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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Posted: December/19/12 at 2:07pm |
Going to drive to San Francisco tomorrow in my Clubman. It will be a long drive. The cruise control will be in heavy use.
Now, before I start... the car is a year old and for the last week the engine light has been coming on. I was going to take it into the shop, but the one time I made an appointment, of course the light wouldn't come back on. So, I canceled the appointment. My guess is that it's a sensor problem. The car doesn't give me any other indicator being more specific. I've checked all the fluids, and everything seems fine. Though, I checked the oil when it was warm - if that matters on a Mini. When I first start the car in the morning - the light is not on. It's only after I drive it, turn it of, and back on again, that the light comes on (but, not always). Should I ignore it, and go anyway? I'm thinking that I'll go to a shop in San Francisco if it continues or gets worse.
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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garumph
PSMINI Expert Advisor PSMINI Member Joined: October/15/06 Location: Federal Way Status: Offline Points: 1083 |
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you should hook it up to a OBD2 code reader. Costs about $100 at most garages, or free if you hook up with one of the folks here in PSMINI. It will at least tell you what is turning on the light.
I have one if you want to come by Federal Way.
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Gordon
Clifford, '14 Countryman All4 S Hunka Burning Love, '12 Coupe S, Burnt Orange Flames, '05 MC Black |
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Kirby11
PSMINI Driving Member PSMINI Member Joined: July/28/11 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 119 |
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I think O'Reilly or Autozone has code readers you can use for free, too. It'll give you a code #, then you can google it to find out what it means.
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2011 LB/W MCS "PINTSZE" (*SOLD*)
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ipeverywhere
PSMINI Admin PSMINI Treasurer Joined: June/16/10 Location: Sammamish Status: Offline Points: 1273 |
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MINIs hold a fairly extensive list of codes in the computer (a check of Alsatia today found a fault from June that never tripped the CEL) even after the light goes out. Even if the light goes out the dealership's service department can look at the history. A standard OBDII scanner cannot read the history so the light must be on for the scanner to see anything. Even then some codes are hidden from standard readers.
Is it yellow or red? If it's yellow you may be fine. If it's red I'd figure out exactly what the code is before going on a long trip. Sometimes you can get a code from the display by going into the "info" area. Also, tighten your gas cap. The CEL will come on if your gas cap is loose. |
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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Yeah, for the last 1/2 hour I've been trying to get NCS-Expert to work. It sees that the engine is on, and I can get some data, but I don't know if it's data from the software configuration or from the car.
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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The light is yellow (I'm sitting in my car now). There is nothing in the settings or "Vehicle Info" to say what the issue is. I'll try the software for a fe minutes more, but it's really a pain trying to guess what all the German means. :)
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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CINIMIN
MINI Motorer Joined: August/27/05 Location: Everett WA Status: Offline Points: 4676 |
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Try this - Remove the gas cap. Reinstall it making sure it is properly seated and tighten 3 clicks if is one of the older ones or just tight if it is the new type.
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Jack -
<font color=RED>CINIMIN [/COLOR] 2006 CR/W MCS - 6spd - LSD -15% Pulley - Dinan CAI ASA JH6's Koni FSD's 22mm Bar Have you hugged a curve today? |
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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Well, I don't know if it has anything to do with anything, but the light isn't coming on now.
So, I don't know. I don't want to guess, but I need to leave... so, I think I'll just go. I really wish I could figure out how to use the NCS Expert software (I have the cable too, if you were wondering). I think that it should tell me the answers. I was avoiding using it originally because I know what a pain it is to get working. I tried a few months ago... and gave up then too. Really makes me want to write my own.
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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CINIMIN
MINI Motorer Joined: August/27/05 Location: Everett WA Status: Offline Points: 4676 |
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After reseating the gas cap it takes a couple starts to get the CEL light to go out. Have a great trip to SF!
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Jack -
<font color=RED>CINIMIN [/COLOR] 2006 CR/W MCS - 6spd - LSD -15% Pulley - Dinan CAI ASA JH6's Koni FSD's 22mm Bar Have you hugged a curve today? |
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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Thanks for the help. I'll follow up when I learn more.
Also, I'm planning on making a video of the trip on the way back (1 frame every 4.8 seconds = 12 hour trip compressed into 5 minutes). I'd film it on the way down, but I'm in a bit of a rush, and don't have time to mess with the camera.
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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CINIMIN
MINI Motorer Joined: August/27/05 Location: Everett WA Status: Offline Points: 4676 |
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One other note about the gas cap issue - it usually happens after filling up with gas - but the light doesn't come on until the tank is down to a little more the 1/2 full - at least that was my experience on a trip to Idaho... |
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Jack -
<font color=RED>CINIMIN [/COLOR] 2006 CR/W MCS - 6spd - LSD -15% Pulley - Dinan CAI ASA JH6's Koni FSD's 22mm Bar Have you hugged a curve today? |
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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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That corresponds with what I've seen so far. Just went to go move the car, and the light wasn't on... so... we'll see.
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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Marc
MINI Motorer Joined: October/10/12 Location: Everett Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Turns out: It had nothing to do with the gas cap. There is a recall on a temperature sensor. This is what was failing. I just had it replaced Thursday.
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Beastie - Jan 2012 JCW Clubman (auto), Eclipse Grey, Black Trim & stripes, tinted windows, technology & Cold Weather pkg.
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SMOG
PSMINI Member PSMINI Member Joined: April/07/09 Location: Port Orchard Status: Offline Points: 4296 |
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Do you know how old the recall was? I have noticed that MINI does not let you know about recalls until you bring the vehicle into a dealership and they say something like, "Oh, by the way, there was a recall on that part". Crappy way of doing business.
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I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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Sixate
PSMINI Admin PSMINI Treasurer Joined: November/07/12 Location: Tacoma, WA Status: Offline Points: 511 |
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You can/should go to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administrations site and check on your vehicle(s) at:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchVehicles And register on Safecar.Gov to receive any recalls via email at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/subscriptions/index.cfm
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07 MCSa Laser Blue w/ checkboards everywhere
Transmission 6 speeds...Gas pedal 1 speed....Full Speed Ahead! |
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SMOG
PSMINI Member PSMINI Member Joined: April/07/09 Location: Port Orchard Status: Offline Points: 4296 |
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Good idea, thanks for the Links! You would think that MINI would tell you for that $35K you pay for the car.
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I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW.
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