Most liked posts in thread: Trifecta of lights and an electrical burning smell

But but red calipers!

 

Yeah, I'm guessing that one wheel is dragging so that's why my first inclination is the calipers. I do hope it's a e-brake cable issue now that you mentioned it, that would be a cheaper/easier fix. What's the best/easiest way to test that out based on your experience?

 

Here's what happened last night. I started to drive home, the lights still on. Halfway through, trifecta shut off and no more faint squeal. I parked and did not engage the e-brake but I felt each of the rotors both rear sides are hotter than the front. I raised them and with the handbrake disengaged, I hand spun each side and noticed a bit of resistance. Shouldn't it take very little effort to spin it? Like closer to freewheeling? The e-brake is working as intended as far as I can tell, it clamps down when needed and releases when needed.

It's looking like I may need that scanner now but I'm so cheap! I'm in Chicago, there's a dealer and a ton of shops around me I'm thinking about getting the closest one to scan. I might try the scanguage that I have again first to see if it throws anything, I doubt it will.

Side note, what do you all think about this set? https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/schwaben-46-piece-1-4-drive-set/010747sch01a~sch/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5J_mBRDVARIsAGqGLZCgmW0SmipNf_gtcAq87HkQfu42MfQ3js8plFBTbwTMwZloeg6l2BMaAo84EALw_wcB I don't have any of those hex sockets and I quickly found out last night that I wasn't gonna go any further without them.

 

I ordered a proper scanner, one that is highly recommended by MINI owners and it's on its way now. I'll check out the battery, though I think it's fairly new. I just picked her up from the dealer and she's only 20 days old to me. Unless they thought it wasn't necessary to change out to a new battery before the sale (I sure hope not). I may also stop somewhere to pick up a 3/8 drive torx socket so I can check the caliper pistons.

Thank you guys for taking the time to help me btw, things seem more frustrating when you feel like you're by yourself. I don't have any experience working on cars but now that I have my own garage, I can finally start getting my hands dirty so expect more rookie questions from this weekend mechanic. As they say, there are no dumb questions, right?

 

Well, I cleaned one of the sensors. The right side one on the front looks brand new. The left one looks a little warped from the heat the lights went away for a little bit but this morning it's back so I'm thinking it's a replacement sensor that's needed. Low pressure light is now blinking though...

 

Geez, you had me for a second! I watched so many videos on YouTube, and none mentioned that haha.