Hello,

I have acquired a '12 mini "S" that starts, runs a minute, or 3, then quits. Any suggestions? This car was in a flood, but everything else is working fine.

 

Does it just sputter out? Any fault codes? Is the idle rough? Is it surging?

 

Do you have a link for setting personal preferences in the computer on a 2008 Cooper S? The videos I have found for 2007-2013 don't work on mine.

 

My daughter has a 2011 Mini Cooper and it has three error codes: P0012 P00BC and a second P0012. The Vanos (sp) sensor was replaced and she says it runs better but after disconnecting the battery for an hour the codes are still there as is the Check Engine Light. Any suggestions?

 

You have to clear the codes by using a scan tool in the OBDII port. These codes will always be stored until cleared with a scan tool. Clear the codes and then see if they come back.

Make sure it's BMW/MINI specific like ours here - 2011 Mini Cooper Base Hatchback - Tools - Page 8

Or you'll need to go to a MINI indy shop and have them clear it for you if you don't want to buy a tool or have someone that has one.

 

We had the codes cleared by a professional shop and the two codes P0012 and the second P0012 came back on within a mile. All my research says that replacing the Vanos Sensor should have cured the issue but I assume there could be something else?

 

P0012 could have 3 different MINI FC codes associated so that's probably why you're getting it twice.

P0012 0x287D 'A' Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
P0012 0x287E 'A' Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
P0012 0x2D5A VANOS intake: Closed-loop control fault, camshaft sticks

A good BMW/MINI scan tool will tell you which particular P0012 codes are being thrown.

Is her 2011 MINI just a Cooper or Cooper S? The MINI R56 N12, N16 and N18 engines utilize two VANOS (variable camshaft timing) solenoids -- one for the intake camshaft (green arrow) and one for the exhaust camshaft (red arrow), mounted to the front of the cylinder head. Which sensor did you replace? Or did you replace both? Now, what symptoms does she have? Is it running rough at all or is all that she has a check engine light?

 

She has a 2011 Mini Cooper, I don't think it is an S but can check to make sure. I replaced the sensor on the back of the head only "green arrow" She says it runs great and gets good gas mileage but the check engine light is still on.

 

If replacing the VANOS did not fix the issue then it could be a timing issue and your timing is off. I'd bring it in to a local Indy shop and see what they have to say. You can use this site to help find one local to you Mini Cooper Repair Shops - Find a Mini Cooper Mechanic | MiniRepairShops.com.

 

Do you know where any instructions are for setting the timing??? 2008 clubman non S.