So I've had an ongoing minor issue that became a bit more of a major issue today.. thinking my fuel pump died.
The minor part was that when the car sat and idled too long it would sometimes throw itself into safe mode, could be prevented by keeping the RPM a hair higher at idle and even when it would resort to safe mode it could always be reset by putting the car in neutral, turn the key off and on and restart. Well.. Today that didn't go as routine as it should have as the car would not restart. I suspect the fuel pump because I no longer hear it when I turn the key on and as well I'd just this morning replaced the fuel cap as the old one was worn and crack around the seal.
Any suggestions just in case this isnt a fuel pump or may possibly be more than just a fuel pump.. all thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

 

Have you changed the fuel filter? Mine was black when I got the car. It could affect fuel flow.

 

could be the fuel pump going out on you

bang on the back seat (drivers / left side) and prime it (turn the key position 2 and let it pump a few times) before starting. If that helps it could be fuel pump...

 

I tried removing the cover and gently tapping on the fuel pump until sure enough.. it started to work again. The new one is on the way and I figured heck it, may as well order the filter too so that will all be done this week. I'll be doing a video on it so maybe others may find it useful.. providing I don't make a huge mess LMAO.

 

Sweet! Love when the fix is know and doable

 

Well I figure I best check back in on this one.. Out with the old pump and in with the new, surprising how easy it was and how little fuel I managed to spill. There was a bit of fussing with things going back together but I still managed the job in under 2 hours. Now just to wait for the filter to show up and change it out next.

Also.. I let it sit and idle to see if it would go into safe mode still.. and it did. A restart later and was fine so long as I kept the rpm above 1,000. I'd really like to resolve this as it's only ever a problem when sitting and idling, driving is more than fine and rather fuel efficient still. Other than that I'm happy Cooper is running again.

 

Do you know the code? I recently got a P0327 code for pinging. It said the knock sensor was bad. It would always come at idle. Sometimes when driving.
I decided to put in fuel stabilizer and full ip with fresh premium gas and the code went away. Drove over 50 miles of stop and go today and nothing.

 

Don't think I've seen that code as of yet.. but here are the codes I have that reoccur every time it hits safe mode:
P0313 - Misfire detected - low fuel
P0304 - Misfire detected - Cylinder 4
P2097 - Post catalytic converter fuel trim bank 1 too rich

I'm no Mini expert but here is my hypothesis, weak pump and restricted fuel pressure due to that nasty filter I changed today.. at an idle it wasnt getting proper fuel and misfired but then also somehow passed unspent fuel passed the 02 giving the P2097 code.. Gonna clear the codes and wish for the best of luck.