Cold weather & warning lights

Discussion in 'Starting Line - New Member Introductions' started by bdb, Jan 11, 2017.

  1. bdb

    bdb New Member

    Jan 6, 2017
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    Hello...new member and as so you feel shy and stupid posting. But I need some guidance. Living in northern WI it gets cold! Below 15 degrees F every warning light lights up until the car is warm and then restarted. Not restarted they stay on. You'd think it was going to explode as you drove. It's a '12 standard hatchback, 25k miles and all maintenance current. Thank you all for your thoughts.
     
  2. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    I can't answer your question but I can welcome you to Motoring Alliance the best MINI forum on the interweb !!
     
  3. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Welcome. Don't be shy, most of us don't bite.

    That's a new one on me. Since it's doubtful everything in your car is failing below 15 degrees, there must be a computer related thing going on, I would think.

    If it is a consistent thing, it should be easy for your MINI dealer, or other experienced MINI shop to replicate. They would just need to park it overnight when it's bitter cold out, and start it in the morning.

    I hope you are still within your warranty period.

    Good luck!
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    Welcome to MA!

    How old is the battery? Mini can act funny when the battery is going bad. The heat weakens battery then in the winter they don't have the power they should. Once a battery worms up it will have more power. Usually if the battery is in that shape it wont last long. Take your car to any parts store and have them check the battery. Just putting a multi meter on it is not a good test, it must be load tested.
    Let us know what you find, it may help someone els.
    Good luck
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Please tell me you replaced the 5 year old OEM battery since you have had the car in the very cold winters in Wisconsin?
     
  6. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to M/A! :Thumbsup:

    I'd guess it may well be your battery.
     
  7. gjxj

    gjxj Member

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    Is it in limp mode? My `10 would go into limp mode sometimes on a very cold morning, but only if I tried to drive away too soon without letting it warm up at all. (Once in limp mode It would never clear no matter how long you let it warm up, but would be fine if you just shut down and restart. )
     
  8. derek.gray.988

    derek.gray.988 New Member

    Jan 12, 2017
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    I had this issue with my r56. I needed a code reader to figure it out. There was a bunch of oily crap built up in the throttle body. When cold it would freeze and not allow the throttle plate to move. If it was warm, I wouldn't have the problem. I would read the error codes to try and track down the malfunction.

    Sent from my R1 HD using Tapatalk
     
  9. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to Motoring Alliance the only MINI forum you'll ever need !!
     
  10. bdb

    bdb New Member

    Jan 6, 2017
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    Thank you all for the thoughts. Battery was replaced last spring and is healthy. (When the OEM died it did so instantly...no warning that it was getting tired.) I'm 2 hours away from the dealer so it will be a while before I can resolve this and of course timing is everything too.
     
  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Quick fix - move somewhere warmer. :lol:
     
  12. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    I had the same in my 08, but only in single digit temps. I keep a heater in the garage now to avoid this.
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I wonder if all the MINI owners in Canada have to use garage heaters too? Did MINI skip the cold weather testing?

    We don't have a MCS, but our 2008 cooper has never had a problem starting or running in cold weather. It lives its life outside & rarely is in the garage.
     
  14. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    I just figured the oil needed to be warmed up. Since I'm not switching to a winter weight due to how wild our temperature swings are here in Ohio, and also not really knowing if that would be a good idea or not anyway for a turbo.
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    We run Mobile 1 0w40 synthetic & for me that is a winter & summer weight. What weight are you running Zapski? Thinking about this, bet the Canadians use block heaters.
     

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