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I have found several threads on this, but all for the first generation cars with a real key. Can you reset the ECU on the 2009 and if so how? Nobody seems to think the "disconnect the battery" thing actually works.
Car is running a bit sluggish, throttle responce is not as sharp, trimmer or buzzing coming through the pedel when under load. Noe of this was there before. In the threads that are out there on the ECU reset, it sovled these very problems. For the 1st generation cars there is series of steps to do this.
I haven't seen anything definitive on this from any official sources, but I've heard from a number of folks that the ECU learns how you drive (not just the Mini's, but other makes as well). No idea what it learns or what it does different once it learns it, but maybe in the OP's case it picked up a bad habit and needs some sense knocked into it. Like a couple of teenagers that I know. That live in my house. They need their ECU's reset badly.
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Ed
His: Benny - '10 MCS, BRG/W, Sport Stripes, Sport & Anti-Frostbite pkgs, H-K sound, Bluetooth/iPod, Anthracite, English Oak, RMW tune. Hers: Jose - '10 MCCSa, PW/B, Sport Stripes, Cold Weather pkg, Bluetooth/iPod.
Somewhat related question....if you have the Stage 1 JCW kit, would you lose the tune if you do a reset. I would think not, but was wondering if someone more knowledgable on the subject could give their thoughts.
I haven't seen anything definitive on this from any official sources, but I've heard from a number of folks that the ECU learns how you drive (not just the Mini's, but other makes as well).
Wouldn't that info live in the key fob? Different drivers in the same household, different driving styles... Perhaps the key fob needs to be zeroed. Not sure whether removing the battery will accomplish that or not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce/Fl
Somewhat related question....if you have the Stage 1 JCW kit, would you lose the tune if you do a reset. I would think not, but was wondering if someone more knowledgable on the subject could give their thoughts.
I don't think so. From everything I've heard about ECU burning, it is firmware (not reliant on having power).
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Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
I have found several threads on this, but all for the first generation cars with a real key. Can you reset the ECU on the 2009 and if so how? Nobody seems to think the "disconnect the battery" thing actually works.
The ECU does adapt to your driving style. If you've been driving timidly it will default to those trends. Drive it like you stole it for a full day and see how it responds. This has always worked for me.
The ECU does adapt to your driving style. If you've been driving timidly it will default to those trends. Drive it like you stole it for a full day and see how it responds. This has always worked for me.
I guess it does keep adjusting all the time so that is worth a try.
Sorry for posting in a really old thread, but I was getting these weird U3FFF check engine lights, car was running very strange, and it had some weird WOT behaviour...
I disconnected the battery for an hour about two months ago. I haven't experienced any of these issues since then. The only CEL I get now is the P04xx exhaust light and that only occurred once.
Is this a strange coincidence or is it that the reset ECU is "learning" again? I used to get one or two of those U3FFF lights per drive. Not one in two months now.
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2008 PW/B MCSa - Delivered 08/16/2008
Installed: ALTA Front-Mount Intercooler, Defenders of Speed Air Intake, ALTA Hot Side Boost Tube, NM Engineering Cold Side Boost Tube, ALTA Full Turboback Exhaust
I haven't seen anything definitive on this from any official sources, but I've heard from a number of folks that the ECU learns how you drive (not just the Mini's, but other makes as well). No idea what it learns or what it does different once it learns it, but maybe in the OP's case it picked up a bad habit and needs some sense knocked into it. Like a couple of teenagers that I know. That live in my house. They need their ECU's reset badly.
Try using the other fob and see if there is a difference. I know that each fob can save several different pieces of data so try it and note the change in response (if any).
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2008 MCS:Red with black top and black viper stripes, Sunroof, Start/Stop feature, DSC, Multifunction Steering Wheel, Silver fluid panels, Fog lights, 17in rims, OBC, Ambient Lighting, Bi-xenons, Fog lights, Rally Lights, Sports Suspension, Rubber mats.Thinking about AC Schnitzer kit.
Try using the other fob and see if there is a difference. I know that each fob can save several different pieces of data so try it and note the change in response (if any).
The ECU (engine control unit) data is not saved in the key fob only setting for radio, wipers, turn signals and a few other operator controls.
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08MCCS, HC/HC/Blk, 6 SPD, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, Convenience, HiFi, HC L/C - Steering Wheel - Shift Knob-Boot, - E Brake Handle-Boot, English Oak - 17" Web Spoke (R98) Painted H/C, H/C Club Member #42.
I'd be curious how much long-term "learning" is actually going on in the ECU. True, the MINI ECU is an "adaptive" system, but that just means that it can adjust things like fuel mixture and timing based on the *current* conditions and inputs from things like the knock sensor and the O2 sensor. As such, there's no reason for it to "remember" anything older than a few minutes or hours.
Specifically, in the first-gen cars, the ECU stores short-term and long-term "fuel trims", which are adjustments to the base fuel map based on current conditions. The short-term trim adjusts itself almost instantly, and even the "long-term" trim adjusts itself in a matter of minutes. So no matter how the car has been driven in the past or what the conditions where, the ECU will re-train itself in a few minutes to provide the optimum settings for the current conditions.
One note - I have seen *automatic transmissions* that "learned" their driver's habits and made adjustments to the shift points accordingly, but that's a different animal.
One last thing - on the first-gen MINIs at least, disconnecting the battery didn't even reset the fuel trims.
Any new ECU reset tricks for the R56 cars in the 18 months since this last post?
No, you *need* to use BMW's tools. INPA, DIS or ISTA software (with a proper vehicle connection) is required to reset the adaptation values stored in the DME (motor module). Same goes for the auto tranny's module.
The adaptation values stored for both the motor and transmission are pretty extensive, meaning there quite a few things get adjusted by the computer.
__________________ 2008 Cooper Automatic, Sparkling Silver/Black Roof, Sport Package, Premium Package, front and rear fogs, anthracite headliner, brushed metal interior.
Mods: Retrofit factory Bluetooth USB $6ND, Retrofit IBOC HD Radio $644, Retrofit Factory Armrest $473, Reprogrammed comfort closing & always show digital speed & fogs on with HB & no seat belt reminder & many more, * PLX OBDII DM-200 OLED digital gauge in Alta pod
No, you *need* to use BMW's tools. INPA, DIS or ISTA software (with a proper vehicle connection) is required to reset the adaptation values stored in the DME (motor module). Same goes for the auto tranny's module.
I know that you spend a lot of time elbow-deep in the MINI's software and are very knowledgable, so I just want to confirm that I'm understanding your post correctly. Are you saying that simply disconnecting the battery won't reset the stored adaptation values? That's what I've always understood as well, but there are frequently members here reporting that disconnecting/reconnecting the battery does everything from fixing an engine stumble to curing their sciatica.
Also, you mentioned that there are quite a few engine adaptations stored in the ECU. Do you know if there are any that take longer than a few minutes to adjust to their new values when conditions change? In other words, if I bought a MINI that had been driven very differently than the manner in which I planned to drive it, do I really need to reset the ECU, or would it adapt to the new driving style over the course of a single long drive?
Are you saying that simply disconnecting the battery won't reset the stored adaptation values?
From what I understand, that is correct. Battery disconnect does not clear the adaptation values.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottRiqui
Do you know if there are any that take longer than a few minutes to adjust to their new values when conditions change? In other words, if I bought a MINI that had been driven very differently than the manner in which I planned to drive it, do I really need to reset the ECU, or would it adapt to the new driving style over the course of a single long drive?
Sorry, I really don't know how the values are set.
__________________ 2008 Cooper Automatic, Sparkling Silver/Black Roof, Sport Package, Premium Package, front and rear fogs, anthracite headliner, brushed metal interior.
Mods: Retrofit factory Bluetooth USB $6ND, Retrofit IBOC HD Radio $644, Retrofit Factory Armrest $473, Reprogrammed comfort closing & always show digital speed & fogs on with HB & no seat belt reminder & many more, * PLX OBDII DM-200 OLED digital gauge in Alta pod
Also, you mentioned that there are quite a few engine adaptations stored in the ECU. Do you know if there are any that take longer than a few minutes to adjust to their new values when conditions change? In other words, if I bought a MINI that had been driven very differently than the manner in which I planned to drive it, do I really need to reset the ECU, or would it adapt to the new driving style over the course of a single long drive?
2005, Automatic (previously owned) MINI Cooper, here. Have been using a new key for a few weeks, now. It is driven by a spirited husband, very high spirited grandson and myself.
Our driving styles vary. The new key is working properly, the car has remained in excellent running condition, since putting plugs-wires etc. etc. in, a year ago.
I'd also read here, that the ECU adjusts to different driving. So, between my grandson, who at first was very slow and overly hesitant when learning, then a husband who likes to point out the rapid acceleration and back again to my grandsons new methods to get the "real feel", there's my own leisurely, "All the time in the world", style of driving.
In the beginning, I'd have sleepless nights imagining the previous owners driving.
Not having any education in MINI electronics, I can only speak from my own experiences and after two years of varied drivers and who knows who or how, before I bought it, it is a consisted little gem and has no change of attitude as far as the transmission shift points or other related "learned" habits, from any previous drivers.
__________________ Kathy1946
2005 MINI Cooper ~Minikins~
08 MCS/ 6Spd Manual / LtB/ Sport Pkg/ 205 45 R17
Kathy1946
