2004 Mini Cooper Base model with GPS and Auto Climate Control

I made the mistake of putting my climate control in calibrate mode, specifically level 2. It gave me a FF01 code and stuck in CA mode. I found a fix to get it out of CA mode!

First of all, the solar load sensor was not bad as stated by the code FF01. I had an FF12 in mode 1 too. The issue was my servo for my blend door was not fully moving and should have given me a different code. There are 3 things that seem to keep it stuck in CA mode:

1. Solar Load Sensor
2. Actuator 1 behind the climate control
3. Actuator 2 higher up in the dash to the left (US version) of the glove compartment.

If you are stuck in CA mode and have 4.1-4.5 volts on the solar load sensor (meaning it's good and within tolerance). Then do the following.

For actuator 1, remove the switch panel, the climate control and the radio. (YouTube has plenty of videos on this) the first actuator has 3 screws holding to the gear on the blend door, remove it and make sure it is free of obstruction. Plug back in the climate control and turn the ignition to on (not start). Let the CA do its job and see if it goes to CC, meaning calibration complete. Your servos/stepper should go full one way and full the other way during this operation, if you have the gear sitting on something and not free and clear, it will give you a code. If you get the CC then turn the car of and NEVER put that MF'r back in calibrate. Make sure your blend door is fully in the correct position before reinstalling the servo.

Same for actuator 2, but leave 1 off as well if it is still stuck in CA mode after checking with just 1. If neither work, then the sensor may have another issue, or you have a deeper issue in the control itself.

Yes you will have to take some of your lower dash apart, it's less than 2 hours for the full operation and that is doing it slow watching videos, make sure you label and separate your screws. Really, it's stupid easy to do.

Phillips screw driver
T-20 screw driver
Medium and small Flathead screw driver
Trim tool

Warnings:

The plug for the climate control ( the blue one ) is a pain in the *** to get out, do not use a screw driver, just carefully and with strength pull off slowly. The fan temp sensor is the long round sensor and just pulls out, clean it while you have it out. The radio antenna barely has any room and you might break the plastic holder for it, be prepared. The switch panel has a flip down for the plug, don't just try and pull it off without moving the flip lock. Everything else is straight forward.