I just recently bought a used 02' MCS with 19,000 miles. I really enjoyed the first five weeks of ownership, however the past two have been troublesome. Two weeks ago, my car failed to exceed 10 mph (safe mode I suppose) the entire cluster lit up with warnings. After a week at Mini of Nashville the wiring harness was replaced under warranty. All was fine until yesterday, (one day after getting it back from service) when the check engine soon light appeared. For some reason the car idles at high rpm's(anywhere between 1200 to 2000). It revs every 10 seconds or so. Get funny stares while waiting on red lights. I have an appointment on Tuesday at Mini of Nashville to have it looked at and hopefully fixed. I'm assuming the issues are related to engine harness being replaced . Any thoughts?

 

British build quality rules!

 

It would help if we could get the code number it's throwing.

It's probably throwing the code - P0507 Idle Control System RPM Higher Than Expected - indicating that it's idling too high. Do you know whether or not they replaced the throttle body when they swapped the wiring harness?

The TSB that deals with the wiring harness also deals with the TB.

 

HAHA You think you have problems!!! How would you feel if you bought a "brand new" 2005 Mini and only 6000 miles into ownership...you're car basically needs to be rebuilt? That's what's happening right now to me. My airbag light came on a little while ago and finally got around to making an appointment. Well while I was on the phone I figured I'd mention everything else that was wrong with my car. First off the clock doesn't stay set....(tsb!). So they had to replace my instrument cluster, then I was getting this horrible clicking sound coming from the front end everytime I would takeoff from a stop going forward or backward...turns out I need new axleshafts. Next up...while parked in neutral at idle a very loud "dieseling" sound would come from the engine bay and if I depressed the clutch pedal the sound went away....well turns out I need a new flywheel!! (Also a TSB!!) Oh and finally the airbag light...well the passenger airbag sensor in the seat went bad and that needed to get replaced as well. So my cars been there since Thursday morning and I'll be lucky if I get it back by the end of Tuesday, oh and did I mention I had to practically beg for a loaner....very frustrating and I just bought this car brand new only a few months ago. Sorry for the length but I need to vent to some Mini people. Freakin German engineering!!!!!

 

My Infotraxx account for my '03 MCS is up to 13 pages of TSBs.

There is a (mis?)perception that the quality of the 05s and 06s has dramatically improved over the 02s and 03s.........

What do you think, Vern? Agree?

 

I want the TSB # for the flywheel the nly one I could find was for 04 MINIs and seeing as I'm going back to have my door fixed for the third time (already had the instrument cluster air bag etc. done) on Monday and would like to convice the dealer that my subtle click is because of the flywheel. You know what though I love it! And wouldn't trade for any other car!

 

Check your PM in about 5 minutes for a pdf file of the TSB.

 

THE CONCERN THAT YOU ARE HAVING SOUNDS LIKE A "TPS" FAILER OR IT IS JUST MISREADING. tHE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR READS SEVERAL ITEMS AND TRIES TO ADJUST FOR ALTITUDE AND TEMPERATURE AMONG OTHER THINGS. IF THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD, IT MAY HAVE SHORTED THIS SENSOR. TRY OPENING THE BONETT, LOOK FOR THE AIR BOX AND FOLLOW THE HARD PLASTIC "HOSE" DOWN TO THE THROTTLE BODY. YOU SHOULD NOT NEED TO REMOVE ANY PARTS. JUST GET A SMALL SCREW DRIVER HANDLE OR SOMETHING SOFT AND TAP LIGHTLY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND AT AN IDLE. THIS SHOULD JAR THE SENSOR LOOSE AND CORRECTG YOUR IDLE ONLY IF THE SENSOR IS JUST STUCK. IF IT DOES NOT, THE SENSOR IS BAD AND THE DEALER WILL REPLACE IT FOR YOU. I HOPE THIS HELPS

 

Thanks

Buzz good advice but with the caps lock its a bit hard to read.

 

I had this happen to me when I developed a serious vacuum leak. The tube between the supercharger and the throttle body came loose and the engine was sucking in more air than it could handle. Fixed with a string of hose clamps to keep that bad boy attached to the supercharger.

 

Could be a problem with the supercharger bypass valve. I had to get mine replaced. I was experiencing similar problems to what you describe.

 

I just got back from the Mini of Scottsdale Dealership and have a quote for 2000.00 to fix my mini. I cannot drive over about 12 miles an hour. They said 2 different errors are coming up. Throttle body communication and steering angle sensor. They say I have to replace Engine harness, Throttle body and Steering Angle sensor. Does anyone have advice for a new mini owner on how not to get screwed at the dealership. I am in a PS/B MC 02. Not under warranty.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Camille

 

How many miles on the car?

It's a known issue - there is a TSB out that deals with your year - unfortunately, the car is out of warranty.

$2K is high to replace the harness - I was quoted $1,200.00.

 

Maybe you are seeing a $800 premium for being the only dealer in Arizona? I think the next closest dealer is in Lost Wages....

 

Could be - the TSB mentions the part no. and the labor involved in doing the harness - I'd try showing them that.

 

Problem solved,at least I think so. Had appointment last Tuesday with Mini of Nashville. They tried reprogramming DME (control unit) but were unsucessfull, so they ordered a new one that they installed today. Thank goodness for warranties, I can only imagine the repair bill on an engine harness and a DME $$$$$$. What a difference it makes, thumbs up to Ryan Lewis and the service folks at Mini of Nashville.