Engine Wiring Harness Service Campaign?

RHT3 Aug 26th, 2005 Link

I heard a similar chafing problem exists in the ‘03 cars. Car goes into “limp home” mode due to chafed wires making contact. Happened to my ‘03 S [6-speed] about 2 years ago, but not since. I was told that local dealer service department would do a reroute.

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RHT3 Aug 26th, 2005 Link

“reroute” of the offending chafed wire harness in the engine compartment.

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Matthew Aug 26th, 2005 Link

I brought my 05 MCSa in for service a month ago due to the SES light being stuck on and performance being sapped. There was a recall issued for the software and an update was performed. It had something to do with the O2 sensor and maybe running to rich. They didn’t mention anything about the harness but I’ll check my paperwork again.

I have to have my first service performed in a month or so and will definitely ask about it.

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drew Aug 26th, 2005 Link

i never had the ses light issue – or any other problem for that matter aside from the squealing belts which the good folks at mini of manhattan fixed for me (thanks aleks!). i did take the software update but was really surprised when the wiring harness update was mentioned as well. better to be safe than sorry…!

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joey jones Aug 26th, 2005 Link

sorry in advance for the stupid question- i assume the “a” after mcs stand for automatic?

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drew Aug 26th, 2005 Link

indeed the “a” does stand for automatic.

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chanton Aug 26th, 2005 Link

i’d just bought a 03 MCS and drove it up to south lake tahoe over the weekend. i noticed that as the day goes by the car seems to be very slugish on taking off. it was soo bad that crossing the intersection was gettingvery dangerous. it wouldn’t accelerate right away. didn’t know what to make of it. please help if anyone knows about this or have any similar situation.

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Kaan Aug 26th, 2005 Link

chanton, whats causing that could be the air-flow sensor that might get clogged up with dirt/dust over time. does your car do that hesitation at a certain rpm? does it keep on revving but acceleration seems to be gone after that point? these were the symptoms in my audi two years ago. when they changed the sensor back then it felt like +50hp to the car.

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scott Aug 27th, 2005 Link

I had the chaffed wiring harness problem in my ‘04 MCS but the dealer attributed it to my aftermarket cold air intake. That made for a costly fix! (luckily i got the CAI manufacturer to re-inburse me for the dealer fix.

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benzamg Aug 27th, 2005 Link

scott who is the manufacturer of your CAI?

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chows4us Aug 27th, 2005 Link

Actually yes a chafed wire but for the oil temp unit. Ticket said:

1567 Wire to Oil Temp sensor damaged. Found wire to oil temp sensor rubbed through on enginge block. Repaired wire and rerouted.

I can’t believe I’m the only one who has had this problem if they are all wired the same

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Todd Aug 27th, 2005 Link

Chanton, what you have is what we call “the stumble”. Plaques over half of all Mini’s, especially when hot. 4 or 5 versions of upgraded software have yet to fix it. Be careful pulling out in front of traffic.

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Mark Aug 27th, 2005 Link

Chanton

It could also be good old density altitude( altitude adjusted for temperature) biting you. Some one here may correct me but I do not believe the mini’s supercharger compensates for altitude. So like most engines will loose about 2% HP for each 1000 feet density altitude. On a hot summer day the density altitude at Lake Tahoe will exceed 9000 feet, so you may just be feeling the affects of missing 30 plus HP

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Jac Aug 29th, 2005 Link

Is the stumble also connected to the rough idle while the car sits in traffic? I’ve had this problem for over a year now……probably started after the software was upgraded from some previous version. The car seems to sound like it wants to stall but after about 5-10 sec. idle returns to normal.

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minicin Sep 12th, 2005 Link

Last week, my 2005 mcsa convertible did not start until the fourth try (3500 miles). When it finally started and was shifted into drive, it clunked hard. Then, the service engine light came on and we “limped” home from work. The dealership said that two main computer busses were not communicating and after two days in the shop, the car was ready to pick up (63 mile trip one way). After looking at all of the minis on the lot, I got in the car to start it and take my baby home. Guess what? Same deal! They ran a quick diagnostic and said two additional, unrelated faults were showing and we would have to wait for the computer guru to show up on Monday. Monday proved more problems as the diagnostic turned up more software problems. Fingers crossed that after one week at the dealership, the problems will be fixed by Wednesday. Anyone else?

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minimc Sep 13th, 2005 Link

Had my wiring harness replaced too recently during a service visit. Now I’ll have to go back over the paper work and have a better look.

Thanks for the heads up =>)

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chanton Sep 23rd, 2005 Link

thank you everyone for your input about my sluggish 03MCS, i took it to a mini dealership two weeks ago and they are still wating for their tech to get back about the problem. anyhoo, Kaan, the car does not hesitate at certain RPM and it doesn’t keep on revving after that point.

The car “stumble” at low and high elevation. it happen the other day while driving to fairfield, ca. after stoping for some refreshment. i had to start the car twice before it started and the idle was rough.

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Eugene Cox Oct 21st, 2005 Link

My new 2005 MCS Convertible has the supercharger belt/alternator squeal, but the dealer seems to be clueless has to how to address the issue. They had the car for 18 days (returning it once during that period claiming it was resolved by replacing the idler pulley, but the driver who returned it heard the squeal when he pulled into my driveway), finally returning it after replaceing the belt. Now, 1 week later, the squeal has returned. I love the car, but cannot stand the squeal… any advice to a frustrated owner over how to help the service team deal with this issue ?

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Linda Rizzo Oct 2nd, 2006 Link

My 2006 automatic mini cooper S has been in the shop 7 times because the check engine light keeps coming on. They just replaced the thermostat 2 weeks ago and yesterday the stupid check engine light went on again. It’s back at the shop. Lets Motor means trips back and forth to Towne Mini…not exactly what I expected. Also, gas mileage is 21 city 24 highway. I think I have a lemon so I am now checking into the lemon law.

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Kim Mar 4th, 2007 Link

HELP SES LIGHT MYSTERY. My 2005 Mini Cooper S’s SES light came on right before it’s 10,000 mile tune-up in December. The dealership said there was a leak in a hose. The SES came on again less than a month later (Jan. 07)…same leak. Now, the mini is in the shop again (Feb.07).It’s still there 2 full weeks later. The mechanics just keep trying things: O2 sensor, replaced fuel injectors, brake booster, low fuel pressure-change fuel filter and fuel pump, trying new catalic convertor. What’s the deal? It seemed to run fine. I love driving this car and want it back IF it will stay out of the shop. Is this a strange unique problem, lemon, or par for course.

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Kevin Aug 30th, 2008 Link

I took my 2004 MCS to the shop to have a a 15% pully valve covers and breaklines put installed. Sense then my SES light is always on. I have been told that the wire harness is comprimised they say by rats but i left the shop and it came on and it was not on before. there is some bare wires and the oxigne senser reads low voltage when they hooked it up. I talked to the shop owner nothing came up about a chaffing recall or known problem. They are talking about replaceing the harness. Any input.

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Ricardo Oct 1st, 2008 Link

@ Kevin. Stop murdering the English language and re-read/use a spell-checker before posting ;)

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