08 Mini Clubman S Check Engine Light no codes

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The Check Engine Light just popped on on my 08 Mini Clubman S and I have taken it to 3 different places to scan for codes and no codes are coming up. The car has recently been idling rough and sometimes dies upon start up after it sits overnight or longer but after about 30 seconds to a minute or 2 it starts idling fine and it runs smooth with no seeming problems after that. This started happening about a week before the check engine light came on.

I don't drive the car a lot. It is an 08 and only has about 33k miles. I would try to drive it at least every 2 weeks depending on the weather but recently I've decided to drive it more so I've been driving it almost daily.
 
Sounds like the throttle body or IAC might need a good cleaning. Was the weather very cold that day? Is the car stored in a garage or outside?

Nobody can find the Codes? Where these shops you went to Mini Specialists or Euro Garages in Denver?
 
Generic OBD II readers can only see the OBD codes. In many cars, that covers about 5% of available/possible codes.

Get this read by a Mini specialist, not an auto parts store. You need the Mini software, or a professional code reader.
 
Many PCMs require a constant power circuit from the battery to remember codes while the key is off. The lack of that power will cause the codes to not be saved. Also that could explain why it runs poorly for a while after every startup-- the PCM needs to recalibrate since the memory was lost.

So try driving until the CEL comes on, then hook up a code reader and scan without turning the key off.
 
I replace purge valves all the time on them for this issue. Most people say they stall coming to a stop as well. Internal valve fails and allows an unmetered air leak from the evap.
 
VAG vehicles aka volkswagen auto group "speak" their own language as well! i have RossTech software in my computer since my 2001 jetta, it gets on line updates for newer vehicles + saved me some $$$ in the past. i like minis but would newer buy one as they are problematic + being a BMW product parts + labor repairs are $$$$! you might join mini specific forums for free + get more info on your issue, good luck!
 
You need a more expensive scanner that speaks Euro car haha. The regular OBD scanner the parts store will run for free may or may not have that capability.
 
Originally Posted by benjy
VAG vehicles aka volkswagen auto group "speak" their own language as well! i have RossTech software in my computer since my 2001 jetta, it gets on line updates for newer vehicles + saved me some $$$ in the past. i like minis but would newer buy one as they are problematic + being a BMW product parts + labor repairs are $$$$! you might join mini specific forums for free + get more info on your issue, good luck!


I just went through 2 different Mini forums and it seems to be such a common problem with Minis that it is called the "Mini flu"! Seems like dealer service and Mini/BMW shops rack up huge bills trying to chase the cause of this. Sometimes it is from a battery that is getting near replacement, sometimes PVC valve, sometimes fuel filter, sometimes fuel pump, sometimes bad gas, etc. etc. Many owners go through all of these and still don't solve the problem. Sometimes going down to a lower octane of gas solves the problem. Dealer and Mini/German car shops all charge no less than $99 or more just to hook up a scanner. Guess I will have to take it to one of these shops to see what's up.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by Garyd

I just went through 2 different Mini forums and it seems to be such a common problem with Minis that it is called the "Mini flu"! Seems like dealer service and Mini/BMW shops rack up huge bills trying to chase the cause of this. Sometimes it is from a battery that is getting near replacement, sometimes PVC valve, sometimes fuel filter, sometimes fuel pump, sometimes bad gas, etc. etc. Many owners go through all of these and still don't solve the problem. Sometimes going down to a lower octane of gas solves the problem. Dealer and Mini/German car shops all charge no less than $99 or more just to hook up a scanner. Guess I will have to take it to one of these shops to see what's up.


You are just guessing unless you have the proprietary fault codes. A "Mini" shop that can't trace down a CEL is simply incompetent- period. That said, if you want to take a shot in the dark, you might try adding a 20 oz bottle of Techron to an almost empty tank and filling up with Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium fuel.
 
Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by Garyd

I just went through 2 different Mini forums and it seems to be such a common problem with Minis that it is called the "Mini flu"! Seems like dealer service and Mini/BMW shops rack up huge bills trying to chase the cause of this. Sometimes it is from a battery that is getting near replacement, sometimes PVC valve, sometimes fuel filter, sometimes fuel pump, sometimes bad gas, etc. etc. Many owners go through all of these and still don't solve the problem. Sometimes going down to a lower octane of gas solves the problem. Dealer and Mini/German car shops all charge no less than $99 or more just to hook up a scanner. Guess I will have to take it to one of these shops to see what's up.


You are just guessing unless you have the proprietary fault codes. A "Mini" shop that can't trace down a CEL is simply incompetent- period. That said, if you want to take a shot in the dark, you might try adding a 20 oz bottle of Techron to an almost empty tank and filling up with Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium fuel.


I will give this a try. Do you think taking the negative battery cable off to reset the CEL before doing this is a good idea?
 
Originally Posted by Garyd

I will give this a try. Do you think taking the negative battery cable off to reset the CEL before doing this is a good idea?



I wouldn't bother with it; if you do you'll have to reinitialize your power windows and it still may not clear the codes.
 
Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by Garyd

I just went through 2 different Mini forums and it seems to be such a common problem with Minis that it is called the "Mini flu"! Seems like dealer service and Mini/BMW shops rack up huge bills trying to chase the cause of this. Sometimes it is from a battery that is getting near replacement, sometimes PVC valve, sometimes fuel filter, sometimes fuel pump, sometimes bad gas, etc. etc. Many owners go through all of these and still don't solve the problem. Sometimes going down to a lower octane of gas solves the problem. Dealer and Mini/German car shops all charge no less than $99 or more just to hook up a scanner. Guess I will have to take it to one of these shops to see what's up.


You are just guessing unless you have the proprietary fault codes. A "Mini" shop that can't trace down a CEL is simply incompetent- period. That said, if you want to take a shot in the dark, you might try adding a 20 oz bottle of Techron to an almost empty tank and filling up with Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium fuel.


I tried your suggestion and it seemed to work. It stopped idling rough and dying at first start up and ran smooth and the CEL went out.

Then a couple of weeks after going through the tank of Shell V Power, I refilled it with Costco Premium gas and on the next cold start, it idled rough and died and then it kept cranking but wouldn't start. I let it sit for a couple of hours and it started but it idled rough for about a minute before it ran normally (the symptoms I was having before). A few days later upon a cold start, it idled rough and died, then wouldn't start (but it still cranks). I let it sit for a few hours but it still wouldn't start (but still cranks). After trying to start it for a few minutes, there was a real strong gas smell. It is acting like it's flooded. I've tried to start it a few more times but it just cranks and it almost catches but it just won't start and it starts smelling strong of gas. I checked the oil and I can smell gas on the oil dipstick.

I don't know if this is just a continuation of the original problem or bad gas from Costco. Can fuel injected cars become flooded?
 
You really need to take it to a shop that knows Minis and has the proper tools to diagnose and service them. This shop is nearby and is affiliated with BIMRS so I'd suggest giving them a call.
 
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