Kansas City MINI Enthusiasts

For you MINI mechanics out there, any ideas for things to check before taking my '03 Justa w/CVT to Baron for the following symptoms and DTC Codes?

1) Difficulty starting (used to start immediately but now takes several seconds to fire)

2) No A/C (clutch not engaging)

Codes:

P0445 Evaporative Emmission System Purge Control Valve Circuit Shortcircuit

P0031 HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1, Sensor 1)

P0037 HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1, Sensor 2)

P0646 A/C Clutch Relay Control Circuit Low

P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)

Any thoughts appreciated. George

Well, looks like an o2 sensor has failed on it's heat circuit - that means a new oxygen sensor....

It also looks like you're low on freon - that's why the A/C clutch won't engage - the low pressure safety has it locked out.

Cam sensor fault probably is why it's hard to start.

Let us know what they say, OK?

Thanks, MiniDave. Just replaced both O2 Sensors with OEM sensors a couple of months ago after going 200k+ miles on the original sensors.

Replacing camshaft position sensor requires removing engine mounting bolts to get to it according to Bentley manual.

Baron found a blown fuse in the under bonnet fuse box that cleared the O2 sensor codes but they think it still needs a new camshaft position sensor. They also think it will need a new a/c compressor. Very pleased that they diagnosed and cleared codes for no charge. Now I have decisions to make on which and how I will make repairs.

Summer's almost over.....

Cam sensor's not expensive is it? I know A/C compressor's are......

Cam sensor is $40 at online discount parts stores and could probably be replaced in the driveway. SES light is already back on for cam sensor fault. Hopefully, fuse is not blown again. Will check codes again tonight.

A/C is another issue altogether. $1,500 parts and labor at Baron.

I guess when you amortize those costs over the life of the car, it's not so bad......but it hurts to write that check!

Still, with new cars costing over $500/month, it doesn't take long to pay those expenses back, and then you have no car payment after you do.

Yup. Baron has a used 2012 Justa in Laguna Green (close to Silk Green) with automatic transmission with 40k miles for $15,000. A lot more than $1,500.

Mmmm, Laguna Green! What a great color! It was a shame that it disappeared from the option list so quickly.

Anyone remember the Laguna Green Cooper S loaner they had a couple years ago? I had it as a loaner a couple times -- man, I loved that car.

Looks like they sold the Laguna Green MINI since yesterday!

Follow up on the DTC Codes saga. Fuse blew again within one day of trip to Baron! Now had figure out what was blowing the 15 amp engine control fuse under the bonnet. Remember DTC codes indicated 5 different faults. Using a Bentley manual and many fuses and a full nights sleep and studying electrical diagrams, I was finally able to determine that (P0445 code) the vapor canister was causing the fuse to blow. Unbelievably, the Liberty, MO O'Reilly had a replacement in stock for $34. Replaced it and reset DTC codes and all is working again including the a/c! I guess I will have to return the cam position sensor that I ordered.

Ready for another 210k miles!

Wow! Who'd thought you could buy a part like that at O'Reily's? Well done, Hagar!

Right, Minidave. Who'd a thunk it? A/C is working like a champ today! And no more SES light! Knock on wood.

Made it another day! Maybe I really fixed it!

This was the culprit! http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0018

$35 is a whole lot cheaper than $1,500 or $15,000!

Agree! So, it's still running fine? Good job!

Yes, still running great!

Good job, George!

Well, I guess I am not as smart as I thought! Codes are back and the 15 amp fuse to the ECU keeps blowing again! Everything worked for a couple of weeks. I even drove to Salina, KS and back with no problem. Back to Baron, I suppose.

Check those codes again?

Same codes as before.

That A/C compressor and labor is expensive....I paid $900 to get mine fixed in June on my R50, granted I only have 51k miles on it
Hope you get it figured out soon!

A/C works great when fuse is not blown so I don't think that is the problem. I think there is an intermittent short circuit in the emissions wiring somewhere that is blowing the fuse. Maybe to the O2 sensors that were replaced a couple of months ago. Still trying to figure it out while I wait for my service appointment at Baron next week.