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Seriously though, I hope this has been corrected by now for you folks.
Oh, that's just sick! (in the bad way).
__________________
MINIless for the immediate future. :(
Previously owned:
06 Justa Cooper Astro Black
03 MCS BRG and lotsa mods
06 MCSA HB and even more mods
I had this problem in the fall but it hasn't done this in a couple of months now. My observation was that it only happened when the ambient temperature was a lot hotter when I shut the car off, compared to when I started the car. I think the ECU stored the last idle setting at night when it was warm and in the morning when it was a lot colder it thought it could use the same fuel/air mixture and it stumbled. I haven't had the stumble now that it's cold all day long now.
i have an automatic 2006 MCSc and since i bought it with 5,000 miles in sept it had shut off on me while in traffic twice.. both on colder days.. i thought maybe the idle time was short or something.. i dont know- kind of weird
__________________ 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible "Chili Spice"
Chili Red, White Stripes, Black Top, DSG, Exterior Chrome Pack, Ipod Adapter, Cold Weather, CR Dash (pictures coming soon)
as a technician this has got to be the worst complaint from a customer because some are fix with the latest software and some are not. there is no consistency to the fix being done with the latest software.
This has become like a MINI flu. Alot of people on NEMINI.org have been complaining about this and well..there hasn't been one dealer yet to fix this issue. The problem mainly occurs after the car has been sitting for a long time and when you go to start it, it starts to choke up and stall. If you are having this issue please post about it. I'd like to take this thread and forward it to MINIUSA directly.
I originally thought it was just the 2005 models but my friend with a 2003 is now having the same issue aswell.
Also, can a moderator please sticky this if possible. Thank you!
I had this problem, and at first I blamed it on my CAI messing up the ECU. However, when I brought my car in for it's 30k mi. service in December, I told the service rep about it. (I think her name was Nicole.. @ Otto's MINI in West Chester, PA) She said that there was a software fix that was recently posted to the service centers for this problem. They upgraded my software and ever since, I haven't had the rough cold starts or rough idling at all.
I'm not exactly sure what part of the software they upgrade, but If you have the GIAC flash, you may lose it and have to get it redone.
__________________ Newest Mods:Ate slotted front rotors, Akebono front pads, stainless mesh lower grille. Kumho Ecsta AST Tires Next planned mods: Stainless braided brake lines, Exhaust and TD or OZ rims.
We live in NH. It has been VERY Cold here for the last few weeks. Our 2003 MC has Started every AM with no Hesitation at all. This has been the case since we got it. We do live in a Condo with a Covered Parking Area that is not entirely closed on the Sides,so the car is exposed to the Cold Wind & to some Snow/Rain. Not sure if this makes a difference. We have had no software updates .
they problem is the ethanol content in the fuel mini dealers are now able to test and verify the concern with the gas ans give u an acuate reading of what is the alcohol content in your fuel which is about 90% of the cold start problems as of current.. also they do now have a new fuel additave that protects your fuel senders and has the octane boost so that u can run the lower octane with the less ethanol content and still get the detergent values of 91= grade gas
Welllll.... I think I just got bit by this "flu." I went out at 3am to run to the store for a quick errand (yes, I keep weird hours) when my 2006 MCS "started funny." I got as far as a block until it stalled. And would not start again. It hesitated, sent the whole car shuddering, and that was that. It took until 4:30 am to get a tow truck and to get my Mini into a spot on the street, although I do want to commend BMW roadside assistance for their brilliant suggestion of towing my Mini to the nearest dealer and waiting with it for four hours alone until they open. (I also have to commend them on the way their call center folk stick to the script no matter how much you try to reason with them, really BMW, you have trained your performing monkeys well.)
The tow-truck man said this was a problem with Minis and "water." It wasn't raining at the time but had earlier in the night. He said it'd start fine in the morning once it'd had a chance to dry out. Meanwhile I hope my pleading note on my windshield spares me a ticket as this is street sweeping day, and I hope indeed the engine on my Mini does start in the morning. Things like this shouldn't happen to a vehicle with under 700 miles on it.
I had an appt at MINI in Minneapolis and they had to replace the crankcase sensor which was making it conk out, especially after rain or thru a carwash. I understand it to be one of 3 timing sensors the MINI uses to keep the time...just thought I'd give you guys a heads up!
I had an appt at MINI in Minneapolis and they had to replace the crankcase sensor which was making it conk out, especially after rain or thru a carwash. I understand it to be one of 3 timing sensors the MINI uses to keep the time...just thought I'd give you guys a heads up!
I had it again Sat. Went from 75F Friday to 50F and damp on Saturday - the car sat for 24 hours and didn't want to start. A local NAM'er who was there with me told me to turn the ignition on but don't start it, to allow the fuel pump to pressurize before starting. Perhaps this is the issue - there's not enough fuel ready after sitting and the ECU sends the car into the other loop for emissions control.
I'm going to start doing this as a normal habit....giving it a three count before turning over. We'll see if the problem comes back.
according to mini your fuel should not drop below 3bar after sitting overnight. which it will do anyways. tried it on several cars. this will help slightly the stalling/no start concern. but the issue will still be present.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGT
I had it again Sat. Went from 75F Friday to 50F and damp on Saturday - the car sat for 24 hours and didn't want to start. A local NAM'er who was there with me told me to turn the ignition on but don't start it, to allow the fuel pump to pressurize before starting. Perhaps this is the issue - there's not enough fuel ready after sitting and the ECU sends the car into the other loop for emissions control.
I'm going to start doing this as a normal habit....giving it a three count before turning over. We'll see if the problem comes back.
It's had "problem 2" (needs two attempts to start after sitting up overnight or during work). Once started, it drives fine..no stalling...no obvious stumble.
Yesterday I brought the car to the dealer and they confirmed that there is a problem, but have suggested it is hardware related. They said there was a fault code indicating low fuel pressure at start-up and they are going to fit a new fuel pressure regulator.
We'll see what happens, but I'm not holding my breath.
BTW, something I noticed that sort of points to the problem being software rather that hardware related. I drive home from work, park the MCS, about 5 hours later I have to move it down the driveway (cold start problem occurs as expected). Then next morning the MCS starts first time.
I have never had the car start first time in the 4 months I've own it, but if I do the "driveway shuffle" the previous night, the next morning it will start first time.
This is telling me it couldn't be a hardware issue?
I had this before, took it to the dealer for regular maintenance and it went away even though they said they didn't address it. It has been happening again for the past couple of months. It is daily, doesn't take longer than a work day to happen. I'm due for another maintenance so will see if it goes away again.
Your MCS has a lot of modifications (including the ECU ?). My MCS is bog standard. If we are both having the same problem (cold start), then it might be an outside cause such as the current petrol/gas formulas?
Actually, it could be hardware and would fit with what the dealer told you. I had that situation with my 190E Benz. It was bleed-down of the injector pump.
__________________ BlooMeeni - 2004 Mini Copper, Auto A/C, HK Stereo, Leather, 5sp.
Actually, it could be hardware and would fit with what the dealer told you. I had that situation with my 190E Benz. It was bleed-down of the injector pump.
That's what I'm a bit worried about.
First they'll try the $150 fuel pressure regulator, then the injectors and fuel rail, then the fuel pump. I can see this being a very expensive exercise.
I've read a lot of threads and posts about "problem 2" (needs two attempts to start car) and there doesn''t seem to be a definitive cure. Some say that a SW upgrade has helped, but I can't see any posts mentioning that hardware part X fixed the problem.
I suppose my lack of knowledge about the MINI fuel injection system doesn't help my understanding of the possible causes.
Sure, the fuel pressure may be low (under 3bar) when trying to strt the car, but surely the fuel pump starts running when the ignition is turned and so will very quickly build up the pressure again whilst the motor is being turned over by the starter.
Seeing as the supposed pressure loss occured over about 8 hours, it would seem unreasonable for the pump to build up the pressure in a couple of seconds ?? Or would it ??
Mine will stumble a little after I start it unless I turn the key to the ON position for 5 seconds, then start the car. My guess is the fuel pump starts and pressurizes the line. When I don't pause on the ON position, the engine starts but then is suddenly starved for fuel until the pressure builds. I have an 05 MCS.
HAVE AN '06 S CONVERTIBLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM COLD OR WARM WORSE IN WARM WEATHER 17800 MI. HAVE TAKEN ONCE TO UPDATE PROGRAM AT DEALER PROBLEM FIXED FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. ALSO CAR NOW STALL'S WHEN TAKING OFF SOMETIMES ONLY WHEN STILL COLD.
BlooMeeni - 2004 Mini Copper, Auto A/C, HK Stereo, Leather, 5sp.
