"Service Engine Soon" False Warning - 2005 MCS Autos

[Kraigster414]

Appears to be a software glitch specifically with the MCSa. I am told that Mini is aware of the problem and is working on a fix. My "service engine soon" light went on today and I have only driven 1200 miles. I will call my dealer on Monday. Seems to be a fairly common problem with our car. Check the link below.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=40751

[aquaanox]

yup. mine came up today.. called the dealer.. said they are working on a fix.. the light comes and goes....

[Kraigster414]

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...970#post524970

More info at the above link

Yesterday, the "service engine soon" light went on (at 1200 miles) today it's off. Go figure. Coincidently, yesterday was also the first time I tried out the paddles. Could it have been related? I am still calling my dealer tomorrow.
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[Kraigster414]

Agua, I live in Northern VA. Let's stay in touch on this. What dealer did you call? Sterling? I plan to call tomorrow to set up an appointment.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kraigster414

Agua, I live in Northern VA. Let's stay in touch on this. What dealer did you call? Sterling? I plan to call tomorrow to set up an appointment.

Follow-up...I called my dealer's service dept. They are well-aware of the problem - more than I can say about MINI USA when I sent them a message at their site. It is a software glitch. Dealers are waiting for a fix but don't know when it will be. I was told to check back in a few weeks. 'Appears to be a common problem with the new MCSa. I would say if your "service engine soon" light is on - mine went off and after 2-days and it's still off - call your dealer but it seems like a waste of time to bring your car in until the fix is available. Then again, better safe than sorry - there is always the possibility it could be an unrelated problem though the chance of that is pretty slim according to my dealer.

Overall, this doesn't seem to be worth losing sleep over. Drive on!! I love my MCSa!

[neandoz]

I have a 2005 U.S. spec MCS here in the UK. My service engine soon light came on at 15,000 miles. The dealer replace a power feed to the sensor and it solved the problem for a week. It came back on and then promptly went off when I went to the dealer again (go figure). Now it's back on. I'll mention the software glitch to the dealer on the next visit and see what they say. Any other advice will be welcome. Cheers.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by neandoz

I have a 2005 U.S. spec MCS here in the UK. My service engine soon light came on at 15,000 miles. The dealer replace a power feed to the sensor and it solved the problem for a week. It came back on and then promptly went off when I went to the dealer again (go figure). Now it's back on. I'll mention the software glitch to the dealer on the next visit and see what they say. Any other advice will be welcome. Cheers.

The software problem seems from everything that I have read, to be limited to the 2005 MCSa. If you have a 2005 or older MSC stick and your "service engine soon" light is on (or goes on and off) it could be an entirely different problem and I would advise taking your car in for a check.

[HoustonMini]

looks like I've joined the club on this one...900 miles and the service engine soon light came on, on my way to work this morning. I've got a call in to the dealership (waiting for a return call), so we'll see what they say. Though I'm sure its just the glitch. But just to be safe I'm being very careful in how Audrey is driven. I'll keep everyone posted when I hear something.

EDIT - 2pm EST. On my way home to lunch today the light had turned off. So far it is still off and I have yet to hear from the dealership.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by HoustonMini

looks like I've joined the club on this one...900 miles and the service engine soon light came on, on my way to work this morning. I've got a call in to the dealership (waiting for a return call), so we'll see what they say. Though I'm sure its just the glitch. But just to be safe I'm being very careful in how Audrey is driven. I'll keep everyone posted when I hear something.

Welcome Houston. You are in good company. Let us know what they tell you and if I hear any news, I'll post back.

[HoustonMini]

Update on SES light coming on

I spoke with Keith at the Mini of the Woodlands (just outside of Houston, where I purchased my car), he was great help (as always) on our problem. He told me that they are expecting the software update by the end of the month. [Call your dealer for more exact info for your MCSa]. Which is good for me, as I'm right around 1000 miles right now and should be taking it in soon for my first oil change.

A quick fix (maybe that's not the right thing to call it, but instead a way to turn the light off - though I just spoke with him so I haven't tried it yet.) is while driving on a slight decline (hill, mountain, driveway, will all work fine for this) let the car coast (thus cooling itself a bit). Do this twice and the light should turn itself off.

Keith and another MCSa owner figured this out earlier. Just have to let the car coast (cool off a bit) on a downhill slope twice and it should turn the light off...for now.

For those interested, he also told me it was an 02 error...though I'll be honest, I'm not exactly sure what that means. I know about the 02 errors in MS Windows (somewhat), but not on cars.

Hope that helps......

[Kenmini]

Man .. I'm very happy for you that the service guy actually figured out this temperory fix for you man...I think MINIUSA is working hard to get this problem fixed .. ... Here in Canada ... My dealer is still unaware of the problem with the MCSA and the computer ... I guess not alot fo MCSA is sold here in Canada, so tthis problem didn't come up as frequent to be noticed by MINICANADA. When I took my MCSA back to the dealership to have this thing check up ... they said they couldn't find anything in the computer LOG because the SES light wasn't lite up at the time. So they said no problem found .... They suggest me to drive my car to them right away when the light lite up again...

[HoustonMini]

Well I haven't actually tried it out yet, but if anyone does be sure to post and let us know if it works. I'll do the same.

[Kraigster414]

Houston, thanks! I copied and pasted your latest update in an email to my dealer.

[Timmymac]

Just turned 1,300 on my '05 MCSa and on it came. I'm in Omaha, so I'll be e-mailing my dealer in KC tomorrow.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by Timmymac

Just turned 1,300 on my '05 MCSa and on it came. I'm in Omaha, so I'll be e-mailing my dealer in KC tomorrow.

Please let us know what he says, thanks.