Toggle switch for DSC not responding, DSC stays off with warning light on.
Stumbling at idle, stalled a couple of times, runs at speed and accelerates fine.
I had to heel and toe it to keep it running in stop and go traffic.
This just started this morning, has anyone experienced these same symptoms?
What was the fix?

 

Sounds like a vacuum leak if it can't maintaine an idle, but is ok at higher revs.

 

We've experienced somewhat similar symptoms, though not exactly. Our DSC light would come on (steady, not flashing), SES light would come on flashing, car would sputter and misfire, though it did not stall. Would maintain speed, but no real acceleration. Would correct itself after restarting the car, but only briefly. By next day it was fine, dealer could not reproduce the problem, and computer indicated only a misfire on one or more cylinders with no indication of the cause. It happened once in November, once in February, and again last week. Still no diagnosis.
Ours seems to occur only in the following situation: Take car for a short drive, leave for 30-60 minutes, and then take out again before engine is completely cold. Also suspect a connection to cold weather.
Latest theory from the dealer is a bad drive belt - had another customer with similar problem, claims drive belt replacement "fixed" it, but after only 300 miles, who can tell? Ours went a couple of months with no problems before recurring.
How new is your car? Ours is a 2006 MSC - just got it in November. Dealer's thinking maybe a bad batch of drive belts???
BTW, apparently a misfire can cause DSC light to come on, so that may not be particularly informative as to the problem. Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

I have a vacuum gauge, when idle smooths, I am seeing -15 = normal.

 

roymo, I have a July build 2003 MCS with 41,534 miles.. My serpentine belt is in good condition. I can't see how the dealer could say bad batch of belts without his nose growing 2 inches.
No this problem is electrical, because everything that controlls the DSC and throttle body is electrical.
Remember the DSC and Service Engine Soon lights are on steady. This means the DSC is disabled. The DSC toggle switch isn't working to turn it on or off.


"How new is your car? Ours is a 2006 MSC - just got it in November. Dealer's thinking maybe a bad batch of drive belts???
BTW, apparently a misfire can cause DSC light to come on, so that may not be particularly informative as to the problem. Good luck! Keep us posted!"

 

Maybe bad sensors in the accelerator pedal? Check the black housing cover of your throttle plate to see if the manufacturing date is before or after 1/05/02. Prior to the date you might have a throttle problem, in which case they'll need to replace.

And just for curiosity's sake, what vacuum source are you using for your gauge?

 

My MINI has always run great, I question this, that bad sensors in the accelerator pedal are going to cause the DSC to disable?
I would or could suspect the electronics in the throttle body but why would the DSC be disabled too.
As I said my MINI is a July 2003 build with the original throttle body.
Do you have information leading to this diagnosis?
I have a 5/32 T in the vacuum line running to the fuel pressure regulator as part of the VGS mod.
So to answer your question it is an the intake manifold vacuum source.

 

Sorry I meant the electronic throttle, not the gas pedal. As an input to the DSC, throttle position would have an impact on DSC operation. But would also throw other lights on as well...

The only light that's on is the DSC right? This is the part that's confusing. It obviously sounds like you have some engine issues but none of the relevants lights are coming on. I really have no idea at this point without more info

 

Vehicle Scanned
Global OBD11
Vehicle
DTC (CODES)
P0108
MAP/BARD
Circuit High Input

Their scanner would let me clear the Service Engine Soon light but would not clear the DSC disabled lamp. Toggle switch still won't toggle DSC on/off.
Engine still trying to stall at idle, I can see that it is running real rich by looking at the exhaust tips, almost wet with fuel at idle.

 

Eek! Oh man that's not good. Ok so you did have SES light on then. I thought only the DSC light was on which was confusing me (I need to read closer lol). Obviously your car is dumping fuel in at idle thinking it's geting more air than it actually is. Are you running a reduction pulley? There's a few guys who runs high boost and their DSC light comes on along w/ MAP codes.

Might seem unrelated, but have you tried taking off the VGS mod and going back to the stock configuration? There is a possibility that it could be it. I'm not too sure on the effects of the VGS mod (I understand the principle and operation) has on the MAP and the bypass valve.

Either your MAP is faulty or something is happening that's tripping your map sensor...I'm pretty much out of idea, hope you get this sorted soon!

 

I'm having a similar problem. Here's a link to that thread.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=59228

 

geotek, I think the only thing we have in common is the DSC is involved. Is you MINI still having this problem? Others have suggested the steering angle sensor or the speed sensing slip ring/sensors in the front wheels. You should have these things checked out if it's still in trouble.
The other thread about the PO108 codes is exactly like my trouble.

 

It seems like DSC and the map sensor are related somehow after talking w/ several people. Usually on extreme situations it seems when the MAP sensor gets confused. Glad to see your problems sorted out norm

 

I put the MINI in the shop this morning, still in warranty but not out of the woods yet.
I am going to share with them what was discovered with another MINI with these exact same symptoms. In that case it took a BMW field engineer to do a diagnostic and determine the problem.
I think we have on the forum a great potential for a knowledge base with our combined trouble experiences to create such a knowledge base. The only problem here is a naming convention for indexing and easy retrieval. The search function suffers because symptoms aren't categorized as problems are reported.
Oh yeah, they gave me an 06 MCSC 6 speed as a loaner, it was sunny and 74 degrees here today..........top down…..sweet
PS They called and said still diagnosing problem.

 

Haha nice at least you got a fun car to drive Reason it's taking so long is either
A: dealer is lying to you because they haven't gotten to it yet
B: Tech really doesn't know what's going on
C: Some tricky electrical issues are going on

And i agree w/ you in that we need a some sort of a database since the search function is a hit and miss deal. If we could list a potential problem by what kind of indicator light comes on and then list the symptoms, fault codes and potential causes w/ fixes related to that light. It's not by any means comprehensive but it's a start

 

so it makes sense that if you're getting a high reading at idle (indicating open throttle) that it would try to close the TB more and stall out.

Hope they figure it out fast... But then, the 06 convertable sounds fun too!

Matt

 

I don't get that at all. I have issues with DSC kicking in due to MAP readings. When the vehicle is at idle it shouldn't want to control the throttle. I agree that there's a relationship between MAP sensor reading and DSC's ability to control engine throttle, but at idle?

From what I understand, DSC will get a signal indicating to it that one of drive wheels are slipping, and then the DSC will send the signal to the DME to reduce torque to the drive wheels. So actual engine torque control lies within the DME itself, and not the DSC. This issue is bugging me and I can't get a straight answer from anyone...I might disconnect my map sensor and see what it really does myself.

EDIT: LOL I just thought of why DSC would come on...since DSC does deal w/ engine torque control, a faulty MAP reading would make it difficult for the DME to know actually how much torque reduction is necessary since it doesn't know how much air its getting, thereby disabling DSC function.

 

Torque reduction may be done by two methods. One is real fast timing shifts, and the other is slower via the TB. Not sure in the Mini as what's inside the ECU is so secret. But if it doesn't know the post TB pressure, the control loop can't work to well, so it takes the system off-line.

Matt

 

yep finally clicked in my head!

 

gets the same click. If they said they were still diagnosing it, they either...

hadn't started...
Put a new MAP sensor on and it didn't fix it...

But those are the only two things that come to mind...

Matt

 

My money's on that they haven't started. lol

 

I contacted kmickey from the "Help - Keeps throwing P0108" post, he had the exact same problem and it took awhile to figure out.
In his words;
"Map sensors - all of them!"
"Dealer replaced them (twice) and reset the ecu.
car just lost its mind.
Would not communicate with the throttle body."
"It took a BMW field engineer to do a diagnostic the second time around after the mechanics failed by just replacing one sensor at a time and testing to (me) see if that fixed it."
"They had a BMW field engineer put it on their gt1 diagnosis machine.
They replaced all the sensors t-map, map, steering wheel angle and reset the ecu."

 

Wow, that's pretty rare. Or at least I hope it is. Good thing he got it sorted too, and sounds like a possible fix for you also

 

I had a similar problem. This was after a throttle body was fitted. The car went nuts and it threw about 7 codes.

There are known issues with the wiring harness connection to the throttle body (regardless of whether you swap the unit or not).

All my sensors crapped out also. This was confirmed by swapping them with another Mini and having the problem all but disappear. The car that received my sensors wouldn't even start.

 

It really isn't that rare...........

There are known wiring harness issues with these cars - most honest delears will admit to changing out several per month. I find it amazing that three of the dealers in my area stock at least three to five harnesses at all times.

There is a TSB out there which, in the Cliff Notes version, literally recommends swapping out harnesses in all 02s and 03s. The later models have harness chafing issues, etc.