I have had problems with my '04 MCS since I drove it off the lot. The first problem was a cracked coolant reservoir, and the latest and most problematic has been the gas gauge acting up. It will read as completely empty after I have just filled the car up with gas, and then after the car sits for a while, I turn it back on and it reads normal (that is has gas). I have noticed that it only happened when the tank was full, after I used about 1/4 tank it would work fine. It has been to the dealer three times already, and yesterday when the car died on me while I was on the freeway, I had to have it towed to the dealer for the 4th time (for this problem). Does anybody know what the regulations are for lemon law? Or has anybody had this problem and had it fixed? I love my car to death, so I'm hoping that they can fix it, but I feel like I'm getting ripped off here!
Help???

 

Not sure how it is setup in the MINI, but the fuel-gauge sending unit in most late model cars in located IN THE GAS TANK itself. Sounds like yours is bad. In the "olden" days it used to rely on a "float" to read the gas level, but now it's an electronic sending unit. A replacement may be the only solution?

-MB

 

In the 4 trips to the dealer they first replaced the sensor itself, didn't fix it. Then they tried to replace the whole display unit, that didn't work. Then they changed all of the wiring and that didn't work. I haven't picked my car up yet, but this time they told me that some hose was loose and not put in right, so that's what they fixed this time. We'll see what that does.

 

Sounds like a problem I am very familiar with. I had the exact same problem multiple times, although it all happened with my 325i, not my MINI. Since they are made by the same manufacturer after all, the problems may be common to both. Here is my story:

I had a 1994 325i. Around 1997-1998, I went through 4 or 5 sets of fuel level senders. The symptoms were that after refueling, the fuel level gauge would malfunction. It would display an erroronous fuel level reading, followed by a rapid decline to empty. The reading may return to normal once about 1/8 to 1/4 tank of fuel is used. It required restarting the car to get the gauge to return to normal. Sometimes the gauge never returned to normal. Apparently at the same time, a lot of other 3 series owners experienced the same thing, so collectly we together came up with a set of rules that I now follow religiously. I haven't had to replace another fuel level sender until I sold the car this past Monday.

Here is what I do:
1) when refueling, always take your key out. Leaving the key in apparently confuses the computer.
2) close all doors. (don't ask me why, but I follow it religiously and didn't have a problem)
3) as soon as the fuel pump clicks off, never put an extra drop in it. I remember someone took the fuel level sender apart and noticed it could cause false readings if the fuel level went past full. I also follow this religiously.
4) use only brand name fuel

I suspect 3) is the most important one. Hope this helps!

 

I’m with MINI USA. I’m sorry your service experience was not what you expected. We are here to work with you and your Dealer, Please phone us at (866) ASK MINI and mention Reference # 200410600136 so that we can help you more efficiently. We’d really like to help.

 

>>I’m with MINI USA. I’m sorry your service experience was not what you expected. We are here to work with you and your Dealer, Please phone us at (866) ASK MINI and mention Reference # 200410600136 so that we can help you more efficiently. We’d really like to help.


Now about the yo-yo................................................ .................?