2nd Gen R56 Cooper S How do Errors Reappear, After Time or Mileage?

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by genik, Jun 10, 2016.

  1. genik

    genik Member

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    Suppose that there is an error on the car's diagnose. I do not fix it, but just erase it. From what variables is the error depended on to reappear? Is it mileage or is it time?
    To be more explanatory, is it a matter of how many km the car makes after the error deletion OR is it a matter of days to reappear even though i do not move the car?
     
  2. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    It is not dependant on time or kilometers, if a sensor detects a reading out of specifications, the Engine Control Unit will set a code and cause the check engine light to turn on. If you delete the code with a code reader and the condition that caused the code still exists, the ECU will set the code again.

    However, many times the conditions that would cause the ECU to set a code are transient or temporary, That means that the out of specification conditions lasted long enough to set a code and then went back to normal, in these cases you can clear the code and it won't come back.

    if you don't delete these temporary codes, the ECU will delete them itself after a set number of starts I don't remember how many starts that it takes, it is something like 30 or 50 starts.
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Some hard codes are stored on the ECU and you need a special tool ($287.00 Scanner) to clear them. I use the BavTech tool which you use with a laptop and the OBDII cable they send you.
    http://www.bavariantechnic.com/buy.aspx

    AutoZone, Wal-Mart and Pep boys scanners cannot clear the hard codes saved in the Eprom.
     
  4. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    +1 to the above....
    On so e items the computer just reports what it sees....some items have a test procedure that the car monitors, or a cycle....the emissions systems usually use a combination of running conditions (hot, cold, open loop, closed loop etc) before it flags an error...but it usually has a "readiness" monitor that monitors the system and flags it as not yet passed or ok'd yet and this might not be eligible to pass an inspection if you have one for that system....
     
  5. Sig

    Sig Member

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    What kind of error code are you getting genik?
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    WHY DID YOU HAVE TO ASK THAT??:lol:
     
  7. Sig

    Sig Member

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  8. genik

    genik Member

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    Errors that indicate a faulty Solenoid valve (SOLV).
     
  9. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    What code did you get?
     
  10. genik

    genik Member

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    Dont have it! :(
     
  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Go get the code and report back.
     
  12. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Hmm. Pencil and paper works wonders.
     
  13. genik

    genik Member

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    Dave and FireBro, its a long story, if i could i would!
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    So no info means no help. :lol:
     
  15. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Code readers are cheep and very good to have around. You should get one.
     
  16. genik

    genik Member

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    I do have a code reader but i dont think that its doing a good job just FYI the codes that were thrown were... P000A-Powertrain and P0420-Powertrain Catalyst Sytem Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank1)
     
  17. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    The cat efficiency code will likely reappear in a few days after the "cycle".... it basicly means your catalytic converter is no longer working....often due to age or leaded fuels....sometimes a leak or bad flex joint can be the issues...letting in o2...the oxygen sensor just sees excess o2 and says it's not working. So do check for exhaust leaks....like a cracked header pipe, bad flex joint, or bad gasket.
    Power train is just a generic code.... sometimes from wheel spin...not super common on gen2 cars, it is VERY common on the gen3.
     

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