Hey very new to minis and this forum. Just got the car in February and today my check engine light came on. In a previous car I owned (non mini ) there was a way to see what code it was throwing without a scanner. Is there any way to do that on an 05 r53? Please help. Can't find any info with searches. Might be searching the wrong thing though. Thanks for any help.
You will need a code reader of some type. Autozone and other parts stores can often read them. We have a full listing of all the codes for reference. We can also help diagnose the issue with the code. Please visit ECU Codes Chart - 1st Generation MINI - Library for the codes.
You can have autozone read them, but that's only a temp reading as they tend to not be specific. You need to get a scanner, or a friend with a scanner.
Ok thanks. That's what I was afraid of. Just got this car as a daily driver and already having several issues. Love the car other than that.
^^^ Yup any small laptop or netbook with a Windows based OS will work with the BavTech software. You just cant use a MAC. iMac, iPad even with windows emulators.
The advantage of the Bav Technik reader vs. the Auto Zone readers is that it reads proprietary MINI codes, which are a great majority of the codes that your MINI will store. We sell it as well.
Also buy a Bentley Service Manual. This is an absolute "must have" for your MINI. I have the hardback edition that has a comprehensive section for all of the diagnostic codes.
[Apple Authorized Service Provider of over 20 years Experience] You could just boot the Mac into a Windows OS. They can run either operating system natively, no emulation needed. Just restart, and boom, Windows works exactly the same. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201468 Of course there are also plenty of cheap used laptops out there, which might be simpler. [/Apple Authorized Service Provider of over 20 years Experience]
Yeah many people have tried that with mixed results. I a sure it was user error. Code=Id10T A net book is about $200.00 and that's all I use it for.
I gave up long ago trying to run anything diagnostic automotive on my macs. Dedicated windows laptop in the garage. Only windows based computer I own. Not even allowed in the house. Lol.
In the end, it really probably is much simpler to get a dedicated cheap laptop. But you know, I gotta say that kind of thing, or I'd lose my standing in the Apple Cult hierarchy.
This one MINI Repair Manual - MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S: 2002-2006 *-* Bentley Publishers - Repair Manuals and Automotive Books
I have a few Apple products and I like them so I guess I am also in the cult. (iPad, iPhone, iPod) Then again when real work and business need to run they run on they run on PC's with Windows OS. Is it better? I did not say that. It just what the industries have chosen because Apple is very proprietary with its hardware and software.
I have a few Apple products too and I like them so I guess I am also in the cult. (iPads, iPhone, iPods) I'm writing a lot more these days which I can do from anywhere. Being urban a wi-fi signal is pretty much prevalent. Simple tools such as https://draftin.com/ keep the screen clean leaving it easy to write without distraction. A Google Pro acct provides tons of cloud storage, access to the suite of Apps and all kinds of account tools. The only thing really keeping me to a Windows based desktop is the screen space I have here. It's so much easier to play with code when you have 3 giant monitors. Also have a Windows laptop for the ViPec.
Yes there is a way to view codes. With the key in the ignition, but in the off position, press and hold down the odometer reset button with one hand, while holding the button down, switch the key in the ignition to position 1 (first click) with the other hand. The screen will have a number and the word “tEStâ€. Here is a list of all the tests on your MINI: 1.0 Chassis number 1.1 Kilometer count 1.2 Parts number 1.3 Coding-, Diagnostic- and Bus-index 1.4 Production Date (Calendar week/year) 1.5 Hard- and Software status 1.6 Injector status, Cylinder count, Engine factor. 2.0 Comb system Test 3.0 Service interval counter 4.0 Actual fuel consumption in l/100km. eg.0154 = 15,4 liters/100kms. 4.1 Consumption in liters/100kms. 5.0 Distance consumption in l/100kms. 5.1 Actual rest distance with available fuel in Kms. 6.0 Actual amount of fuel in tank. eg. 123321 =12,3liters left 32,1 liters right 6.1 Total amount of fuel in tank. 6.2 Show value of Fuel gauge. 1= both senders OK, 2= sender failure, 3=ti signal implausible (no reading) 7.0 Actual coolant temp. 7.1 Actual outside temp. 7.2 Actual engine revs. 7.3 Actual speed 8.0 Hexadecimal readings of menu 7.0 to 7.3 9.0 Actual on board voltage (Battery) 10.0 Land codes 11.0 Unit codes 12.0 No function 13.0 Gong test 14.0 - 14.4 On board diagnostic codes. eg 000000 = no failures 15.0 - 18.0 No function 19.0 On/Off for Test menu. 20.0 Correction factor for Fuel consumption Formula for correction: Shown consumption x 1000 / user defined consumption Push the trip reset button to begin the correction. Numbers count up from 0-9, when correct number shows push trip reset button. 20.1 Sets 10ths. for consumption factor 20.2 Sets 100ths. and 1000ths. For consumption factor 20.3 saves the new consumption factor and shows new value 21.0 Software reset. (Same as disconnecting battery)