Oem General Information - Overview: Other MINI Cooper I

Steps to Verify the Complaint

1. Before getting in the vehicle, review the R.O., confirm this is the correct vehicle.
2. Is any additional information needed about the complaint? Certain questions to the customer can help narrow this step.
3. Is the problem intermittent? What are the conditions (roads, temp., speed, etc.)? What is the frequency of the occurrence?
4. Test drive if driveability related or the conditions require, duplicate conditions as stated by customer.
5. Was the complaint reproduced?
6. Is knowledge of system or vehicle sufficient?
7. Review reference training material and owner's handbook for a description of feature operation.
8. Research complaint in SIB's
9. Research past repair history on vehicle.

Analyze the Problem

After verification of the complaint, analyze the problem. Use all resource available to aid in system diagnostics

1. Vehicle Fault Memory
2. ETM, Repair Manual, SIB
3. Vehicle Repair History
4. Training Handouts
5. Round Table Information
6. Hotline
7. Known Good Vehicle

Analyzing the problem allows for the development of a repair plan.

Steps in Analyzing the Problem

1. Perform a Short Test.
2. Does an SIB pertain to this vehicle?
3. Refer to the for additional system information.
4. Is a test plan available for this system?
5. Use fault symptom selection.
6. Perform Diagnosis Request.

Isolate the Problem

To isolate the problem is " to place apart from others".

The object here is to zoom in on the problem area. It is easy to be overwhelmed by a problem, just reaching for an ETM can add to the confusion. The DISplus provides automatic tests in test modules to aid in the determination of the exact area or cause of the problem.

The elimination of components from the diagnostic trail, shortens the path. The first question asked should be

1. Is the problem Hydraulic, Mechanical or Electrical?

Save time by NOT testing components that could not create the problem.

Steps in Isolating the Problem

1. Use Test Modules.
2. Perform electrical tests with the DISplus Measurement System or a DVOM.
3. Consult fault charts in Repair or Diagnostic Procedures Manuals.
4. Control Module Self Diagnosis.
5. Use appropriate special tools (e.g. battery draw tester, tank leakage adapters, breakout boxes, etc.).
6. Substitute a known good part.

Workshop Hint

If a TEST PLAN is not available

1. Think about the system in its entirety.
2. Be sure the normal operation is understood.
3. Develop a PLAN.
4. Use all available resources.
5. Don't try to diagnose the entire system at once, break it into manageable chunks.
6. Check the easy things first. It would waste time to install the breakout boxes to find a bad bulb.

If a TEST PLAN is available

1. Do not skip steps.
2. Never assume results without doing a step.
3. Recheck your work.

Repair the Problem

Repair the problem using approved repair techniques and parts. Having verified, isolated and analyzed the problem the last step is to repair or replace the component. Before installing that shiny new part, take one last step back from the vehicle to ask a final set of questions.

1. Could another component have caused this part to fail?
2. Were all the instructions in the Test Plan or Diagnostic Procedures followed?
3. Is there anything that might have been overlooked?

Confident that the proper diagnosis has been made, complete the repairs.

Steps to Repairing the Problem

1. Follow the instructions in the repair manual.
2. Refer to Construction Groups in the microfiche if necessary.
3. Follow specific guidelines for wire harness repair or replacement.
4. Make proper adjustments after installing the part.
5. Perform Coding or Programming if required.
6. Make sure another problem is not created in performing this repair.

Verify the Repair

Always recheck for the complaint under the same conditions used to verify. The object is to prove the problem does not resurface.

1. Clear the fault codes.
2. Test drive the car.
3. Check for re-occurring fault codes.
4. Clear adaptations if necessary.
5. Recheck the part installation for missing bolts or tie wraps.

Workshop Hints

1. Follow repair or replacement procedures as detailed in TIS.
2. Use only genuine MINI parts.

The I.P.O. Principle

Control modules receive information from sensors advising them of certain operating conditions. This information is identified as Input to the control modules. The Input continually informs the control modules of conditions that may be changing.

The control module then process the Input information comparing it to programmed responses or commands based on every possible operating condition. The control module decides based on the programming and the Input conditions which output signal to operate.

The control module, based on the processing that has occurred, then sends a signal to a component changing the status of that component. The components respond to the output signal of the control module.

This is known as the I.P.O. Principle.

Scheme 5

Any device controlled by a processor requires input to the alert the operating program of a condition. The program processes the input information and logically activates an output of a component.

All MINI control systems are explained by the IPO principle. It is the key to understanding all MINI control system technologies.