Hi all
bought a 2008 mini cooper at auction with 72000 miles on it, got it home and it wouldn't start. Solved that problem by replacing the valvetronic motor - now it runs like a dream. I still have one or two other problems with it. The CBS indicators just show dashes and there is a 'first aid' sign besides the mileage. It would seem that the ECU and I presume the CAS has been changed for 2nd hand units but I'm unsure whether the BCM has been replaced at the same time. So I guess my question is, if you change the ECU do they all need to be changed too and if the BCM hasn't been is it possible to get the ECU recoded so it recognises the BCM.
The rear wash wipe doesn't work either and I think this is controlled by the BCM.

 

The body control it would seem is the original one for the car. Anyone got any ideas?

 

unfortunately, the dot after the mileage is a tamper indication. In other words, the ecu, cas, and key are NOT for this car and this is NOT the real mileage of the car.

There is a way to access the "hidden" menu to view the VIN. Also, sometimes there is a sticker on the DME that shows the last 7#s of the VIN.

The BCM also known as FRM which is located behind the driver kick panel can be coded to match the vin and options.

The issue is, the CAS has options of the "donor" car!

check bimmer.work for the options that your car has, and also check the options of the "donor" car that your DME and CAS came from.

 

thanks for your reply. The 'new' ECU/DME has been coded with the cars original VIN. Are there tools I can buy to code the FRM myself with the options this car should have? I've found something on ebay WINFKP INPA etc. Would something like this do the job from my laptop?

 

yes, winkfp, inpa, ncsexpert will do the job. make sure the software comes with SPDATENS (programming files).

as for the DME being coded with the VIN, I pretty much doubt that. Once then VIN is supposedly coded, then the CAS should also be coded with the VIN and then they both need to be aligned with each other and finally the key FOB will have to be paired with the CAS. That is a lot of work and special programs do that...and they aint cheap. SO, the mileage is not actual of this car. it could be less or it could be sinfully more. did you pull carfax or checkvin on it?

 

Thanks again. When I access the vin through the hidden menu it matches the cars logbook. Is it pulling the vin from the DME? The mileage matches the service history and also the cars mot history

 

The Vin is from the cluster instrument. I guess the hidden menu shows the vin embedded in the cluster.
disconnect the battery and remove the DME. It usually has a sticker with vin on it.

 

Unfortunately the sticker has no VIN on it.

 

I guess we'll find out later once you fire up INPA.

to answer your original question, you need to enter the date and that will tell the car when the next service is due. The red circle is i think for brake pads or auto hold when you stop. is the car manual?

 

I've ordered a cable so hopefully I'll be able to take a look soon! It's a manual car. I've set the date and time but can't do anything with the CBS. I guess it's probably down to a communication problem between the modules which will hopefully explain the non functioning rear wash wipe too!

 

It would seem that the replacement DME and CAS are from a 1.4coupe, is it possible to flash them to a 1.6 cooper hatch or do I have to replace them again?

 

I know that 1.6 turbo and 1.6 non turbo are NOT interchangeable. also, 1.6 Turbo N14 and 1.6 turbo N18 are NOT interchangeable. 1.6 N12 and N16 Non turbo are NOT interchangeable.

 

can anyone tell me the part number of the original DME/ECU?

 

The dealer might be able to tell you based on your VIN. Check realoem.com for generic part numbers.