Question 1st Gen R53 S 100K+ EML, DSC, ABS, and low pressure light, suddenly loud and limp mode

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Katjak20, Jul 8, 2021.

  1. Katjak20

    Katjak20 New Member

    Jul 8, 2021
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    I have an 04' R53 MC S

    I drove my car on lunch with no problems or lights (except the EML). on my way home the DSC and ABS light, and low tire pressure light came on. While at a red light i shut the car off and then turned it back on to see if they would go off. When i restarted the lights were still there and then when i took off my car was suddenly very loud like the muffler fell off or something and there was also a loss of power (wouldn't go above 3k rpm).

    I am very new to mini coopers and am looking for assistance in where to look or what to try first before losing a check with a mechanic.

    The car is older but for the age the miles are relativity low (140K). This car is also 2nd hand so I am unsure of what has been replaced, changed, etc.

    I was hoping that the car was in limp mode but am unsure how to reset it or how to tell if that is actually what is happening
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Usually those three lights mean ether you have a bad wheel speed sensor or the ABS unit is bad. Not sure what the loud noise is. It sounds like it is in limp mode. Have you checked the codes? Any parts store can do it for you. Also have you looked under the hood or at the exhaust? Do you do any of your own work?

    also welcome to MA!
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Katjack20 if you let us know where you are we may be able to point you to a competent MINI mechanic. Like MCS02 says it looks like a bad wheel speed sensor. You do need to have the codes read to see what the problem really is. A parts store may be able to read some codes, but others they will not. You'll need a MINI/BMW mechanic for that. Good luck & let us know how it goes.

    Welcome to M/A
     
  4. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to Motoring Alliance
     
  5. Katjak20

    Katjak20 New Member

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    Thank you!! I like to do the work if I can however I’m not to experienced so if it’s above my skill level I’ll take it somewhere. I’m not sure if the limp mode trifecta are related. Maybe they are because the car thinks the abs is shot?
     
  6. Katjak20

    Katjak20 New Member

    Jul 8, 2021
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    Thank you for the warm welcome!
     
  7. Katjak20

    Katjak20 New Member

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    Thank you for the welcome! I am in fort pierce Florida. Any recommendations near me for a good mechanic?
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I'm in Ohio, but hopefully someone close by knows a good shop for you. If you don't have one already get yourself a Bentley manual. It is a real wealth of information. Not cheap, but they can be found used much cheaper if you search around.

    Bentley manual 2003 MINI cooper
     
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  9. Katjak20

    Katjak20 New Member

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    Thank you, I really appreciate the insight. I have always really liked little cars, gremlins, sparks, fiat but i feel in love with the mini cooper. It just has so much personality. I will keep my eyes peeled maybe I can find a pdf version for less money.
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Let us know when you have the codes read, that will help. I don’t know why but on the R53 a lot of the time it’s the front left speed sensor.

    gremlins? This makes me question your sanity. But hay you like Minis so I guess that makes you as crazy as the rest of us.
     
  11. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Gremlin eh? I knew a guy who ran one in Pro Rally competition. He was far from normal, but not quite insane. Heck Lee his Gremlin had a V8 & it was fast. Didn't handle worth a darn though. :Dead:

    Funny thing, when my MINI gave me the trifecta of lights it was indeed the left front wheel speed sensor. Katjack20 I would get the code read before buying any parts. Good luck.
     
  12. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    It is odd that when the trifecta comes up from time to time over the years the left front wheel speed sensor seems to be the culprit more time than not.
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    @Crashton Ok a Gremlin with a V8 would be crazy. Back then there were several cars that had V8 that couldn’t turn. Remember the Vega?
     
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  14. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    With V8’s stuffed in them both could be fun on drag strip but great road handling manners would not be their forte.
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Yes I do remember those. I don't think there was a V8 offered in that car. A few people did swap them in. There was a guy who used to come to auto x who had a V8 swapped Vega wagon. He steered it with the gas peddle, quite the smoke show he put on.
     
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  16. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    And now, back to the topic...WELCOME TO M/A!
     
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  17. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I recently had the very same problem in my '03 R50 with the ABS and tire pressure lights coming on and not going back off, even after having been "reset" several times. I spoke to Crashton [my closest M/A member here in OH], and he responded in #3 of this topic...the very same problem. I set my R50 aside for about 3 days, since it all started during the weekend and everyone was closed. When I went to restart the R50 to take it in for a mechanical looksee, the lights were still "on". However, after driving the car about 1/4 mile, the lights went "off" and have not gone back "on", since, and I have about 700 miles on the car since.
     
  18. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Hey Jeff, please send me a check for $200. That is my hourly rate for long distance diagnostics.
     
  19. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I would have, except, at the time. it was just a guess and quickly forgotten...until I "reminded" you of that very incident!
     
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  20. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    One other thing to check is the crank pulley.......can cause some weird issues when failing.
     

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