This past weekend, i noticed that my instrument panel and radio cut out while i was driving and came back on. I thought it odd and kept an eye on it. The 2nd time it happened and came back up, i noticed weird characters like in the clock time area like a dying digital wrist clock. Today while driving to and from work, the car lost power and showed me the eml light and service engine. I had to stick it into park and turn the car on, it took a few tries before it started again and would drive fine without the lights being on. Then it would shut off again. I am waiting for my appointment this thursday to drop it off at a mini dealership.
I have an automatic MCS 06, at 91k miles, extended mechanical breakdown insurance. So far, because of the bad commute it has been at low speeds that the car has died. I am worried at fast speeds that I am going to get into an accident if this happens on my way to the dealership. I see others that have similar symptoms with the wire harness, crankshaft position sensor, etc. Anybody have any idea what it could be? Can anybody recommended any mini shops in the south bay or east bay, california if it is not covered and the dealer prices are too hefty? Thanks

 

Battery?

 

OEM Battery was replaced recently... if it was battery, i think it would have issues starting in the morning.

 

did you find any solution to the issue? I'm having a similar problem. Thanks

 

Brought it into the dealership, so far the service advisor told me that my aftermarket battery was causing fault tolerances that is causing the power blips and lost of power. He recommended i replace the battery with an oem, $209. I had the aftermarket for a year now and there was never any issues but the SA said the tolerances can build overtime and cause shorts? Can anyone attest to this as I am not an EE person. Bit the bullet and had it installed and they are testing overnight to see if they can reproduce the conditions. Will update if they find something... I am hoping they do so I don't have to bring it in again and have piece of mind and wont stall on me on the highway.

 

Hi Meaniecooper,

That sounds very similar to what the SA told me at the Calabasas dealership. But, the shorts happen so randomly with mine I'm afraid it's almost impossible to reproduce on demand, thereby hard to determine what the problem is. The only difference is mine started to short out after having the battery for three years (the battery itself doesn't seem to be a problem). Up until recently I've never had an issue. I am very interested to hear what happens over next few days and weeks. Cheers!