Tire pressure system confusion

[jcsinnh]

Sorry if this is repetitive but I did check the FAQs. Last night, after being parked for @2hours my MCS and I left a lot and headed home. I noticed (after @ .25 mile) that my tire light and my DSC light were on at the dash, not blinking, no audible warning ping - just steadily on. I drove a little further to a street light, turned the car off, checked tires, saw no visible problem. Got in, started the car, both lights still on, pressed the button under the ebrake (then wished I hadn't), and the lights went off. 18 miles home, no problem, pressure seems right at 32psi. Owner's manual of little help here. Did I reset anything by pressing the center button w/o adding or subtracting air. Wha' happened??? Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Ooops, 17" runflats all season.
John

[Kev'sCoop]

just means the senors are confused the dealer can reset this i have had it twice and kept going been reset once but thi stime dont think i will no harm done really.

[dco43054]

My tire light was on at delivery. Was flashing though. I checked tire pressure and reset it.

Did you accidentally hit the DCS switch and turn the system off? But having the tire pressure light glowing steadily, too, would be a concern.

With as computerized as these cars are, sometimes I think the computer just loses its mind and stopping, turning off the ignition, and restarting seems to reset the system and let it think clearly again.

The DSC would reset itself on a restart, but the tire light wouldn't if a problem really existed. Might be worth a dealer call just to be safe.

[jcsinnh]

No, I didn't hit the DSC. Just a steady light from the dash tire and the DSC. I understand that the DSC will light if the tires have a problem. Anyway, if it happens again, I'll call the dealer. One problem is that my nearest dealer is a 2 hr.+ drive away. You know, my biggest MINI problem is that the manual is so poorly done. Thanks to mini2, minionline, and the great kids at miniusa customer service in Columbus area, I feel secure. Still don't understand what that button under the ebrake does, is for??????????????????? Thanks for your reply. My pressure reads @34psi on all 4. No lights this AM.

John

[HarryHBMCC]

DSC shouldn't light if tires have a problem, just the tire pressure light. Some people have had problems with their car's sensors so if this happens a lot I'd take it to the dealer.

The button is for resetting the tire pressure. When I got my winter wheels and tires, the rotational rates were so different that the tire pressure warning went off. I had to manually reset it to make it go away.

Harry

[phong13]

this a problem with your DSC malfunctioning. If you had a flat tire, then the flat monitor would be blinking. If you had turn off the DSC, then the DSC light would be on. If the DSC was activated, then it would be blinking with some pings. when both are constantly on, then it's a problem with your DSC.

do a search on "flat tire + DSC" and you'll find more discussions about this topic.

[gt4pete]

As long as the DSC light goes off after a reset or ignition cycle, you're fine. About 75% of the possible fault codes for both DSC and RDW (the flat tire monitor) are bad load values for the sensors. Which can occur for (roughly) a million reasons. As long as the lights are going out after a reset, you'll be fine.

If the lights continue to stay on, or if they come on more than 5 times in a week, you have something more than just a finicky sensor pack.

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by jcsinnh
...You know, my biggest MINI problem is that the manual is so poorly done. Thanks to mini2, minionline, and the great kids at miniusa customer service in Columbus area, I feel secure. Still don't understand what that button under the ebrake does...

My only problem with the manual is that there is so much there to read and understand. It is as good or better IMO as most of the manufacturer's manuals for the cars I've owned. There are some inconsistencies and minor errors, but with the computer programs for the cars changing so often, its no wonder.

Ditto - MINI2. I don't really frequent MINIonline. Don't care for the "stream of consciousness" post approach. Have gotten a lot of good info from MINI2. Even contributed a little.

And yes, 855-ASK-MINI is located right here in beautiful Columbus, Ohio. I've been meaning to find the place to see what kind of drugs they give the "kids" to make them so doggone perky.

Regards,

Dave