Hey all, Hoping someone can point me into the direction of a solution.

I have a 2006 MCS, 111,000 miles - About 2 months ago I was doing a bit of spirited driving and the car was running fine, great in fact, until I slowed up and started driving like a normal human. It was then that the "Service Engine Soon" and "EML" lights both came on. At first I thought "Huh, car died. Battery or its connection?" until I tapped the throttle and noticed I still had power, but GREATLY reduced in both response and power.

After that initial malfunction, I went without incident for a few weeks so I hadn't really thought anything of it, until about 2 weeks ago.

I have a 25 mile commute to work, on average my MCS will do this exact same thing about 4 times to work as well as from work; SES, EML lights, engine power loss, almost as if its in "limp mode". This morning, it happened a total of 7 times within that 25 miles...

As I live about 1.5 hours from the nearest Mini dealer/reputable shop, I was hoping someone could shed some light on what is going on here so I can remedy the problem in my garage.

I have a slight hunch that possibly a clogged cat might be the culprit, as the SES light went off a couple times a few months back for an O2 sensor but hadn't thought much of it as it still ran fine(and financially strapped at the time). I can also feel the car has become more sluggish and the exhaust note has become increasingly muffled since.

So, Am I onto something with the cat or are there other options I should pursue as well/instead?

Thank you ahead of time for the help!!

 

I recently had these lights. It was the crank pulley coming apart.

 

Assuming you had read the codes, did it throw P1688 for that?

 

Yes it was P1688.

 

Checked the codes today and got "P1125". From what I can find on it, this points directly to the TPS.

Hoping it is just connection related. Will check/clean connections and update ASAP.

 

Wisco, what happened? Dealing with same thing right now..... thanks!

 

Mine is going in for surgery this week at tlxxtl's garage... eml happened after I noticed a burning smell, I found that when the A/C is running the belt did not move. I was thinking a bad air compressor clutch or ... but after reading here it maybe a bad pulley..

 

I smelt burning too as my pulley separated from the rubber.

 

Ended up being the Throttle body! Took a gamble and bought a used one off eBay for $75 shipped and haven't had problems since!

 

Wow, that's great. Did you install it, or have a mechanic do the honors?

I am still stuck with my car out on a road trip, so getting eBay part probably not time effective. Looks like a $350 VDO unit sourced by the mechanic.

Wish me luck!

 

Yes I installed the part myself! I'd say the total time for removal and reinstall was just under an hour, very simple install. That is a bummer but the silver lining being that you will have a brand new TB instead of possibly used junk!