Getting and intermittent P173B code. I know that it could be the temp sensor, but the thermostat house is new. Getting ready to start looking at the electrical connection. Saw some repair parts for the connector on realoem.
Anyone have experience with these repair parts or has anyone repaired the connector and have any tips?

 

So I had a similar problem. I changed the coolant temp sensor because I had the same code & I knew that the thermostat was new. But when I took the clip off, I broke one of the side tabs. The connector seemed like it stayed on pretty well, though, so I put everything back together.
The code came back about a week later, along with a few others that I can't recall right now. I didn't panic, though, because I was reasonably sure that the problem was the connector. Also, i had purchased some inexpensive sensor off Amazon for about $14, so I thought that might be a problem.

I really didn't want to buy the MINI branded sensor for $45, but I figured I was going back in there to fix the problem, so I might as well bite the bullet. And while I was at it, I'd repair the connector, which is called a socket housing. The part number for the socket housing is #12527542850. You can get it from ECS Tuning for $7.73.

Repairing the socket is easy, but a little tedious. You just need to back the wires out. They've got a little spring clip that pops up into place when you push the wire in, so you just take a small skinny screwdriver (like from an eyeglass repair kit), and push the spring down and back the wire(s) out. Put the wires back in the same side on the new housing and you're good. You may have to scavenge the little colored gasket from one housing to the new one. Take your time, and you'll find that it's not a difficult repair.

After I replaced the sensor & the socket housing, I haven't had any problems since. YMMV.

Disclaimer: Let me add that these part #s are for my '09 MCS. Double-check all #s for your model!!

 

Yep, more info and pics here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...epairable.html

 

Rebuilt clip today and everything seams to be working fine