[wow]

An orange engine failure light cam on this evening. The power of the car reduced and felt as if there was no turbo.

Just before the light came on i did some energetic driving.

What could be wrong? Does the dealer need to take a look?

[msh441]

Sounds like you somehow triggered the ECU to go into "limp mode".

There are a number of ways to do this. Usually surrounding heat (oil temp or coolant temp) or oil pressure (hitting the twisties or braking real hard when your oil is a bit low will cause it to slosh abound and pressure fluctuates).

After sitting a while, does it start back up and feel normal again? If not, take 'er in.

[mamba]

Happened to me once... was a 32deg celsius day, sitting in traffic with the aircon running, the yellow half full engine light came on and the car had no turbo, no power... after driving another couple of kms in limp mode I switched the car off and let it rest for half an hour... came back, restarted, the engine light flicked on but got all my power back... the engine light turned off as I drove off.

Brought the car in for it's first service (18000km) two days after and told the service adviser about the incident. They found the fault registered within the system but could not determine the cause so did nothing about it... hasn't happened since but it hasn't been as hot either...

[wow]

I have taken it in.
I have been informed that a sensor was damaged and has been replaced.

I will get the car back tomorrow

[ScoobyDoo]

This is one of the reasons that I traded in my R56 for another MINI.... to cut a very long story short after buying contaminated petrol I had to have the ECU replaced as trying to start the car when I broke down damaged the original one..... since then I had nothing but problems and I couldnt take the car over 4000rpm with out the engine management light coming on and the car going into limp home mode... on one occasion at 11pm on a Sunday night on the M6 I was on my own and had to pull onto the hard shoulder and it took 5 attempts to get the car going again

The car went into MINI on numerous occasions and it then started developing faults on the cylinders (this was when I decided enough was enough). This happened in a worse case scenario and I am convinced that it all stemmed from having to be worked on for 6 days trying to clean the crud out of my petrol tank ............

I hope you car is fine now.........

[minisfan]

I purchased a new MiniCooperS 07 built Jan 18th 2007 on April 3rd 2008. Engine light + many other lights can on while I was driving, loss of power etc.. My mini has spent a total of 15 days at the dealer for repairs. Listed below are the parts they needed to replace in April 08
12-14-7-630-107 Control Unit VIN (took 8 days to come from BMW Germany) and 16-11-1-184-084 Gasket.
Once the Control Unit was replaced the computer indicated DMTL major leak so the mechanic replaced the DME and programmed, found left sending unit retaining ring loose. Removed retaining ring and found tank seal out of position and folded inside tank. Replaced left side fuel sending unit seal. Ran DMTL seal test, no leak detected.
Picked up car and ran perfectly until May 19th. On the highway radio cuts off completely and then lights come on and loss of power. Pull on side of highway, turn of the car, wait a few minutes. Start the car but vehicle electrical failure warning light comes on. Drive to destination, car cool downs. Drive home, no more warning lights. Strange!!! Phone dealership on May 20th. Take car in May 21st. This time need to change the alternator parts # 12-31-7-575-872 Exch alternator 150. Suspects intermittent loss of voltage supply from alternator.
Dealership in Ottawa Canada is excellent provided loaner car and even provide a refund for part of my lease payment for vehicle. Owner of dealership expressed his concern. Advised him that he should replace the car if it happens again. I hope that resolves the problem.
I love my Mini CooperS this is my second mini. First car was a Mini Cooper 05. My first car had no issues in the dealership 3 times over 36 months. Let's hope this one is not a lemon.
I read a lot of issues with Engine Lights and loss of power, I hope that the information is useful to other mini owners. I think BMW is aware of these issues this is why they recommended changing the Control Unit. The reason it take so much time for the part, is that BMW Germany must configure the part in Germany.

[grodenglaive]

Quote: Originally Posted by wow (original)

An orange engine failure light cam on this evening. The power of the car reduced and felt as if there was no turbo.

Just before the light came on i did some energetic driving.

What could be wrong? Does the dealer need to take a look?

I just had the same thing happen. I had the car in for scheduled maintenence and also to check some knocking sounds from the engine. They needed to replace the vacuum pump. Ten minutes along my drive home, I notice the lack of power, like the turbo isn't working. Then the engine warning light comes on and back to the dealer we go. It turned out that they had forgoten to re-attach a vacuum hose when they changed the pump.
I was relieved that the car was not to blame, but a little miffed at their carelessness (and not for the first time).