Car

Ask a Car Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Car question?

17 Auto Mechanics are Online Now

characters left:

Not a Car Question?

Question

I have a Mini Cooper, 1st registered in February 2003. 3 warning lights for the electronic stability program, the ABS system and the tire pressure monitor have been on simultaneously for some weeks. I brought the car into the garage from which I bought the car in Oct 2004, and which has maintained it since; on the basis of an hour’s diagnostic work I was told that there was “no power to the diagnostic head” and that there would need to be 3 hours of diagnostic work to ascertain the problem, even before a repair could be carried out. I was not happy As I had paid over $1300.00 in March 2009 to have replacement of rear brake pads, rotors and sensor; right rear brake caliper; and bleeding of braking system at time of service 1. Is there any likely explanation for these three warning lights that I might be able to resolve myself or in non-specialist garage? Thanks

Submitted: 17 days and 6 hours ago.

Category: Car

Value: $24

Status: CLOSED

Year: 2002
Make: BMW
Make (other): Mini
Model: Cooper
Engine: 1600

Already Tried:
took car to BMW garage in Ottawa for investigation as described in question was charged for an hour’s diagnostic work ($109.00 before tax, $123.17 after tax). I was called by the service department during the day and told that there was “no power to the diagnostic head” and that there would need to be 3 hours of diagnostic work to ascertain the problem, even before a repair could be carried out. Not happy as I have had a litany of problems with car. Wrote to BMW Canada - they will not do anything on goodwill basis

Posted by Jim 17 days and 5 hours ago.

Info Request

Have you had tires put on recently? When they did the brakes in march did they replace any of the wheel sensors?

17 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for getting back to me.

In March, they did the following: replacement of rear brake pads, rotors and sensor; right rear brake caliper; and bleeding of braking system; coolant flush; replacement of front lower ball joint

I had two rear tires replaced in May (I think - I'm at work now and would have to check on files at home to be sure). These were not run flats (I had stopped using run flats at the last time I replaced summer tyres, 3 years ago). The trio of warning lights appeared in mid-July. I have tried resetting the tire pressure monitor, and also switching off and on while coasting with steering wheel at mid point (both of which came up when I tried finding solutions on the internet)

I have just (Sunday, 1 November) swapped over to winter wheels and tires. Again, pushed the tire pressure monitor reset, whuich had no effect on the trio of warning lights.

Hope this helps

Julian

Posted by Jim 17 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

The tire presure monitor recieves a signal from the wheel sensors, which then controls all three lights. I would have a shop check the wheel sensors to make sure they are good. You could certainly have a power problem like they have told you. Hope this is helpful.

17 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Please could you clarify what they mean by a power problem. Does it mean a bad earth/grounding in the electrical system?

How much work is involved in checking the wheel sensors. They told me three hours. This seems outrageous given that there is somewhere to start! Could a non specialist garage do this work (sorry that you are in California and not Ottawa, or I would just take the car to you

Thanks again

Accepted Answer

When they told you no power to the diagnostic head, power meaning 12 volts. I would hope any brake shop would have the equipment to check the wheel sensors. No not much time at all to check them. That is way I recommand to have them checked before spending 3 hours in diagnostic fees that might not be necessary. We have seen this problem with the wheel sensors causing these lights to come on.

Accepts:
Expert:	Jim
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	11/4/2009

ASE Certified Technician

California smog licensed, ASE ceritied in L1, A6, A8 for over 30 years professionally

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.

Car

Have your own Car question?

Related Car Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Info Request

Have you had tires put on recently? When they did the brakes in march did they replace any of the wheel sensors?

Reply

Answer

The tire presure monitor recieves a signal from the wheel sensors, which then controls all three lights. I would have a shop check the wheel sensors to make sure they are good. You could certainly have a power problem like they have told you. Hope this is helpful.

Reply

Accepted Answer

Car

Have your own Car question?

Related Car Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Info Request

Have you had tires put on recently? When they did the brakes in march did they replace any of the wheel sensors?

Reply

Answer

The tire presure monitor recieves a signal from the wheel sensors, which then controls all three lights. I would have a shop check the wheel sensors to make sure they are good. You could certainly have a power problem like they have told you. Hope this is helpful.

Reply

Accepted Answer

Related Car Questions