1st Gen R53 Cooper S P2096

To start im beginning to think Broknsmurf hates going to MOTD, This may also be preemptive as I haven't been home long.

To start I drove from Dallas, GA to Robinsville on tuesday (about 176 miles) without issues. I filled up at the shell in Robinsville (93 as always) and proceeded to Fontana where my car was parked for the rest of the day.

Fast forward to the sunrise smokies run on Wednesday. My MINI is driving without issue. While we are cruising on 74 (around 60MPH) I get an SES light its a P2096 never had any weird blips studders or anything. Once we get to the visitors center at the smokies I clear the code with my scan gauge and the light remained off for the rest of the drive (through the smokies up through TN and back on the dragon)

The next day on the brewery run I get the same light on 74 cruising at about 60 (seeing a trend here?)

Long story short even after clearing the light it eventually comes back but it only seems to happen when im riding steady speeds which always tends to be in the 50-60 range.

I have done searches on this code and it seems like there are multiple causes for it. unfortunately for me I have to do my emissions test in about 3 weeks so I need to figure this out.

Before my trip I replaced my IC boots (a week before to be exact) I saw a thread where someone mentioned a replacing the boots remedied this code. I plan on redoing the job just in case maybe something isn't sitting right there.

I also plan on checking the exhaust flange gasket because when I put my used borla on if I remember correctly I reused the factory gasket and maybe it is now leaking.

Am I on the right path with my thinking here? or is it possible I am over thinking this all together and that maybe for some reason my MINI just doesn't like something about the gas in NC? I filled up this morning but still had 75miles left on my range and got the light on again on my ride into work.

I have also read that this code is a hard code on several threads and that a special tool is needed to clear it. however when I clear the code with my scangauge the light will remain off for sometime until I get to moving at a steady 60, even then it is unpredictable on when it turns on. I did the ice cream run on Saturday and the light didn't turn on until I left Bryson city (after a fill up at shell if that helps)

If you are still with me so far I apologize for the long post, just want to get as much info in as possible.

 

Thanks Nathan I forgot to mention that. I pretty much did a mind dump creating this thread. Guess that detail got lost.

 

I briefly spoke with chad at the dragon he suggested not worrying about it. which I am trying to do, I just realized how soon I have to plug up to re up my registration and now I'm slightly worried. I tried doing the reset through the computer (key to on position etc) I guess I could try taking the battery cable off tonight. Perhaps I need to just see what this week brings before going too crazy.

 

It has happened a couple times now since I have been home. I still have the original sensor in there. I'm about to roll over to 124K

 

I will be sure to update once I see a ready state for my emissions (assuming I can keep the light off that long). I cleared the light from this morning before I went and got lunch, I'm hoping I can make the drive home without seeing it and maybe the gas from this morning solved my problem (could be wishful thinking).

 

This is what I'm hoping for Dave, the ride home from work I didn't get the light on so I won't be playing with Broknsmurf tonight. I guess I will just wait it out and see what happens. If this does end up being a fuel/elevation related issue I am curious as to why this year my MINI didn't like it, age/mileage maybe?

 

If it ended up being the post o2 I would most likely go the way of a simulator, mainly because I eventually intend to buy a header and go catless. I plan on reving at every prius I drive by so they can hear me undoing their work :wink:

 

well as of this evening my MINI passed emissions. I have yet to do anything to it either. I had a code this morning, so I did a computer reset (through the odometer) then cleared the code. I found a thread on how the drive cycle processes so I figured I would attempt to drive the car in a way that the tests would be able to complete. about half way from home I checked the readiness and it said ready. I figured what the hell lets see if I pass, and it did

I have a strange feeling this isn't the last time ill see the P2096 code as I was driving my mini in a very spirited/aggressive manner just to keep the code from coming on, instead of cruising at around 2400rpm in 6th I left it in 5th gear which kept the RPMs up. I am just relieved now though that I will be able to get my registration renewed and if the code persists I have more time to deal with it. I plan on keeping this thread updated as time progresses.

 

Just wanted to do a final update. I guess I made this thread to soon after I got home. It seems once I got some gas or even just drive time out of the mountains the light continues to stay off. Either that or Broknsmurf is done messing with me cause I passed emissions. I will have to see what this time next year brings.

 

I've been dealing with this code for the past year now, I kinda just don't pay attention to the light anymore. I just replaced both the manifold and cat gaskets as they were obviously leaking, no luck code came back. The odd thing is if I clear the code and drive the car hard.. constantly keep the revs all over the place I can get the ECU to go into ready status (so I know I can get my emissions to pass). If I had to guess the O2 sensor is probably dead, I'm at 136K now on what I think is the original sensor.