1st Gen R53 Cooper S What does this mean?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by FranticFreddy, Feb 13, 2011.

  1. FranticFreddy

    FranticFreddy Drive-N-Eat
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    What Does this mean?
    2-13-11 Dash.jpg

    Symptoms: ABS Light on, DSC Light On, Flat Tire Indicator light on.

    First happened after an oil change at the dealer.
    The lights go out after the car is shut off then restarted.
    The flat tire light does not come back on but the ABS light and DSC light remain lit for a few seconds then they shut off.

    Second time it happened was the next day when I had new tires put on.
    Same thing happened as above. after shutting the car down.

    Drove for about 150 miles on the highway the next day and nothing happened.

    Today, go out for a drive and after experiencing some rough roads the lights come on.
    Shut the car down and the lights go out as before. Continue on, cross a rough bridge, BINGO lights on again. Shut the car down and go on again. Another rough bridge and again.

    Seems to indicate something is loose.
    Any Ideas??
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Probably a lose connection wit a wheel speed sensor. Check them all.
     
  3. FranticFreddy

    FranticFreddy Drive-N-Eat
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    Thanks

    At least I now know my MINI is not going to launch into hyper-drive!
    You never know what all the different combination's of lights mean. :crazy:
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    If thgere is a bad signal from the wheel speed sensors ti will affect the ABS and TPMS systems. Had the exact ame issue last week. Checked the wheel speed sensors and found the front one was gopped up with road crap. Cleaned it up and viola, the issue was gone.
     
  5. FranticFreddy

    FranticFreddy Drive-N-Eat
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    How do you get the wheel sensor out?
     
  6. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    Mine started doing the same thing a couple of weeks ago and cleaning fixed it. A real good cleaning behind the hubs where the sensors are plugged in and check the connectors should take care of it unless a sensor has actually gone bad. I wouldn't think there are any moving parts in one of those so what can go bad unless broken wire or connector or evil spirits. You really want it to be just dirty 'cause the sensors are expensive.
     
  7. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    See the black wire in the picture below? That's the sensor. It plugs into the steering knuckle (big piece of steel) behind the brake rotor dust shield (rotor not shown here). Jack the car up and turn the steering wheel to one side so you can get access to the area behind the wheel. If you trace the sensor wire up and towards the engine, you'll see a bright blue tube-shaped connector. Squeeze the tabs and separate the tips. Take some CRC QD Electronics Cleaner and spray both sides of the connection, using an old toothbrush to clean out any gunk, and let it dry. Then squeeze some dielectric tune up grease into the connection and push one side into the other. Dielectric grease is silicone based, so it repels water.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    Whoa.... BThayer23 you need to come by and use my pressure washer,bucket with simple green,cleaning brushes ,semi gloss black paint and about 2 hours of labor. :cornut:
     
  9. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    What he said. I just blasted everything out with with the hose and it quit doing bad things. Now I've got a new project when it warms up a bit. Thanks "B".
     
  10. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Good to know Ben. I'll store this one away in case I need it. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  11. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, Nitro, I was going to say something but was afraid of appearing to be impertinent.
     
  12. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    Hahaha, it's a track car! And if you think that picture's bad, you should see the front bumper and hood. Rock chips galore, rubber streaks, dull spots in the paint... I think the bumper is more white than blue. Your estimate of two hours might be a little low, but you're more than welcome to bring your brushes and paints and waxes and show me how far two hours of labor will go.
     
  13. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    Fortunately Ben's driving and mechanical skills are far greater than his washing skills.....lol
     
  14. KC Jr 54

    KC Jr 54 New Member

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    For what it is worth; a shop that is able to access the very most inner workings of the OBD port, can tell you exactly which sensor is messed up or not reading correctly. Can be a time saver for some people.
     
  15. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    And that's not saying much 'cause y'all have seen my washing skills. :D
     
  16. FranticFreddy

    FranticFreddy Drive-N-Eat
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    #16 FranticFreddy, Mar 1, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2011
    Thanks for the info. Got work to do.

    (Later that night).
    So far so good, found one connector hanging out of the holder. Greased it up with dielectric grease and snapped it back together.
    Took more time to take out the wheel well liner then to fix the problem.

    Went out for a ride and "no indicator lights".
     
  17. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    Glad to hear it, I know just how you feel now.:Thumbsup: I'm still gonna do the connector clean and grease treatment next time I've got the wells off.
     

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