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Randy Webb suggested that I get the ECU flashed by the dealer to fix the stall problem. I brought my 2003 MCS into the dealer last week. $75 later the problem is gone. It has started on the first try ever since.
My mini and my boyfriend's mini have the same problem.
But it hasn't happened lately.
I think it happens when its been sitting for a while and its been cold.
It's me again...So I had to drive my boyfriend's mini this morning and it started having this problem but it had been sitting overnight I drove it last night!! and its obviously not cold!!
Update. If I turn on the ignition, but do not turn to start, and leave it there for a couple of seconds... you can hear the fuel pump prime... no more stumble... I used to do this in my prelude too, helped when i was low in the tank.
... iits not related, but, good idea is to never let your tank go below 1/2 full, helps to avoid rusting of the inner tank surface...
Same experience here as others have stated. After sitting long enough to cool off, my '05 MCS starts fine then stumbles for about 3-5 seconds, then smooths out and all's well. I just never think of it when I'm at the dealer for service. So just re-flashing the ECU will fix it?
Last edited by CIGARGUY; 09-20-2006 at 06:50 PM.
Reason: wrong part listed
I have a 2003 Mini and I just noticed that when I start it it stalls and then the 2nd time it stays running,only had the car 3 weeks so I didnt know it happened to alot of Mini's
Had the problem with my '02 MC and started having issues with '05 MCSa. Got tired of hearing that they are working on a fix. No s/ware update fixed the problem for me..... This was just one of many problems with the '02 and one of a couple of issues with the '05 that just got too old
Second Mini is gone and my '07 Mazda CX-7 has no issues (knock on wood). it is a shame that Mini can't get it all together (IMHO)...
Hey guys!! Seen your post on this problem. We here at the dealership have been using the newest software and seems to have helped a bit. But until companies start using better gas quality during the summer time the problem will go on.
I have been having this problem off and on with my 03 since the day i got it almost three years ago, yesterday though it got so bad the EML & DSC light kept coming on, i had to keep "rebooting" the car to be able to drive. I left it at the dealer, yesterday because its undriveable!! Maybe in this case its more than just the software. I've also had at least three throttle body replacements. I'll post what they do to my car when i get it back...
MINIUSA has been aware of this problem for quite some time. There are identical threads long running on the MINIUSA board.
Unfortunately - this is why my second Mini is gone
I have been told over and over that Mini USA is interested in my issues and they will get back with me! Hasn't happened yet and its been promised at least 4-5 times during my Mini ownership.....
I enjoyed driving my Mini, but they are not committed to making things right (IMHO). I will still enjoy my '79 RHD Austin Mini 1000 as my Mini fix. However in my book the worst thing to happen to Mini's was the customer commitment of BMW!
My 04 MCS had the common problem of starting then dying and then starting up for real...
The weather has turned colder in the am and now the past few days it just starts right up...1st try!
This is my first year with it (bought it in July and it was reflashed just before I got it for the emissions thing, so I have no reference. I also aways turn the key for a few seconds before starting, but it made no difference this summer when i got the Mini. Now it is about 10-15 degrees colder and she just starts normally (am temps were about 65 in the am....now about 45-50....
Possessed or more than likely, the computer now knows to put it into Cold start (choke) mode? And our winterized fuel does not begin for another 2 weeks or so.
Haah! MINI still at dealer, they need to keep it until at least monday. SA said they need to talk to MINI engineer and see if they should replace the engine wiring harness...of course they did that like two years ago... so I doubt that is the problem...
Got my car back from the dealer last nite for my 10k oil change. They claim since they can't replicate the problem when they had it.. they couldnt do anything.
My car stalls EVERY time i start it. And I sometimes stall at in neutral at stop signs. So there is definitely a problem.
Dealer says I have the latest software so that isnt the fix. My car is a 12/06 S with JCW injectors.
I have the same problem.
I had a cold start issue where it wouldn't start the first time. I took it to the dealer, they said an ECU reflash would fix it. Now, it barely starts the 1st time, and sometimes I get a complete lack of power for a few seconds before full power comes around.
Get in car, turn key to start, but dont crank the engine. Wait for "ding ding" chime sound of "key inserted", turn key and start car.
Its a fuel pump issue im betting. No fuel (or weak fuel) is being delieverd to the car at start up. By waiting for the chime, you are giving time for the fuel pump to engage.
This works for me, everytime. Otherwise, it stalls out everytime.
Get in car, turn key to start, but dont crank the engine. Wait for "ding ding" chime sound of "key inserted", turn key and start car.
Its a fuel pump issue im betting. No fuel (or weak fuel) is being delieverd to the car at start up. By waiting for the chime, you are giving time for the fuel pump to engage.
This works for me, everytime. Otherwise, it stalls out everytime.
Although I'm sure the problem isn't the same for all cars, I bet the problem stems from the fuel being used. BMW tsb's call for "Top Tier Detergent" gas, which is only available from certified gas distributors and, in many parts of the US is not even available. As the tsb link below states, BMW "recommends" that if you can't get top tier fuel, you should use their new fuel system cleaner. The cleaner cost $12 per bottle, is not covered under warranty, and should be used once every 3000 miles. Of course, using it in two consecutive tanks would be beneficial at first. This all makes me so pissed!
BTW, my dealer won't ship the fuel cleaner b/c it is classified as hazardous. I would have to drive there (60 miles) to pick it up. So I called the BMW dealer in town. They don't carry it but will do a special order, which requires that you buy a case of 6 bottles. Apparently they prefer a different brand of fuel system cleaner.
So....I called BMW NA. My complaints are simple:
1) If BMW knows that we should use top tier fuel or a fuel system cleaner, why wasn't this communicated to me? Shouldn't this have been included in / added to the owner's manual?
2) Why didn't the dealer inform me about this when I told them about my cold start and misfire problems and asked if it could have anything to do with the fuel quality? I was simply told to bring the car for service, service that they know will not be covered under warranty if it does relate to fuel quality issues?
__________________ Jay
2005 MCS - LSD, M7 16%, JCW CAI, JCW 380's, Milltek, RMW tune, RSpeed 22mm, etc. = 195.9 hp + 184.5 ft lbs @ the wheels
I had the same stalling issue begin about a week ago after a fill-up at Marathon. Every morning after, the MINI would stall right after firing up. I went to Sunoco and filled up with their 94 octane and the problem has gone away. Go figure.
Get in car, turn key to start, but dont crank the engine. Wait for "ding ding" chime sound of "key inserted", turn key and start car.
Its a fuel pump issue im betting. No fuel (or weak fuel) is being delieverd to the car at start up. By waiting for the chime, you are giving time for the fuel pump to engage.
This works for me, everytime. Otherwise, it stalls out everytime.
Nope, tried that and it didn't work. Also, I tried holding the starter a little longer and it made it even worst. The car shook violently and sounded like the engine was going to fall out.
My car has been stalling for a few months now. I have just gotten used to having to start it twice in the AM. I use Shell 93 octane gas for just about every tank. THe funny thing is that the other day, my wife and I had somewhere to go after work so I dropped my car at her building and them we rode in together the next morning. My car sat for about the same amount of time and at the same temperature as ever other day recently (it was not the coldest day of the year) and it started right up on the first try! The next morning at home, back to the same old thing. When it happend last year, the waiting to start thign seemed to help, but not now.
