I think it's just MSFITOY ignoring us. Not.

 

:smile: ...not ignoring you guys...

My Mini once went into limp mode because operating temp were below threshold.

QUOTE=Eric_Rowland]I think it's just MSFITOY ignoring us. Not. [/QUOTE]

 

Yes, it defaults to closed (fails closed) if the spring is intact. On mine the spring failed and allowed the bypass valve to remain open. The engine response was lack luster and the car could barely get out of its own way. It was still driveable though.

This does sound more like a throttle body though.

 

I have had this problem for 2 days. I can now replicate it to a "T" ---- the Very second the supercharger starts to "whine" the entire engine gives a "thump" and all power is lost --- ALL power to the accelerator; the ignition stays on -- all electrical seems to work and the Service Engine Soon (SES) light comes on.

In order to restore engine power I must turn the ignition off and restart the car. If I do this the car will run but without ANY supercharger. The car runs with diminished power but is clearly not in "limp mode" because as long as I keep revs in the lower (e.g. below 4,000) range I can get up to 70 or 75 in 6th. Power feels mushy at best. There is no misfiring.

If I start the car through 3 cycles the SES light goes off but the supercharger will not start woking with any regularity. (Sometimes it's there and then it goes offf again).

The reality of this situation is that it is pretty damn dangerous. It stopped on a country road yesterday x2 and it was fine; today it died on the Kennedy in Chicgao in the express lanes at 70mph rush out traffic; that will wake you up! I'm getting good at turning off and restaring at 60 miles an hour.

Thoughts?!

 

That's tough to figure out without a OBD reader to see what codes you're throwing. I think you may be in "limp" mode.

 

YIKES!!! Think maybe you had better get the MINI techs on the job!!!

Yours sounds like the supercharger bypass valve is malfunctioning - the original situation that I first posted about sounds more like the throttle body as suggested by others.

The owner of that MINI has a few other troubles right now, so has not re-discussed it with her service department. Will let you know when I learn anything more about it.

Good Luck Alfisti164 with yours!!!!

 

I've posted this over on MiniUsa also, but I have a case of confirmed Supercharger bypass valve "sticking" --- resulting in a COMPLETE loss of power to the engine until the ignition is recycled. The problem was frequent and almost totally predictable.

My question though is this --- has anyone had to have the bypass valve replaced? The dealer states the part is on backorder, not just from England, but from Germany "as well" --- like two layers deep ---- and no one can tell me when they will start shipping them.

Who knows what??

Thanks.

Taylor

 

Maybe they are making a flying change to the Ryphix #2 so nothing is coming thru except what is needed to meet production. IT could happen, couldn't it?

 

limp mode anyone:thu mbsup:

 

The car is in limp mode. Tuls is quite correct when the accelerator is not responding. More correctly the accelerator responds but so poorly that is almost un-noticable and you can't get the car above 1500rpm or so.

Had this problem and it was a faulty harness issue to the Throttle body.

My friend's mom has a new 05 and she has had the problem twice. First they replaced the bypass valve. The second time they replaced the throttle body and harness. Problem solved...

Good luck!

 

Unfortunately I don't know anything, but this is interesting that yours is a confirmed sticking bypass valve. Sounds like you should get the throttle body harness replaced as well to be sure that it won't give you any trouble!!

Good luck with getting the part you need from Europe!!! :smile:

 

Similar issue with my 04 MCS JCW 11,500 miles. Last Thursday it started to show a lack of power while driving on the freeway. Suddenly the car lost power and the EML, ASC, & Service Engine Soon lights all went on. I was able to get to the shoulder of the road in heavy traffic and restart the car. Once underway the symptoms repeated with all three lights coming on and the vehicle having no power. The engine did not stall but would not exceed 2,000 RPM allowing us to limp home at 20 MPH. Mini Roadside assistance sent a flatbed trailer and hauled it to closest dealer (1 1/2 hours away).

The service advisor called me today and stated that the service tech working with MINI tech phone support determined that the bypass value had failed and needed to be replaced. Fortunately, the dealer just happen to have a bypass valve come in and they completed the repair. I will know more when I pick the car up on Saturday and give it a good test drive home.

 

I wish I'd seen this before I started my thread. There's apparently an issue with some '05 MCSes where the blow-off (pop-off, whatever-off, depending on who you talk to) sticks open. From what my service tech told me, the computer interprets this as a stuck-throttle scenario and does everything it can to keep the engine from running away. I had these exact same symptoms. My blow-off valve has been replaced and I'm hoping the problem is fixed. My tech told me there's a "service measure" for this issue that's been published within the last 7 days. There's also a shortage of these valves, currently; they're backordered, and my tech cannibalized a new MINI on the lot to get me back on the road.

 

This is all sounding extremely alarming!!

It sounds like the dealerships need to get a whole load of these bypass valves to have in stock when the next MINI comes in with this problem.

I think I need to write to ASK MINI again!!!

 

Picked up my car today after they replaced the bypass valve. The mechanic stated MINI recently came out with a bulletin on this type of bypass valve problem. From what I could understand from his explanation is that the bypass valve sticks causing a permanent fault for the DME and a problem with the electronic throttle monitoring level. Hopefully someone can decipher all of this.

End result after 110 mile drive home is that everything seems back to normal. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Jim

 

I certainly hope that you have a final solution.

 

Just carry some wireties, and when this happens, wire tie it shut! All the power you want!

Matt

 

This is interesting that they are now acknowledging the fact that there is a problem with these valves!!!!!

This must be good!!

 

As of Thursday, I experienced this problem once.

Happened to me consistently today while testing to isolate the fault.

 

You could be fined for calling 911 when your life and the lives of any number of pasing drivers are in danger? If that's true, remind me to stay away from New York. That's just ridiculous. I mean, a 2600 pound boulder in the path of moving traffic seems like a pretty severe emergecy to me. I would have called 911. And if they tried to fine me, I'd take it straight to court and the media.

I just can't believe that that would be true.

 

Experienced this problem last thursday... Then nothing for 3 days, and then it happened consitently on a Sunday, causing me to drive like a 'granny' since then. Last 2 days, started driving more normal, and had a bit of sputter, but no shut-downs.... Until this morning as I was taking the last turn into the dealership.

Service advisor thought it might have been bad software, so he wanted to do a quick 'flash' to see if it fixed it. After flashing the software, he said the bypass valve was 'hot as <insert proper explicitive>', and that it is most likely the problem. Bypass valve on order, and will be fixed next week.

Seems I only get the shut-down when the heat is on... Anyone else notice this coincidence, or is it only coincidence?

 

My BPV was causing intermittant problems for about two weeks as you have described. I replaced it last Saturday and haven't had a problem since.

Steve

 

This first happened to me around six weeks ago. I was merging onto a highgway in town and hit about 4000 RPM's car popped, EML & SES lights came on and went into limp mode. Coasted to the next exit and stopped the car. It was idling rough as hell. Turned car off and back on again all's OK but got the SES light, still. Made about 3 other trips and that light went out. (Dealer said after about 3 trips the SES light re-tests itself and realizes there's no problem so it shuts itself off.) Then about two weeks later it did it again when I pulled out in front of someone who decided they didn't want to turn left anymore. Did the exact same thing. Now that you mention it, I may have had my heat on both times. I remember it being cold those days. I went to take the car to the Dealership the next day about 45 minutes away and got in a wreck on the way. My Wife was following me to bring me back to town and a guy switched lanes and popped her car into mine. A new rear bumper & exhaust later and my car's all better now and has now been towed to the Mini dealership via roadside assistance. Called today to check on it and they said they've ordered me a bypass valve and it should be here tomorrow and I should hopefully have my car back tomorrow as well.

So,That's my story. Sounds like I'm in the same boat as a lot of you guys. Hope this is all I need. Between the stereo/tint shop, body shop and now this, I haven't gotten to drive my car very much in it's first few months. :D
-G

 

My SA called today and told me they fixed it AND figured out how/why it was doing it, and that he would show me when I pick it up (after they fix another problem).

He also mentioned the fix makes the valve work 'better' than before. Hope it's true. Will share when I get more info.

 

Hello!!
I was driving to work this morning when my MCS 2005 suddenly lost all the power and the SES light came on. I turned off the car and first, I check my 15% pulley and it was ok. I drove the car to the dealer for service and their will call me back to let me know. Well I hope their do not complain about my 15% pulley and my Alta CAI. My 2005 MCS had only 2000 miles on it. Henry