DSC comes on after hard brake, Service Engine Soon light on now

[roymo]

HELP!! Day 2 in our 2006 MCSC, and we've hit some trouble. After a moderately sharp brake at a stop light, the DSC light came on (solid - not flashing), and Service Engine Soon light came on. A minute or so later, it started to run really rough, like it was misfiring badly, and the Service Engine light started blinking. We parked and turned the car off. When we started it again, the SES light stayed on, but not blinking, and it seemed to be running ok, but after another somewhat sharp brake, it did the same thing again. Again, turned the car off, restarted after a minute, and it drove home fine, though the SES light is staying lit. Any guesses as to what we're dealing with? It's about 40 miles to the dealer, and we're wondering if it's ok to drive it. It's only got about 130 miles on it.

[roymo]

Thanks for the encouraging words Max. We decided to drive it on down to the dealership and leave it for the service department to have a look at in the morning.
The SES light stayed on the whole trip, as did the DSC light, but the SES light occasionally changed to flashing and the engine ran rough and lost power at that point, then it would improve again and the SES light would go back to solid. Hopefully it's just some kind of sensor problem. Hate to be having problems with our brand new baby!

[roymo]

Well, so far the service department is claiming it was a single-incident misfire, at least that's what the computer's telling them. So, at first glance they don't think there's anything actually wrong with the car - just a glitch that's worked itself out. Considering we brought it in on limp mode last night after having problems on and off over an hour-long trip, I'm not inclined to agree.
They're still checking the car over thoroughly, though, so I have hope they might find the problem yet. They've also offered to deliver the vehicle back to us. Normally I'd be strongly opposed to that idea, but if they don't find a problem to fix, we may take them up on that offer, so when the misfiring kicks in they'll be the ones driving it.

[roymo]

Service dept never could find anything wrong with the car, and couldn't duplicate the problem we'd been experiencing, even with a good LONG test drive. By the time they got back to us, it was too late for them to deliver the car. We ended up picking it up later that evening and driving it home ourselves. It drove fine, freeway and side streets, for the entire 40 mile trip home. So, at least for the moment it's doing ok. Thanks for the tip on the spark plugs - they did test ours but found nothing wrong with them. I can imagine a fluke problem causing a misfire and triggering the service lights, but I'm mystified as to why we would have had problems on and off again and only a single misfire code logged in the computer.

We'll see how it performs this week and go from there. Thanks for the support and suggestions! Hopefully it's just a fluke and we can go back to MINI adventures of a less stressful nature.

[Joe Z]

Sorry to hear about your problems...

Our 2006 with 500 miles on it.. Is on its 3rd CVT Auto Transmission and 2nd Power Steering pump / unit...

Joe Z

[roymo]

Joe,
So sorry to hear about YOUR problems. What a nightmare! Can you go the lemon law route?
Ours has been fine since we brought it home from the dealer again (knocks on wood...). We're really hoping it really was just a fluke event. I hadn't posted an update for fearing of jinxing it.