I have searched around prior to posting, but no luck.
I couldn't even get the, "Sticky: Please read FAQs prior to posting" thread to open-up for me. ?!?

So, -
I purchased some MINI 15" R81s & replaced my 17" MINI R90s.

As soon as I have all the lugs tightened, I hop-in to go for a drive. I release the parking-brake, she moves about a half inch or so, making a very odd sound in the meantime, almost like I'd forgotten to tighten a wheel & it was about to fall off!

On close inspection, I can see nothing, so I start her up just to go 'round the block slowly....

When I get her out & moving, - the emergency light rings & lights up "{_!_}"?

What did I do?! [wrong]? I pulled a Homer somehow/somewhere here!

Our closest dealer is 60 miles away.

-s.b.

_________________
MINI: Best horse for the buck!

 

This sounds as though you somehow affected the ABS wheel sensors. I am not sure what would happen with the MINI if you used wheel bolts that were too long (from a thicker-flanged wheel) and they protruded too far into the hub.

Since you have used a stock MINI wheel and downsized you tire-wheel combo (it's a popular thing to do), I can't think of any other issues other than what I covered.

Any other ideas, anyone?

 

Sounds more like your runflat sensor is going off. The runflat sensor works differently in the MINI, than let's say the Corvette. The MINI runflat sensor detects changes in wheel movement from one wheel to another. Let's say for some reason that you hit a bump and the wheel starts to spin at a different rate than the other 3, your runflat sensor would be triggered. Don't know what would make it do that just form changing tire sizes though.

Cabbage

 

Your wheel change was OK.
It's your runflat sensor that needs to be reset.
Do this-
1. Turn on ignition so that your dash lights up, but don't start car.
2. Look for the runflat reset button under the e-brake handle.
3. Press the reset button and hold it for a few seconds until you see the orange flat tire indicator light up on the dash.
4. Your good to go. Start the car up and over the next few miles you drive, the car's computer will re-calibrate the flat tire sensor.

You should go through this procedure every time you alter the pressure of the tires, or in your case, change wheels/tires.

I found this listed in a previous thread by jwtucker- thanks jw.
Now go try it out!

 

>>4. Your good to go. Start the car up and over the next few miles you drive, the car's computer will re-calibrate the flat tire sensor.
>><<

The sensor will re-calibrate after driving it 10 miles. Try this and let us know.

 

Everyone's right about needing to reset the flat tire or runflat sensor, but before mentioning that s.b. wrote something a bit more worrisome to me ....

>>I release the parking-brake, she moves about a half inch or so, making a very odd sound in the meantime, almost like I'd forgotten to tighten a wheel & it was about to fall off!
>>
>>On close inspection, I can see nothing, so I start her up just to go 'round the block slowly....
>>
>>When I get her out & moving, - the emergency light rings & lights up "{ ! }"?
>>

s.b. - Did you continue to hear any "odd sound" other than the runflat sensor ringing while you drove 'round the block? If so, what did it sound like? I wouldn't go through the sensor reset drill and drive 10 miles or so to clear it if you're still hearing anything as odd as "like I'd forgotten to tighten a wheel & it was about to fall off!" In this case your ears may be the more important sensor....

 

That was my concern. noises = trouble in many cases.

a wheel swap should not have resulted in a noise on the first few inches of movement, especially a noise that make you think the wheels are about to come off!

 

that tire is both taller and wider than the stock 17. my guess would be that it's rubbing somewhere. i bet it looks good, though...

 

You all nailed it! :smile:

bodinski, - eyeballed, it looked 2 hairs smaller than the 205/45/17 R90s. I have moved it about the neighborhood & found no audible sign or feeling of rubbing thusfar (knock, knockin').... I'll continue to pay close attention as I take her back out soon. Thanks for saying you guess they'll look good, too.

*They do look good, IMO. Though, the wife enters the garage & says, "Hmm. You got the ugly ones?! They look like they're black balloons. Interesting, though."
:smile: Lovin' little spoonful!

Regardless, - just wanted to let each of you know that you were certainly up to my simple task. I'll have to find a more difficult one in the future.

-.s.b

_________________
MINI: Best horse for the buck!

 

glad it's ok. how 'bout a picture? (i gotta thing for big ugly balloons..)

 

Same thing happened to me. I went from the 15" holies to the 16" v-spokes then switched back again and the light came on. I reset it and it was fine.

 

>>glad it's ok. how 'bout a picture? (i gotta thing for big ugly balloons..)

I'll snap a kodak asap for ya, bodinski.

The Holey's actually grew on the wife pretty fast. This morning she said, "They fit, kinda like ol' Skodas [missing hubcaps]. But 16s may fit even better." => She means that in a romantic, preservationist point-of-way.

She's my :smile:

Boy, if we could get our hands on some of the cars & options they've got over there! :smile:

Thanks again,

-.s.b

_________________
MINI: Best horse for the buck!

 

The clunky noise was probably the suspension settling back down after being jacked up. When you lower the car back to the ground with the e-brake on, you will often have a slight tension between the wheels going from unsprung to sprung. I have experienced this on several cars...