New England Off Topic and Banter as Most Brilliantly Proposed by Cape Cod MINI

[yellowmininy]

You mean like a virtual Heimlich maneuver?

[MetalMiniMayhem]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoNo

Should I encounter any 3M-like issues, such as choking as a result of not being able to chew my food properly, I'll be sure to post on here right away to determine what my best course of action is.

Annette... should you commemce choking, do some jumping-jacks, it'll increase your heart rate and you'll black-out in no time..

[JR9907]

Quote: Originally Posted by bakerjc

If the ECU throws a fault, the light pops on the dash. If you bring the car in for an emissions inspection with the light on, you will fail. Immediately. They will look no further. (If you are going in for the mechanical inspection they can ignore it, but most won't).

So, the point is:

1. The car is throwing code faults, starting before the 50,000 mile mark. This is documented.

2. MINI is unable to ascertain the problem, but have not gone into full mode repair on the car.

3. The Feds state that ECU, diagnostic hardware and the catalytic converter is warrantied for an extended time period, in some states (and I think it's more like all) to 80,000 miles.

The way I see it: There is a problem with the emission system. The car is throwing faults. That MINI cannot diagnose the issue, and at this point is unwilling to swap ECUs etc goes against the implied warranty and the Federal mandate for emissions.

If it were me I'd be camped out in front of MINI NJ Headquarters with an big inflateable lemon on top of the car calling the Attorney General and news media outlets. In my slack time I'd be setting up the www.miniservicesucks.com website.

I'd need someone to get me coffee bagels though. No? Will you be available?

Jeff,
A check engine light does not always mean an emmisions fault.It could be something as simple as simple as a misfire code or a loose gas cap,also something could be amiss in the auto trans control unit.If the CEL cannot be diagnosed, 99% of the time the problem lies in the engine ECU. If that is the problem (and I strongly feel that it is) then any competent MINI dealer should honor the 8 year/80,000 mile emmisions warr. and replace the ECU..Just my 02.

[yellowmininy]

And if you fall on your back, or with your fist at your ribcage, you can perform the DIY Heimlich!

[chs4]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoNo

I'm sitting here, trying to eat my soup, and I'm finding it rather difficult as my jaw appears to be somewhat off its hinge. Should I encounter any 3M-like issues, such as choking as a result of not being able to chew my food properly, I'll be sure to post on here right away to determine what my best course of action is.

Who chokes on soup???

[NoNo]

Well it's more than just broth! There's vegetables and beef and pasta, too. Plenty of opportunities to choke on something. But you all will be glad to know I made it through my soup without dying. Hopefully the Goldfish will be equally kind to me.

[snek]

Quote: Originally Posted by JR9907

Jeff,
A check engine light does not always mean an emmisions fault.It could be something as simple as simple as a misfire code or a loose gas cap,also something could be amiss in the auto trans control unit.If the CEL cannot be diagnosed, 99% of the time the problem lies in the engine ECU. If that is the problem (and I strongly feel that it is) then any competent MINI dealer should honor the 8 year/80,000 mile emmisions warr. and replace the ECU..Just my 02.

My mother's Contour had the check engine light come on right after the car passed the inspection. The gas station mechanics couldn't find the problem, but with a tailpipe sensor they discovered the car wasn't polluting. So I just taped over the dashboard light and she drove around with it for 2 years until it was time for the next emission check up.

Then I took the car to a Ford dealer, where it sat for a week. They replaced parts, called the factory, ran the car cold and warm and finally told me it must be carbon deposits in the cylinders. It could run as high as $2000 to sandblast. Or she could apply for an emission test exemption, which would make the car unsell-able.

She agreed and maybe because they felt bad for her, they offered to do the wiring harness recall. I went to pick up the car and take it to the EPA to get branded as an official "polluter" - even if it wasn't. And as soon as I drove off the lot, the stuborn light that was on for over 2 years went out.

It hasn't been back since...

[jwardell]

dont you think it would be a really good idea to start your own thread about this so everything is documented in one place...theres no way any dealer or mini exec is going to root through this one

[hwy61]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoNo

Hopefully the Goldfish will be equally kind to me.

that sounds like one of those old timey college contests... how many were you planning on ingesting ?? and i'd watch out for that soup coming back up !!

[NoNo]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell

dont you think it would be a really good idea to start your own thread about this so everything is documented in one place...theres no way any dealer or mini exec is going to root through this one

Cranky today, are we? Don't worry, I've got it covered over at NEMINI, without Baker's rantings breaking up the discourse.

[bakerjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoNo

Cranky today, are we? Don't worry, I've got it covered over at NEMINI, without Baker's rantings breaking up the discourse.

Your loss.

[NoNo]

As established earlier, Mr. Baker, I love you, and as such treasure every bit of drivel that passes through your lips. Please don't take offense.

[bakerjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by JR9907

Jeff,
A check engine light does not always mean an emmisions fault.It could be something as simple as simple as a misfire code or a loose gas cap,also something could be amiss in the auto trans control unit.If the CEL cannot be diagnosed, 99% of the time the problem lies in the engine ECU. If that is the problem (and I strongly feel that it is) then any competent MINI dealer should honor the 8 year/80,000 mile emmisions warr. and replace the ECU..Just my 02.

I think my point was as exactly you see it......I'm just stating that MINI needs to attend to this problem. Remember how the service write up for her last visit was marked as they were doing her a favor (I forget the correct phrase. Customer Goodwill?)? That's wrong.

I'm through ranting. No is yelling at me. After all the things I've done for her.

I have half a mind to show up in Keene tomorrow...........give her a good what for.

[NoNo]

Who's Yelling?! I Said I Loved You!!!

[NoNo]

Huh, look at that. M2 presumes I didn't mean to have the caps lock on when I typed that. How wrong they were.