Hello, all -

In June 2010, I purchased a 2010 Hot Chocolate Cooper Clubman. Overall, she's a great car, but I am frustrated by the number of trips to the dealership I've had to make because of a yellow check engine light. Each time, I've pulled the error code (thanks fellow NAM posters for directions on how to do that!) and it's always the same - CC ID 031.

The first time she went in, I was asked about the gas that I use. Only Top Tier (QuikTrip) premium. And if I turned the gas cap until it clicked - Yes - I'm one of those strange folks who actually READS the owner's manual. Since the light went off on the way to the dealer that time, they couldn't replicate the problem and sent me on my merry way. Second time, yellow CEL, same code, they replace a sensor, off on merry way. Third time, not only did the CEL come on, she died on me and was idling rough. They tested the fuel, checked for carbon, found no issues and sent me on my merry way.

Between the third and fourth times, a "gas cap" warning light came on. That was a new one to me as it had never come on before. I immediately pulled over and unscrewed and retightened the gas cap. Light went off. Yesterday, yellow CEL again. Same error code.

I have analyzed what external factors may be occurring leading up to the yellow CEL and the only common denominator is that she's had a bath a day or two prior. But it doesn't occur every time she has a bath, since that's pretty much every other week, so that kicks that theory to the curb.

Is this a common occurrence for MINIs? I've previously had Volkswagens, Hondas, Volvos and Infinitis and never seen something like this. So far, everything has been covered by warranty, but I'm concerned that this will continue to occur. The dealership has been great and has provided me a loaner each time.

Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated.

 

This isn't common in MINI's. Somewhere, somehow, you have a gremlin in your car that is causing the issue. I use to be in commercial electronic repair for many years and know how frustrating these issues can be. Keep insisting they replace parts until they find the part that is out of tolerance. There's also a possibility of a bad connection or something on a part that is not typically replaced, which could make finding the problem all the more difficult. Hang in there and keep pushing for a fix, or ask them to replace the car!

 

I took the car to the dealership for service on Tuesday morning. My SA called around 3 PM and told me that everything was fine, they had conducted a "smoke" test, pulled the error codes and everything said it was a loose fuel cap. The SA was very apologetic, and I asked what I should do when it comes back on again. He told me to call them back, but hopefully, it would be fixed now. I picked the car up Tuesday afternoon.

Well, on Wednesday, I was idling in stop and go traffic, and low and behold, what should happen?? The yellow check engine light comes on. Same error code, same rough idling. I immediately call my SA and make an appointment for service on Friday since no loaners are available for Thursday. At this point, the issue is being elevated to the service manager. I'll post an update after the visit to the dealer on Friday, but I am at my wit's end - this just should not be happening in a new car with less than 10,000 miles.

 

I have a 2010 Justa Clubman with the same problems as you for the last 3 months. They did the same process, new gas cap, reset ECU, blamed the gas, smoke tested the engine, checked the wiring for shorts. After 10 days in the shop they replaced the purge valve, In the 3 days I have had it back the idle seems to improved, I wont know for sure for a while longer at least for my CEL seems to come on in a 7-10 day cycle. If your problems still persist since your last post, i would have them check/replace purge valve if they have not already. on my car it would have been cheaper to replace that first then all the testing they done.

 

Funny, my Clubman has the EXACT same issue as well. It's an '08 Clubman S. Idle is all messed up. Sometime I get the check engine light and other times I don't. the check engine light always goes away as well. AND she doesn't always idle properly especially after startup................ it seems like it wants to stall and then it hunts with the rpms going up and down.

 

I had that same code on my 07 MCS and it turned out to be the fuel pump. It was replaced under warranty. I had the same rough idle symptoms you are describing.

 

There seem to be several different parts that may cause the same symptoms and CEL code. The high pressure fuel pump on the S models as well as the purge valve or purge solenoid, also the DMTL in the fuel tank. The problem seems to be getting the offending part to act up when brought in for service so they can find it. Electronics that intermittently act up are hard to find when they are not misbehaving.