Hey I have an '05 Convertible with about 94k miles. I'm just totally blown a couple weeks ago my eml, ses, and tire pressure light all came on I had my car guy around the corner run a diagnostic and he said it was likely the knock sensor but that the code doesn't always point to a specific problem but a general area. He said it was about $1000 to repair so decided that if it was that serious I'd go to the dealer this guy just does my oil changes and doesn't specifically work with mini's. Anyways car went into mini of sterling and was there for about a week and a half. While it was there the issue wouldn't replicate. They even had a tech take it home. My mom told them to do a work up because surely at 94k miles somethings needed work. The dealer told us that my bushing or bushings not sure needed replacing and that the computer wasn't showing any codes so they reset my computer since it was probably a glitch. After all was said and done I paid $950 for the repair and diagnostic (It would have been more but I had $250 coupon). Got the car back it was driving nice and smooth but then last week the lights came back on. Now when all these lights come on the car also looses some power. It's doesn't shut off but is slow to accelerate if I shut the car off and then restart it all the lights but ses light go out. And then eventually the other 2 come back on sometimes 5 minutes later sometimes 20. Today I replaced the gas cap because it didn't seem like it was clicking the same and there is a noticeable difference when closing with the new one. Anyway I'm just kind blown because the dealer didn't seem to have a fix the 1st time. I was thinking about trying to find another shop in northern va that works on mini's the dealers labor rate is about $130ish. Then again with the dealer atleast I'll get a loaner and won't have to worry about transportation. Any thoughts or ideas? I think the thing that kinda upsets me the most is that I'm not a car person and I just never fully trust mechanics. No matter what I'm gonna have to wait about a week or 2 till I'm closer to pay day since the last repair cleaned out the bit I did have saved.

 

I have had similar issue with my 05 MCS with 68K.

First, I recommend you buy a scan tool and read the fault codes yourself. You might not be a "car person"..... but, I assure that you can do this! Scan tool costs $39 at amazon: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN OBD-II Scan Tool

I'm betting that you are getting a misfire on #4 cylinder like everyone else. If yes, your #4 chamber is boogered up and likely needs a "seafoam" proceedure.

You can send me PM if you want help with Seafoam procedure ($5 and 20 min).

Seafoam is controversial. Some people swear by it - some don't.

My lights have not lighted up for a looong time. Runs great and do Seafoam regularly.

 

Just in the event anyone else reads this thread thought I'd give an update as to what's gone on with Baxter. The lights went out for a week and then they came back and wouldn't go out...I did the sea foam treatment through the pcv. Then a few days later my car died at 711...had it towed to my local mechanic. It was on a blown fuse...phew but while it was there they replaced my dead powersteering fan and I got new spark plugs. He also reset my ses light and since that last trip no lights and smooth motoring. My car is at about 96k so it was due for the spark plugs not sure if changing them would have anything to to do with the ses light. But the codes my car was throwing were p0300 random misfire and p0642 voltage A circuit low. Not sure if any one thing was responsible for fixing the eml issue but now it's fixed all those repairs ran about $600 which doesn't seem so bad to me. Just thought I should share the outcome in the event anyone has similar issues. Next up radiator fan the low speed is caput.

 

Did you fix the knock sensor? If it fails, it will pull timing to save the engine. I don't think misfires would cause the car to run as you describe, are those the only faults?

 

No I didn't fix it...but even the 1st time he lights came on the code was p0642 volt a circuit low...and the exact words the mechanic told me is that he couldn't pinpoint the exact problem but that based on tech postings it was likely the knock sensor. But like I said it's been atleast 2 weeks since that repair and no lights. Prior to the shop visit I couldn't drive anywhere without the lights coming on...also when it was at the dealer they reset my computer system but like I said the lights still came on. BTW the shop that told me the it was the knock sensor isn't who did the last set of repairs. That last shop is the one that pointed out that my powersteering fan was no good and that it was time to change my spark plugs.

 

this trifecta of lights is usually a faulty wheel speed sensor. The misfire code or knock sensor code will throw the check engine light, but not the others. Also, the faulty wheel speed sensor won't show up on an OBD scan tool, you have to have something that will talk to the ABS system to find it.

A lot of times, taking the sensor out of the wheel carrier and cleaning it will fix it, or cleaning the connector (light blue cylinder). But often this just buys time and eventually the lights will come on to stay.

Matt