So has anyone with the too lean code actually noticed a lean condition at the exhaust pipe tips? Mini tips are are normally black with soot, under a too lean condition they will turn white. Which is where mini are after throwing a lean code. I was getting that funny smell usually associated with a bad cat before the code.

 

no it wasn't lean but we reset the adaptations 2x and the code has never re-appeared

you will need an autologic tool or the factory tool to do this

 

This is the best answer I've seen so far. I haven't tried it to test the results but I will be doing so tomorrow. It couldn't hurt. If it does work I'll post it.

 

another "fix" for this is to install an O2 sensor simulator on the 2ndary O2. i installed one for a P0420 code thrown by my racing cat. it should take care of any codes caused by the secondary O2. granted this doesn't fix what is causing the problem, just fools the computer into thinking there isn't one. and it's only $40.00.

 

I had this same code on my 03 R 53 Mini cooper S.... When the code originally manifested itself I replaced the O2 Sensor with an after market unit... bad move the SES light stayed lit for about 4 months after that.. finally the code just randomly went out and no longer is present in the ECU... I believe the reason for the long delay of the code clearing itself was due to the O2 sensor not being an OEM part! For electrical parts I suggest buying the original MINI BMW part! Hope this helps... Also this might have already been mentioned but if your fuel is really too lean the exhaust tips at the back of your car would be covered in white soot rather than the normal black...

 

ive had this code for about 8 months randomly showed up one morning. about 2 months later went out for about 20 minutes but came right back. has been steady since that occurence.

i finally got the car on a lift the other day and noticed that the "post cat" sensor had some deviations in the wire seemingly caused by contact w/ exhaust. new sensor is on order. hopefully this will correct as inspection/emissions is due

 

Code 2096 "Post CatalystFuel Trim SystemToo Lean, Bank 1

I have had this code for a while, Just installed a new 0s sensor in Header, moved that one to after cat location, Just wanted new one engine management side, Code was gone for about 3 mins, then came back, Always sets right on start up . thought i had it fixed for 3 short mins!

Few things i notcied Clean exhaust, looking in the O2 hole pipe is clean no black, Sensors almost new looking, After i cleared codes ( scanner Generic type ) long term fuel trims of +7, short term of +1 to +3,

Being a tech at a GM shop, they say anything around 10, -/+ you have a issue

I have a 15% and alta cai, MSD wired and coil, brisk plugs, But did not get code untill i installed OBX header, and exhaust, Going to look for leaks again, With a + fuel trim think ill start with intake track, Got a smoke machine at work,

 

I had the 2096 about 4-5 months ago. I tried resetting it, but it came right back. I was going to start with getting the O2 sensors replaced, but decided to call around the mechanics I know and trust for this. One suggested that it could be the dirty fuel system (accused me of not maintaining the car well), the other said it could be an exhaust leak or cat (warned me about an expensive repair), and the one I trust the most said "I've seen 2096 few times especially on the 02-03 R53s at certain mileage; you need to start by getting an ECU reset by the dealer". He gave me the contact number of a tech at the dealership and for a 6-pack, he reset everything and the dreaded 2096 never returned since! While the reset process was going, I had a nice talk with the tech, and he told me that they tried replacing all O2 sensors, the cat and some fuel system components on few cars before, and the code was still there. Once they started to flash ECUs first, some of them were taken care of at that step.

Hope this helps someone with the same code, since it could be soooo many things giving you a 2096. If you dont have any symptoms of running lean, your fuel consumption and the performance of the car is still as before, you may want to try ECU flash first. Easy and painless. If the code comes back, then you have more things to troubleshoot.

Here is a direct quote from a MINI tech on another forum regarding 2096:

 

Small job got big, and Mini runs bad,

Few weeks ago i put a smoke machine on my car, found a leak some where under intake. After tearing front off the car I found a leak the Gasket from the supercharger inlet to the air tube to throttle body,

Ended up with oil pan off minor leak But added the baffles like the mini madness pan with new gasket,
drained and refilled supercharger oil, replace "Profile" inlet tube to supercharger gasket,

Now car runs worse, have not drove it, just idling in shop i re smoke machine tested it found no leaks, But i have noticed i have a NEW clicking in the PCV valve, And the bpv is half open at idle and is fluctuating, rough idle a hiccup, and a light blurp in the exhaust
I reset the ecm by the cluster method, And i still have the 2096

Got late so i gave up and locked up shop, Going to give it a fresh look after work monday tonight

 

the ONLY way to get rid of the "hard" code 2096 is to have access to a GT1, autologic or Bavarian technik tool that will clear this hard code from the ecu

no scan gauge or ecu reset will get rid of it

 

Snap on modis with euro update ? i have one i can borrow

 

I seriously doubt it

 

I installed this to get rid of a PO420 (from running a racing cat) and ended up with the 2096 instead. I'm assuming because of the circuit my numbers are fine, and clearing it using the above mentioned tool will get rid of it for good. Any thoughts?

Hopefully when I get the time to drive the car to Cali for a tune it can be reset for me. Would be amazing to have no more dash lights. It's the only one left out of 5 that I've been disappearing over the last 6 months or so.

 

Ive had multiple customer cars come in with this complaint at or above 80k. 9 out of ten times its the bypass tube that runs from the intake pipe to the valve it self. replacing usually fixes the problem. Smoke is always your friend in these situations. smoke test it look for leaks and see what you come up with. if you dont have a smoke machine, then you can shot gun it and hope for the best. what Im talking about here is replacing that tube, both of the clamps with worm gear styles, and replacing the supercharger to intake pipe gasket (the green one your mini dealer will know) make sure to reset adaptations and take a highway drive. anything at or near 6% + means you still have a leak. or your might have other issues on rare occasions you could be dealing with a FPR issue.

 

Bringing it into the dealer for a fifth attempt at a fix soon. 5 times in under 30k miles...

 

Just had this code pop up on my car at 70k miles...going to have my tech look at it tonight.

 

I had the 2096 code on my car for about a year after installing my header/cam, and I even had the car retuned with bigger injectors because the car was running a little lean in one of the cylinders. After clearing the code with the Bavarian Technik and having it retuned, the light stayed off for about 1k miles (2 1/2 weeks of driving for me) then came back on. About a month ago I cleared it again and reset the adaptives with the Bavarian Technik now it comes on sometimes when I'm just cruising, but if I rip on the car the SES light goes away

 

I also had a cam and header installed and had it retuned but this was probably 5-10k miles ago, its strange the light would just come on now... i'm going to try checking everything that people have mentioned here...

 

All info below is copy any pasted from Alldata 3 differnt bullentins


SI M 12 01 06
Engine Electrical Systems

December 2006
Technical Service
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. M12 01 06 August 2006.
[NEW] designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
EMS2K FC 2096 - Post-cat Oxygen Sensor Lean Mixture
MODEL
R50 W10, R53 W11 with EMS2K
SITUATION
Check Engine Light is illuminated and the DME fault code 2096 - "02 sensor bank 1 after catalyst, exhaust gas composition indicates lean mixture - currently present" is stored.
CORRECTION
The post-cat 02 sensor FC 2096 is only an indication of a lean mixture condition; the oxygen sensor is not a root cause of the fault.
1.Follow the appropriate GT1/DIS test plan modules.
2.Check long-term multiplicative adaptation values (in most cases, readings are in the range of positive 5%-7%, indicating a lean mixture problem).
3.[NEW] Perform basic diagnostic of the intake air filter, intake system, fuel delivery, and exhaust systems. Look for vacuum leaks in the intake manifold, supercharger boots, by-pass valve, etc. Check for leaks in the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter area (preferably by using a diagnostic smoke machine). Check fuel pressure, swap MAP/TMAP sensors, swap injectors from a known good car and observe changes to the short-term adaptation values. Perform appropriate repairs as needed.
4.Reset long-term adaptation values.
5.Perform post-cat 02 sensor test to verify effectiveness of the repair (the specified post-cat 02 voltage should be in the range of 500-700 mV after 5 minutes of engine idling).
6.Provide feedback via PuMA case.
IMPORTANT :To dear the DME short4ong term mixture adaptations:
1.From the GT1/DIS select "Function Section", then
2.Select "Service functions", "Drive", "DME Motor Electronics", and then "Reset adaptations".
3.Go to "Test plan" and then right arrow.
4.From the menu of adaptation resets, select number 9. "All previous values" and press enter. Selection number 4. "Mixture adaptation" does NOT dear mixture values.






Service Measure
Engine
M11 200 04
02/10/04
Subject
Cooper S 07/02 - 07/03; Crankcase Ventilation Hose Swelling

Complaint
Customer may complain of a "moaning, groaning or whining" noise from the engine compartment when shutting off/starting the engine or under acceleration.
In some cases, vehicle drivability is also affected - complaints of rough idle and/or poor acceleration are reported.
Cause
Deterioration of the rubber hose of the crankcase ventilation line causing swelling and subsequent vacuum leak.
Measure
On a customer complaint basis, inspect rubber hose attached to the PCV (on the valve cover). If the rubber shows signs of deterioration (swollen, soft material), replace the crankcase ventilation line with the improved part (PN 11 15 1 524 087).


SI M11 01 04
Engine

September 2004
Technical Service

PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.
SUBJECT
Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign 04E-A03: Replace Crankcase Breather Line on MINI Cooper S

MODEL
MINI Cooper S from 06/23/2002 up to 07/26/2003

SITUATION
Due to material deterioration, the crankcase ventilation breather hose may soften and eventually may collapse after extended time in service. The customer may complain of a hissing or bumming noise during light acceleration. If the vacuum leak develops due to the breather line deterioration, the "Service Engine Soon" light may be illuminated and various drivability problems (rough idle, stalling) may be experienced.
To minimize customer's inconvenience caused by this Recall Campaign, you may pick-up (and deliver after repair) the affected vehicle from the customer's home, or provide appropriate alternative transportation.
Customers will be impressed when you return their cars cleaned inside and out and with a full tank of gas. Reimbursement information for the vehicle fueling and valet costs can be found in the Warranty portion of this bulletin.
IMPORTANT NOTE :All Cooper S vehicles affected by this Recall Campaign are also in the range of the Emission Recall Campaign 04E-01: Reprogramming DME for Tank Leakage Diagnostic (refer to service bulletin M12 01 04). Make sure that both recalls are performed during the same service visit.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
This Recall Campaign involves MINI Cooper S vehicles with W11 engines which were produced from 06/23/2002 through 07/26/2003.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this Recall Campaign, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed below are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.

 

So week or two ago i had put a vacuum pump on the BPV found it would not hold vacuum, Figured the diaphragm was leakin so i bought a used BPV, But i relized this BVP had same issue as mine when i got mine off, the rubber line was too large or swelled, it was snug in the out hood, but not tight on the nipple, and i had smoke machined the car and did not find it periously

So a smaller inside dia hose is needed,

 

I am a new member to the P2096 Club. YAAAAAAAAY!

 

Wow you can check codes from your iphone? Very cool. What app is that?

 

It's the Rev2 App.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...or-iphone.html

The only bummer is, I can't clear this code. I am wondering if this is one of those cases that it's 'hard-coded'. Kinda bummed I spent about $200 to keep looking at my CEL. lol

 

Yes, it is a "hard code". Even if you clear it, it'll come back next time you start the car.

Quoted from post#60 on this page

 

I too now have this fault code, P2096. I've been reading about it all day now. Everytime I clear it, it resets on the 2nd ignition cycle every time. I did talk to a Mini Tech at the local dealership here & was told that there is a good chance that the MAP sensor is at fault. Inspected mine, oily residue present, probably due to poor cleaning of air filter. But then again, that was done just before thanksgiving & I took a trip up to St. Louis & the car ran great, even had really good MPG! I have noticed that within the past month or so my gas mileage has dropped a lot. I drive an 03 MCS with just over 86K on it. I have a CAI & catback exhaust, a 15% pulley. Hope this helps any body. Will update if I find any other info.
chris