Mini dies while driving--strange but true tales
Created by: RKL
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Glad it got fixed!
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Fixed-- So, after all that, our mechanic found the solution. The car died on him while driving. He checked under the hood, after closing it the car started right away. He suspected that was a wiring issue and that's exactly what it was. The wiring into the ECM module at the engine was shoddy. Vibrations from driving would cause a disconnect and the engine would shut off. Fixed now. Haven't had any problems since. The whole gas cap thing was coincidence. Ha
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Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add that to the growing list of possibilities. It's quite an adventure, but I really love driving this car. Cheers, RKL
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- Yeah, the check engine light is on. I definitely need more specifics. It's just been odd that taking off the gas cap seems to relieve the problems for a day. Cheers, RKL
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Maybe a problem with the Leak Diagnosis Pump?
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There are no error codes stored in the computer memory or a check engine light showing? On every car sold after 2000 (and probably even earlier) major failures of the PCV system or the fuel evaporation circuit should trigger a error code and check engine light. It's part of the emission requirements in the U.S.A. and most other countries.
DLY
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Dan, thanks for the feedback. Maybe opening the tank interrupts that cycle in some way and that's why the car will start. I'll talk to our mechanic about it. Cheers, RKL
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I'm guessing your fuel tank is not venting properly: the pump draws fuel until the vacuum it is generating is too great for the pump to maintain injector pressure. The computer senses the pressure drop and shuts down the engine. Once many years ago (when AMC sold Renaults), I was behind a Renault owner who was complaining about his service charges despite warranty. Turns out his gas tank vent got plugged and the vacuum generated by the fuel pump had sucked the bottom up so he could only fill his tank less than half full. The procedure was to blow the tank back to shape with compressed air and clean the vent. Renault's warranty only covered labour if parts were replaced under warranty. My AMC Spirit on the other hand was covered literally bumper to bumper I was there for my 3rd set (Free!) of colour-coded wheel covers, which tended to get small cracks at the chrome centre insert. I waited until the Renault owner paid up and left.
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"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."
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Strange but True!!! Our 04 mini died on the road a while back. Diagnosed a bad fuel pump. Replaced that and filter. All fine. Drive it for a few days and it drives great BUT dies again while driving. Here's the weird part.
For some reason when we take off the gas cap, it will restart. Happened again today. Mechanic said we do have a small leak in an evap hose but it probably shouldn't cause it to die.
So, I take off the gas cap, wipe it out, wiggle around the gasket and it restarts right away. Has anyone heard these same strange tales? Someone suggested it could be a clogged PCV causing a pressure build which is relieved when I take off the gas cap.
cheers
RKL
For some reason when we take off the gas cap, it will restart. Happened again today. Mechanic said we do have a small leak in an evap hose but it probably shouldn't cause it to die.
So, I take off the gas cap, wipe it out, wiggle around the gasket and it restarts right away. Has anyone heard these same strange tales? Someone suggested it could be a clogged PCV causing a pressure build which is relieved when I take off the gas cap.
cheers
RKL