Warning lights!

Warning lights!

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burns76

Original Poster:

304 posts

219 months

Thursday 22nd March 2007
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The brake pad warning light on my MCS came on last Thursday (shame MINI didn't mention that my pads may need changing in the near future when she went in for her service!) so I employed the services of my mate's boyfriend who is a mechanic, and he changed front brake pads and the sensor. He checked the rears, but says I'll get another 10k miles out of them yet. Anyway, he says he's not been able to switch off the warning light as it needs to be done on the computer at the dealership, so he has a friend who works there and he'll nip the car down there either tomorrow or early next week for that purpose.

Two issues: firstly, I've noticed a reduction in power since the light came on (seriously, it's like driving a 1400!) ~ is this some sort of safety mechanism that occurs when the sensor says things aren't as they should be, and which will revert back to normal when the light is reset at MINI, or might I have separate a problem which needs to be checked out?

And secondly, why can't you reset the warning light yourself? Since not everyone will take their car to a main dealer for servicing and repairs, would those people not fortunate enough to have a friend of a friend at the dealership have to drive around with the warning light on for eternity?

Blackspider, anyone, can you help?

Thanks for any advice.

blackspider

1,038 posts

210 months

Thursday 22nd March 2007
quotequote all
Evening.

The light is reset by turning the ignition to position 2-thats all the dash lights on but dont start.Wait for 60+ seconds and the light will go out.

Just to check-what symbol is it on the dash?

The reduction in power is likely to be unrelated unless on of the wheels is binding heavily or infact the light you see is not the pad warning light and the DSC warning light.

A common fault with power on the 'S' or the crankcase breather pipe that comes out of the rocker cover on the drivers side.Its a rubber pipe and it turns 90' left(right if your looking at it)and goes behind the intercooler.They go soft and implode when the engine revs are bought up.
This pipe can be bought seperately although it comes with the long grey pipe-I tend to replace the bend only as the grey part is plastic and would mean removal of the intercooler,inlet manifold etc.

burns76

Original Poster:

304 posts

219 months

Friday 23rd March 2007
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Hi Blackspider - thanks for the info - will give it a go although my mechanic friend said he's already tried. But will try again anyway - I might be lucky!

It's definitely the brake pad warning light that's on.

Will mention the other part to the mechanic - thanks.

blackspider

1,038 posts

210 months

Friday 23rd March 2007
quotequote all
If the light still doesnt go out make sure the front pad sensor is ok and also although the rear pads maybe ok there might be a build up of corrosion that has worn the sensor down-in that case,replace the sensor and clean the disc up.

burns76

Original Poster:

304 posts

219 months

Sunday 25th March 2007
quotequote all
blackspider said:
Evening.
A common fault with power on the 'S' or the crankcase breather pipe that comes out of the rocker cover on the drivers side.Its a rubber pipe and it turns 90' left(right if your looking at it)and goes behind the intercooler.They go soft and implode when the engine revs are bought up.
This pipe can be bought seperately although it comes with the long grey pipe-I tend to replace the bend only as the grey part is plastic and would mean removal of the intercooler,inlet manifold etc.


Hi again!

As an update on my loss of power issue, last night I think I had the imploding thing you mentioned! Was on call and on my way to a job, accelerating up the motorway sliproad, got to the top, joined the rest of the traffic, had a nasty sounding pop, followed by the engine light illuminating (I think I also had the EML light but can't recall as it all happened very fast), black smoke from the rear end, and loss of speed. Engine stayed running, and I managed to limp her onto the hard shoulder, although I was on an uphill stretch and she wouldn't have made it to the next junction. Got her towed home to be on the safe side, and the car doctor will be taking delivery of her tomorrow. The only light still on is the yellow engine light (as well as the bloody brake pad light!!!). So it sounds like the pipe issue you mentioned above.

Based on that, do you think I would be able to (very carefully) drive her to the garage tomorrow (about 25 miles away, as it's near work) or should I have her towed?

Am hoping she'll have fully recovered in time for the Mini convoy on Wednesday!

Many thanks.