On one of my older VWs (my '93 Passat, I think) I could do a few things with the key and buttons on the dash and the car would start reporting RPMs, instant gas mileage etc. right in the on board computer display or the electronic odometer.

Is there a similar set of key button presses that can be done in the mini2 for such diagnostics or are the OBD-II hardware scanners a requirement?

 

I found this on a web site. It works!



Test codes
went ahead and created a word document with this DIY and saved it too my computer. For ease of viewing I copied and pasted the DIY from the linked site on the above post:

Seeing as I mentioned this in another thread elsewhere on MINI2, here's a quick how-to on getting a bit more information from your MINI's computer.

The information displays in place of your milometer, so you DO NOT have to have the MINI OBC/Trip Computer option to see this.

A complete list of functions is below, this example is how to get into the menu number '7'.

1. With the key in the ignition, but in the off position, press and hold down the odometer reset button, while holding the button down, switch the key in the ignition to position 1.

2. The screen will say 'Test' and a number.

3. Scroll through, (pressing reset button) through to test 19 and wait a moment.

4. Wait and the message will say "log i-off" then "log i-on" and back to "log i-off" again. When "log i-off" appears, press again. You are now in the system. (Woooo)

5. You can (if you wish) start the ignition any time from now.

6. Scroll through to test 7.0 (or whichever from the list below) and wait a moment, after a pause you will enter the test 7.* range of information.

7. You can scroll through now (7.1,7.2,7.3 etc.) using the reset button.

8. You can exit each menu by pressing, holding for a few seconds, then releasing the reset button.

9. To leave the system scroll to 19 and leave it for a few moments.

Switching off the ignition also exits the system.

Test:

1.0 Chassis number

1.1 Kilometer count

1.2 Parts number

1.3 Coding-, Diagnostic- and Bus-index

1.4 Production Date (Calendar week/year)

1.5 Hard- and Software status

1.6 Injector status, Cylinder count, Engine factor.

2.0 Comb. system Test

3.0 Service interval counter

4.0 Actual fuel consumption in l/100km. eg.0154 = 15,4 liters/100kms.

4.1 Consumption in liters/100kms.

5.0 Distance consumption in l/100kms.

5.1 Actual rest distance with available fuel in Kms.

6.0 Actual amount of fuel in tank. eg. 123321 =12,3liters left 32,1 liters right

6.1 Total amount of fuel in tank.

6.2 Show value of Fuel gauge. 1= both senders OK, 2= sender failure, 3=ti signal implausible (no reading)

7.0 Actual coolant temp.

7.1 Actual outside temp.

7.2 Actual engine revs.

7.3 Actual speed

8.0 Hexadecimal readings of menu 7.0 to 7.3

9.0 Actual on board voltage (Battery)

10.0 Land codes

11.0 Unit codes

12.0 No function

13.0 Gong test

14.0 - 14.4 On board diagnostic codes. eg 000000 = no failures

15.0 - 18.0 No function

19.0 On/Off for Test menu.

20.0 Correction factor for Fuel consumption

Formula for correction:

Shown consumption x 1000 / user defined consumption

Push the trip reset button to begin the correction. Numbers count up from 0-9, when correct number shows push trip reset button.

20.1 Sets 10ths. for consumption factor

20.2 Sets 100ths. and 1000ths. for consumption factor

20.3 Saves the new consumption factor and shows new value

21.0 Software reset. (Same as disconnecting battery)

Notes:

I have not been able to get speed into MPH, if you can update me with how to do this (if it's possible), then feel free to do so.

Your MINI's computer may give more or less information than stated above.

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

SilverMiniS,


Once again in English please.

If I understand correctly, with nothing more than a key and my index finger, I can access the OBD II computer, reading it from the odo?

No need for a special tool nor code reading diagrams??

OK, how do I reboot the whole system, and clear all errors?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

It is in English



Yes, a key and with ANY of your fingers you can make this work.



No tools and special diagrams required. Please pm me your email address so I can send you a MINI specific code book.



To reboot you can use step 21 in the list I sent you but this will not clear all the codes. You need a OBDII tool for that. I use www.autotap.com for a OBDII scanner. To get error codes from the car you need to run step 14.0 - 14.4 On board diagnostic codes. eg 000000 = no failures.



What lights do you have on??

 

What about resetting the oil change sve milage

 

Also, any way to see which software version is installed?

Chris.

 

Popular wisdom says that even a MINI tech can't tell you which software version is loaded on it! At least the DME doesn't say.

 

Great info silver-mini-s. Thanks.

I scanned the post quickly and find it useful. I might have missed it, but I did not see OBDII code display anywere.

Thanks again,

 

PM your email address and Ill send you the codes.

 

I had a nail in tire, lost some air pressure, and the yellow light on the speedometer flashes all the time...my manual got ? misplaced? after cleaning out the car one day for a camping trip..can't find it...

don't know what the yellow flashing light means (but assume low tire pressure since it happened at the same time)...I don't mean the light under the emergency brake, this yellow light flashes ALL THE TIME on the speedometer, right side of the gauge..

My local dealer has trained me to AVOID them at all costs, since they take my car for a day and rarely do everything requested, and half the time I have to take it back in after they finish with it.....

So is this OBDII thing something that could turn off that light? Is that light telling me something OTHER than that I had LOW air pressure in one tire?

Thanks, Jenni

 

That yellow light is your low pressure tire warning. We had the same thing happen in ours and took it to the dealer right away. They pulled the screw and plugged it only after explaining that run flat tires cannot be driven at high speed after being plugged. I still do anyway.

 

I have had my flat tire indicator go on several times, with in 20 miles of changing tires. It is easy to reset.

With the car at a stop, but running, hold the reset button (under the emergency brake lever) until the flashing stops.

After you release the button the light will be on steadily. It will go out at the next restart, or after a few minutes of driving.

The last few times I changed the tires, I was careful to set the (road) pressures with in a pound of each other (left to right) and the light did not go on.

John.