SES, DSC, EML lights come on

[tonjohn]

When I start my car, the SES and DSC lights come on and stay on. Sometimes my car will stall even in neutral. When I drive, the car will violently buck once the RPM's get around 2-3k in any gear. Eventually, the EML light will come on and the throttle will stop responding. The only way to get the throttle to respond again is to shut off the car and then turn it back on - This is not safe to do on the highway going 70mph which I have had to do several times.

Anyone have any idea as to what is causing this?

And, what exactly does "EML" stand for?

My car is a '03 MCS w/ 15% pulley and Alta CAI. The car worked fine and never had this problem until I got it back from being repaired after an accident. I have taken it back once to get the problem fixed, they said they fixed it and it turns out they had not. I am taking the car in tomarrow, but I would like to get a better understanding of what the possible issue is.

Thanks for all your help in advance!

[allan michael]

TJ

I haave a very similar problem...i have a 17% pulley. I had the steering angle sensor and wheel sensor replaced 2 weeks ago ...but the DSC lite staying on and not being able to turn off. I am going to another delaleershiop in 2 weeks --- we'll see. Luckily i never have sputtering... i have an '05.

allan

[Slimmy]

Not owning a mini myself yet, I'm going to have to make an assumption on the meaning of DSC. I assume this is for the Dynamic Stability Control. Do not have a clue what SES is. But i know that EML is to do with the Engine Control Unit. When this light comes on, it means that there is a fault within the car, that is potentially dangerous. It is not always to do with the engine though, as with my mothers Lupo the EMC (equivalent to EML) light came on when a fault was detected in the brakes. Anyway, as you have had a decrease, and even a total loss of power, this would point to a fault in the engine. When a fault is detected in the engine, that could potentially damage it, the ECU will go into 'Get You Home' mode. This reduces power, and revs to help protect the engine. The only thing i can think of that would lead to no engine response at all, is perhaps if the ECU thinks that the potential damage is too great, it will stop you going anywhere. So restarting the engine to fix the problem, is probably a bad idea, as the reason it does it is to protect itself.

Remember, that what i have said is based on what i know of other cars (i am a bit of a car nut, and find the workings of them fascinating ), and what my friend, who works at the MINI plant in oxford, has told me about the MINI. So it may not be completely accurate, but i am fairly confident about what i have said.

[allan michael]

Habberstad Mini in LI, NY fixed my problem today...finally after the great Prestige had 3 cracks at it- who insisted it was my 17% pulley- NOT!. Habb may be my new dealership, now?!

Water in the DSC unit. They cleaned out the DSC unit and put a sealant on the contacts- 30 mins. When i left, I nailed it as hard as i could going back to NYC on the service road along the LIE, in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th --- i was going too fast at this point though --and the DSC lite flickered but never came on and stayed on in any gear --- what a relief.

I'm stoked!!
allan

PS THDUKE thanks for your suggestions.