I have a 2004 Mini Cooper S with ~125k. A few days ago, the DCS light and low tire pressure light came on. I thing I have read all of the threads on the topic but there doesn't seem to be any consensus answer. Only have the 2 lights on.
- Speed sensor
- steering column sensor
- Alignment issue
Is there a link that describes the correct diagnostic/troubleshooting process? The speed sensor is relatively low cost but I have heard that the steering sensor is pretty expensive.
.

 

I'm guessing that one tire is losing air = low tire light on.
I'm guessing that because the two tires on that axle are now different sizes, the DSC thinks one is 'slipping' = DSC light on.

 

Something similar happened to me once. As I recall, I had run over some loose gravel, uphill at driveway speed, and one or both tires spun and the lights came on. After verifying tire pressure at all four corners (I have run flat tires) I reset the RDW system (pushed the "(!)" button by the E-brake handle ~5seconds, key ON engine OFF) and they both went away.

 

That was the first thing I checked. Air pressures are fine. Perhaps more telling is that I can't reset the tire pressure using the reset button.

 

I just checked for and codes. Nothing listed or pending

 

Mine shows "steering angle sensor" malfunction. My wheels don't have the pressure sensors in them, so that's out in any case.
I drive my JCW with the DSC "off", so I'm not looking into fixing the sensor any time soon. I flip the switch before I leave my driveway.

Mike

 

What scanner are you using to read the codes? the $20 bluetooth obd dongle's won't read the wheel speed sensor faults. I would lean towards a wheel speed sensor, wheel bearing, or both. If you need a scanner to check the wheel speed sensors, I recently got this one it read and reset my airbag light. I think it has pretty much all the functionality as the schwaben/foxwell scanner, but not the price tag.

 

Well,,,maybe not as good...
My Schwaben scanner told me of the bad steering sensor on my car. No hesitation, no additional codes, just the one.
I'm not sure I'd "lean" toward anything. I'd find out the problem, then decide...like I did if you can lean to one side or another.

Mike

 

On a 10 year old 2006 R53 had similar symptoms as the alternator failed and the battery started to have low voltage. As the battery drained, more lights, loss power steering and then finally no engine power. We were on the Dragon at MOTD. We swapped batteries to get the R53 back to our cabin. And then found an alternator and swapped that out to get home.

 

I can try a better code reader to see if that gives me more info. If it is the steering sensor, it is a pretty expensive part. Going back a few days, I caught a pothole on the passenger side pretty hard. Could an alignment issue cause this

 

I took a closer look at the front passenger wheel. I think I can visually see that the wheel alignment is off. Won't get to look at it more close look at it until later today. If I can visually see it, I must have bent or shifted something.
(I should have started this dicussion in the Hatch talk sub forum. Apologize for that)

 

right ball joint is bad. shop claims the tierod are bad as well. tie rids are original so not surprised the need to be replaced.Deciding where to do the work myself or have the shop do the work