The other day,I was going under 25 miles/h and my car all of a sudden shut off.

The Check Engine Light, Electrical, emissions, and oil symbols came up, and the engine shut off. I pulled to the side of the road and turned off the car, and then started it again, and everything was fine. I am worried because this could be a major safety issue.

Can anyone help with this problem? What should I do to prevent this from happening again? Could it be a problem with the battery, spark plugs, etc.?
Or is it most likely a faulty fuel pump? Thanks!

 

Did it shut off like flipping a light switch? Or did it buck a bit & then die?

Light switch syndrome would point to an electrical problem. The bucking syndrome would point toward a fuel delivery problem.

Need more input to diagnose the problem.

 

There was no bucking, it was more like on/off. I didn't even realize the engine was dead at first, I just saw a bunch of warning lights come on then realized the engine had died also.

So seems like probably an electrical issue. The car was slightly modified by the previous owner, I can see he changed the air box with a half open one with after market filter. I dont see the hardware for that "valve" thing that was on the original jcw air box. The car ran fine all the time I drove it except today.

 

I was just thinking, would it be possible to experience these symptoms if the ignition key malfunctions. These keys have chips in them correct?

If the car is running with the key in then the key fails for whatever reason, would it cause the engine to die like that?

Probably not but just thought id ask..

 

If you got check engine lights and the lot, I wouldn't think key problem (If its possible, I do not know if it is) would show them. I would think it would be just like turning off the ignition.

But If you did get the CEL, get an OBD code reader and see what it codes it spits out. Most Autopart stores will let you "rent" one. My local Autozone lets you put down a deposit, and when you bring it back they refund your whole deposit.

Do that, and come back here, I'm sure we'd be glad to help.

 

I'm from Canada, I don't think we have an auto zone here. I think I will have to take it to a Mini Dealer to see if they can find the code.

I tried stalling the engine on purpose today and all the same lights came on as before, I think it was engine, oil, battery, and emission, but not 100% sure.

When I start the car first time in the day it seems to almost want to stall for a second then idles normally.

Ill let you know if I can find out what the code is.

 

You said it feels like it wants to stall in the morning on startup, that would most likely be symptom of fuel delivery or spark. Do the basics, check your spark plugs, ect.

I wouldn't go to the dealer untill you think it's a problem a garage can't fix. Any sort of auto store should let you use the scan tool, if they don't, you could buy one so if you throw a code in the future, you got it. You can find a cheap one...

btw how many miles is on your mini?

 

The car has about 65K miles on it. I did take to to Mini and they scanned for codes and nothing came up.

 

Check your battery voltage. Also inspect the terminals and make sure there is no corrosion on them. Check and make sure your spark plug wires are properly seated at both ends. On the coil pack, inspect the terminals to see if they are black in color or have a slight buildup of rust on them. If that is the case, clean them up with a brash brush and/or some STP Carb Spray Cleaner. Make sure the plugs don't have any sulfur or oil buildup on them.

If none of that is a problem, perhaps it's an intermittent issue with the high-pressure fuel pump?

 

Thanks I'll check all those things and see what I find.