Page 1 of 3

SI M12 01 15
Engine Electrical Systems

May 2016
Technical Service

Engine Misfire Due to Failed Ignition Coil

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M12 01 15 dated March 2016.
MODEL

R55 (Cooper
Clubman)

R56 (Cooper)

R57 (Cooper
Convertible)

R58 (Cooper
Coupe)

R59 (Cooper
Roadster)

R60 (Cooper
Countryman)

R61 (Cooper Paceman)

With the N16
engine

SITUATION
z

The Check Engine or Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on with misfire fault(s) stored in
the DME.

z

Intermittent performance or rough running without a relevant DME fault stored

The most likely cause is that an ignition coil has failed, which in many cases can be confirmed with
basic diagnosis.
CAUSE

During operation with high temperature fluctuations, the different materials used in the Bosch
ignition coil construction can deteriorate over time, leading to a failure.
CORRECTION

The current ISTA misfire test plan for these engines can be lengthy to complete, and does not
provide an effective method to diagnose a faulty secondary ignition component.
Begin basic diagnosis by reading the misfire counter in DME control unit functions. This
will likely indicate the faulty coil without the need to remove the spark plugs for inspection.
Follow the ignition coil replacement procedure listed below.
Since the remaining ignition coils have been subjected to the same operating conditions, it
will be necessary to follow the appropriate procedure listed below (specific to the engine variant),
to ensure the best customer-oriented repair.
z

For vehicles with the N16 engine which have been in service for over 24 months or 10,000
miles, during the first service visit due to an ignition coil failure, replace all Bosch ignition
coils with the replacement Eldor coils.

Note: Only if misfire faults or rough running are still present, continue with further
diagnosis as recommended in the misfire test plan.

https://www.minitis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/328...

6/6/2016

Page 2 of 3

PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number

Description

Quantity

12 13 8 657 273

Eldor coil (N16)

Up to 4

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the MINI New Passenger Car Limited Warranty or the MINI NEXT
Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty.
Defect Code:

12 13 00 12 00

Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

00 00 006

Refer to KSD2

Performing “vehicle test” (with vehicle
diagnosis system – checking faults)

Refer to KSD2

Connect an approved battery
charger/power supply (indicated in
KSD 2 as Charging battery)

Work time (WT)

Troubleshooting

And:
61 21 528
And, as necessary:
12 00 009

If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556
instead.
Even though work time labor operation code 12 00 009 ends in “009,” it is not considered a Main
labor operation.
Work time (WT) labor operation 12 00 009 requires an individual punch time and an
explanation on the repair order and in the claim comments.
And:
Replacing Coil(s) Only
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

12 13 511

Refer to KSD2

Replacing one ignition coil

Refer to KDS2

Replacing more than one ignition coil

Or:
12 13 512
Or:

https://www.minitis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/328...

6/6/2016

Page 3 of 3

Replacing Coil(s) with Checking and/or Replacing Spark Plug(s) when Necessary
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

12 12 521

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing/renewing all
spark plugs

Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances.
Other Repairs
If performing the additional ISTA diagnostics and related test plans results in other eligible and
covered work, claim this work with the applicable defect code and labor operations listed in KSD2.
[ Copyright ©2016 BMW of North America, Inc. ]

https://www.minitis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/328...

6/6/2016