engine power failure- EML and oil lamp warnings lit

[Allyson]

My 2002 Mini pooped out on the motorway today. Soon after morning start, the EML and oil lamp came on and acceleration felt strange- I stopped and check the oil level ( it was normal) and thought it was just reactions from a cold start after two days of unuse. I restarted and all the warning lamps went off after a few seconds. Then after a 45 minute drive and a fillup, the motor suddenly lost power on the motorway in 5th gear on a slight incline.( maybe five minutes after I had stopped at the gas station) I geared down to fourth and lost even more speed and power, and noticed those two same warning lights on. Took the nearest exit driving slowly in the emergency lane ( my warning blinkers worked!), found a parking lot downhill from the freeway exit ( coasting) and was towed by the Mini service after an hour's wait. It's a semi- holiday here in Sweden so the workshop is closed till Monday. They lent me a VW Golf to drive! It's not the same

[retroom]

Sounds like the problem is caused by a bad engine wiring harness and/or defective throttle body.

If either is diagnosed bad it needs to be replaced.

retroom

[swamos]

Maybe the engine has an auto shutdown on low oil pressure?? If that is the case, then maybe you've got a failed oil pump, or sensor...

Let's hope not

[Allyson]

Thanks for the comments- will keep you posted. I've heard when the EML light goes on that the motor has a self-limiting power supply. I hope it's nothing too serious- I was embarrassed that my new Mini was being demeaned by being hauled off publically and sad that it is sick.

[Allyson]

It was a defective throttle body and my Mini works beautifully again. It's such relief after driving this Golf. No problems about the replacement parts covered by the warranty either. A very friendly dealer in Solna, Sweden too.

[minitech]

the engine harness in most of the minis as of now might be defective and might bring the car to an idle or turn the oil light on and so on.the micro pin connection mini is using are faults and poor. as of a low oil shut down they dont use that.i hope they will fix it....good luck

[crooksm]

The same thing happened to me about two weeks ago and the dealer replaced the throttle body.

However...I started the car this morning and the engine warning light came on and stayed on until after I drove the car to work (about 10 miles). It was different to the previous symptoms though as the EML light did not come on neither did I experience a loss of power.

Has this happened to anyone else??

What do you think this may mean?

[HarryHBMCC]

Unfortunately, it means you have to go back to your dealer. Could be they didn't fix the real problem or could be coincidence, an entirely new problem.

Harry

[Allyson]

It me again six weeks later and my 2002, 5 speed failed again. The engine warning light came on again two days ago after a failed ignition, but went out after a third restart. Today after an acceleration to pass, the EML and engine arning lights came back on. Every time I lightened up on the gas pedal my car would hiccup with bad acceration. Drove directly to MINI repair and got another rental replacement ( Audi A3) Maybe this time they need to change the wiring harness??

[crooksm]

Yep - sounds like it. When it happened to me first time round they replaced just the throttle body. Then two weeks later it happened again and they replaced the wiring harness. It's been six weeks now and, touch wood, everythings been fine.

Hope it stays that way

[Hobbe]

Allyson,

if you´d like to find MINI people in Sweden try:

http://www.coopersweden.se/

We´re a few in the Stockholm area already.

[Allyson]

I'll have a look- tack!!

[Allyson]

Well here I am again- having had my MINI in the repair shop for nearly 2 weeks- they replaced the throttle body for the third time and I ( refering to this forum) said they should check the engine wiring harness as well. They instead diagnosed a problem with the throttle housing and have replaced this part after its arrival from Germany. I feel when I release the gas in 2nd and 3rd gear a vague hiccuping feeling, but maybe I am over sensitive at this point. ( My MINI has had five visits for repairs since Dec 2002) Today my rear hatch wouldn't lock either and getting no sound advice from the dealers on the phone, I found a solution on this site. ( Open hatch, push wing buttom on remote to reset locking ) Thanks for existing my fellow MINI owners!!!

[bg1229]

ALY,SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS,I CANT SPEAK FOR THE BOOT ISSUES AND I HOPE I AM NOT BEING REMISS HERE BUT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WON'T REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS? I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT 7000 MILES AND RECEIVED THE SAME ADVICE ABOUT THE W HARNESS BY OUR BUDDIES HEAR ON THIS SITE.I NOW AM HAPPILY TROUBLE FREE.BUT ENOUGH OF THAT.WHEN YOUR DEALER PERFORMS THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST,I WOULD IMAGINE THEY WOULD SEE THE HARNESS ISSUE PERHAPS THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE DEALER,WHO SHOULD,IF ANYTHING BE BENDING OVER BACKWARDS FOR YOU.I REALLY DO HOPE YOU GET THIS ALL SORTED OUT SOON AND CAN BEGIN REALLY ENJOYING YOUR CAR

[Neeshil]

Yeah I had my EML light come on when i was on the motorway. There was no lane to pull over. (grrr!) Ended up being the wiring harness which the replaced. It is a 'known' issue with BMW's and Mini's (my mum had same problem in her 318i and my friend in his 325ci!)

Why haven't they done a recall?