I searched nam/google and couldnt find any threads with solutions. I am having some issues with my heat (replaced thermostat and heater core. Heat is coming on thru footwell only so I assume its a blend door.) so decided to go into the climate control diagnostics. Once I got in it started blinking FF 01. I see that is the Solar Sensor (I cant see how that could affect my heat?). So I turned the car off, and the diagnostics on the climate control is still there. Removed the battery, still there. I cant get it to turn off and I cant use any of my heat/air functions until its removed. I tried to reset my ecu and was scrolling through the test screen and 19 wasnt an option so I cant even reset the ecu *facepalm. Photos attached of the climate control as soon as the car is started and then the FF/01 that start blinking after. ANY help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

See my thread, “heater not working”

I think that’s what I named it

 

If you could link the thread you're referring to that would be great. Im not as concerned about getting the heat to work, my question is how the hell do I get this climate control out of diagnostics mode.

 

The solar sensor if it is bad and reporting a very low reading or high reading this might account for the problem with heat output.

Not sure if this applies to your car but this video may be of some help:


Or you can use this search string "mini cooper heater diagnostics mode disable" or even one more specific to your car's model year and remove the "heater" and see what the search turns up.

 

Thanks RockC. Im not so concerned about getting my heat to work at the moment. I just need to get this diagnostics mode to go away. Sadly that video isnt much help, I have an R53 and thats for the R56. I appreciate the help tho.

Disconnected the battery for 24 hours and still cant get this diagnostics mode to turn off.

 

Ok. How about this then?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-obc-menu.html

Seems to be a matter of pressing/holding some buttons for a few seconds.

I read that turning off the ignition made the diagnostic mode go away yet that apparently doesn't work for you. This suggests there is problem the car's electronics.

 

No sadly that doesnt work either. I have tried that one previously. There is no "19" when I scroll through. I mean, its a mini cooper, of course theres a problem with the electronics, but I do see quite a few people with the same problem and no one seems to ever post their solution.

 

I've the same issue, FF01 & FF12 codes showing and panel won't reset, I'm presuming due to the issue still being there. Thankfully on mine I can press the 'Auto' button and it clears from the fault screen so i can use the controls but comes on again every time you restart the car. Spoke to Mini about the solar sensor replacement, £45 and they say it's easy enough to replace (2 minute job according to them) but I can only get the wire out approx 2" so can't get to the connector. Anyone replaced these and know the knack to get the connector out as seems very stuck in there?

 

Well, I was all out of help.

But I note Dougster7's post and a sensor associated with the A/C system makes sense. Because you can clear or remove the error this suggests the error is a hard error. (Kind of like OBD2 errors. A clear errors command will erase errors but after the erase operation if the CEL is on this is because the error condition is still present. It is a hard error.)

 

I can get to the test menu and able to select 19 to reset the ECU but the fault code remains even after trying a couple of times

 

Have you found out anything further on this? Running into the same situation myself with FF01 error and unable to access the connector.

 

I haven't had any luck. Heat is now coming out of the vents when the car is moving(assuming it's engine heat), and it's getting brutal in these summer temps. I just ordered a solar sensor, so waiting on that and then I'll go from there. Local shops are quoting an estimate $1500 (it will prob be more) to fix. Hoping to diagnose it before it comes to that.

 

Have you had any luck? I just replaced my solar sensor, and that did absolutely nothing. My AC Control is still flashing FF01 and cannot get out of diagnostics mode.

 

Pick up a used control head from junkers and try it would be my suggestion.

 

hello Nick
this just happened to me, any luck with it ?

 

I bought a used comate contol module and that fixed it.

 

Hello Nick
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate you taking the time to help out !!

 

possible fix! I had this issue of being stuck in the diagnostic mode also. Today just on a hunch I turned the car off, held down the AUTO button and then turned the car to the ON position and the blower kicked on! Its now out of diagnostic mode but im also too scared to try it again. Lol. I know this is an old post but i wasnt finding any answers anywhere so hopefully this can be a fix and help people.in the future!

 

I was having the same issue of being stuck in calibration mode with FF01. Not sure why I even thought of it but I got home and turned the car OFF. Held down the AUTO button, and with the button held down turned the car back to the ON position. The ACC module went to CC and BOOM! The blower kicked on and now everything is working again. I'm too scared to go back into diagnostic mode in case it was just a fluke but maybe this is a fix because I couldn't find anything online on how to fix it. I hope this post can help people in the future.

 

Thanks for the update .
A couple of months ago I wasn't getting a good flow of cool ambient air with "auto" on. It felt rather musty.
After doing a routine OBD II scan, which pulled up an error/fault : 08 -"IHKA: Fan, inside - temperature sensor".
The code would clear with my Foxwell but kept coming back.
I had remembered seeing a video about accessing the "secret hidden climate control menu" on the auto ac units in consideration for further diagnosis - but also read the horror stories (maybe this thread?) about it being stuck in diagnostic mode.
Which I really wanted to avoid going that route. I figured I'd just have to reside to spending and replacing w/ $150 on a new inside temp sensor (behind the IHKA control panel) or pull one from a salvage yard the next time a Mini showed up with an IHKA unit.

Long story short - Miraculously, a couple of months later the fault disappeared on it's own and the unit/sensor started working again as it should.(???). I feel exceptionally lucky for that.

Anyway - It's my hope that @SkeezOmatic 's method is a viable solution should I, or anyone else, drive themselves crazy trying to break-out of this "secret" diagnostic mode in the future

Thanks!