do it while idling like at a red light, and only when the AC is on (even on the lowest fan setting).

When it happens I do not lose engine power, but everything electrical will shut off and then immediately come back on.

If this is alternator, would that happen? Could it be a corroded battery terminal? I have a subwoofer enclosure and a few amps to move out of the boot to get to the battery but I can definitely check if it's a possibility. The battery is an aftermarket one I bought about 3 years ago.

 

Even though the light is off the code is probably still in the computer. I would still try and have it read

 

It's your crank pulley. Does your Mini sputter while driving, and occasionally lose power and jerk the car? If so, it's your crank pulley. I just had mine replaced (the bushing inside of it was disintegrated). This is on a 2005 MCS with 120,000 miles.