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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!
Yep, my 2003 Cooper does this basically year round. Upon starting, it will idle ok and even go a short distance before the bogging down happens. For example, where I work there is a stop sign at the end of the row I park in. The car will start up fine, run fine to the stop sign, but when I stop, it will try to stall (and actually has 2 or 3 times). I have to blip the throttle. Then that solves it and it runs fine the rest of the time. On my routine service and on a recall service they tried upgrading the ECU software, and that actually fixed it each time for a few weeks, but then it would return.
Yep, my 2003 Cooper does this basically year round. Upon starting, it will idle ok and even go a short distance before the bogging down happens. For example, where I work there is a stop sign at the end of the row I park in. The car will start up fine, run fine to the stop sign, but when I stop, it will try to stall (and actually has 2 or 3 times). I have to blip the throttle. Then that solves it and it runs fine the rest of the time. On my routine service and on a recall service they tried upgrading the ECU software, and that actually fixed it each time for a few weeks, but then it would return.
Sounds like a fuel map problem to me. ECU software or "reflash" is a temporary upgrade b/c the ECU will end up overwritting the map anyways, especially if you reset the ecu. You will just end up having to keep returning your mini to the shop. A piggyback or standalone is the way to go. You wont have to worry about the ecu overwritting b/c with a piggyback it will allow the OEM ECU to control the fuel, timing, and/or boost to a certain rate followed by the aftermarket ECU taking over from that point on. Is there a piggyback or standalone in the aftermarket for mini's?
I have had the same problem with cold starting the Mini S, We use octane 95-98 her in the EU, and i noticed that the problem was occuring less if I went to fill up at Shell with their super-unleaded97 fuel in stead of Texaco with their super-unleaded98 the problems whent down like 50%
Last wednesday I installed my new Invidia catbacksys and it is totally gone now, the car even starts up much quicker, it used to take the startmotor 3-4 times turning, now it's 0.5-1 turns
I have a july 02 build "S" that I bought August 02. It has 25,000 miles and the problem did not crop up until after the car went in for its first full service in December 03. Doesn't happen everytime but it is unfortunate that the software "upgrade" seems to be a "downgrade" in the day to day driving world.
I have a 2003 MCS and this only happened to me after the recall ECU reflash v.39. Version 36 fixed my stumble and all was fine until the recall. Now I have my stumble back and the cold start problem which I never had originally. -Dan
I had posted that my MTH flash cured this for me - HOWEVER it just did it to me yesterday! The difference is - I had the AC on this time! When I have the AC off, it doesn't do it. But it actually stalled on me - TWICE yesterday during the first cold start. After the first time I let the fuel pump prime - no effect. It stalled again. The third time, I revved it up a few times and it idled normally. This was at the end of a tank of fuel, so nothing changed there. I had driven several days on this tank without problem. Bu the AC clutch loaded it down enough that it actually stalled - twice.
I'm glad someone posted. My mini was a courtesy car... I had the same problem at work.. from my parking space to the stop sign, fine. From the stop sign? RPM's dropped and i was scared it would stall, so i touched the gas once and let off and it was fine.
I took it into the dealership and they said they took it around, and it happened to them... they said they have to "upgrade the computer" to fix the problem, but i supposedly was up to date (it's a 10/03 build o4 that i bought in 3/05) and i'm still having this problem every couple days. Doesn't happen in the mornings, just in the evenings leaving work.
It's more annoying than anything. When i leave work, it looks like i can't drive manual :P
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After 3 long years, I'm back in a MINI! This time, an S!
I haven't experienced this yet, but a suggestion for all of you who have this problem frequently (kaelaria's post is what made me decide to comment):
Every time I go to turn off my car, I ensure that all possible electrical systems are turned off. I turn off the radio, I turn off the air, and of course the wipers and lights (like most people). I have always firmly believed it's better for the engine to have absolutely minimal running accessories when starting up, since that is the time the engine requires the most draw from the battery, to turn the engine over. I have done this on every car I drive.
Just an idea, it might not help, but as kaelaria mentioned, starting with the A/C on did seem to make things worse.
I was having starting issues the past 3 weeks. I reset the ECU via using the software method (ignition / milage-clock reset button). Search for ECU reset. It seemed to work this morning, but I can't tell for sure as it finally warmed up to 60deg's today!!!
I was having starting issues the past 3 weeks. I reset the ECU via using the software method (ignition / milage-clock reset button). Search for ECU reset. It seemed to work this morning, but I can't tell for sure as it finally warmed up to 60deg's today!!!
My 3 week old 05' MCS just started doing this at around 550-600 miles. I've tried a different brand gas just in case but yet no change. The car at start up after sitting for more than 2 hours will start to drop idle and almost stall, but i haven't had it full stall yet.
Ironically my 2002 SVT Focus used to do the same thing......
Both my 05 MCS and my co-workers 05 MCS have the stumble first thing in the morning. Mine has never died, but it stumbles, recovers, and is fine from that point on.
I have an appointment at the dealership to leave it overnight so their tech can experience it in the morning.
I too thought it might be the initial strain of the a/c kicking in (although it doesn't affect the car during restarts throughout the day) so I experimented by shutting the a/c off the night before. Sure enough, the following morning I STILL had the stumble.
Both our cars have the JCW packages, and from what I am told, the JCW ecu upgrades are on a different version number sequence. Doesn't matter--I still get the stumble.
I'll post to let you know what Hendrick MINI suggests after they check over my car...
Both my 05 MCS and my co-workers 05 MCS have the stumble first thing in the morning. Mine has never died, but it stumbles, recovers, and is fine from that point on.
I have an appointment at the dealership to leave it overnight so their tech can experience it in the morning.
I too thought it might be the initial strain of the a/c kicking in (although it doesn't affect the car during restarts throughout the day) so I experimented by shutting the a/c off the night before. Sure enough, the following morning I STILL had the stumble.
Both our cars have the JCW packages, and from what I am told, the JCW ecu upgrades are on a different version number sequence. Doesn't matter--I still get the stumble.
I'll post to let you know what Hendrick MINI suggests after they check over my car...
Tarzan, did you ever take yours in? What was the dealer response?
I had to reschedule my appointment. I'll post when they get a chance to flash me with this latest update to let everyone know how it goes...
Hendrick MINI updated my car's software to the new released patch, and I seem to be cured (2 days since the upgrade, and no rough idle after start either day). This was 100% failure rate prior to the update...
Mine is a JCW equipped car. The service advisor at Hendrick advised me that they just got the patch, but did not have any description of what exactly it changed or fixed. Otherwise, the car behaves flawlessly, and exactly as before--less the rpm dip at initial start-up.
My early production '05 MCS does this too ... but only sporadically. I recently changed where I buy gas and it "seems" to be happening less. Also, a BMW tech I know suggested trying a mid-level octane gas to cure it.
After several days without any cold start problems it did it again this morning as I was headed out for some serious motoring. While out motoring I stopped for about 15 - 20 minutes, when re-starting it turned over a few extra times before starting.
Ever since the v39 install my cold start and throttle response have gotten terrible.
I've tried the different gas route, changing stations and grades. So far no help.
Update on Brutus too...
I have not experienced the hard morning start for over a year now, maybe 2, don't remember.
A 4 second pause before starting has been the cure for our 02 MCS, be sure to give that method a try.
Good luck all
I have 1800 miles on mine and it just started to stumble in the morning. Same thing. Doesn't die just stumble.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
Both my 05 MCS and my co-workers 05 MCS have the stumble first thing in the morning. Mine has never died, but it stumbles, recovers, and is fine from that point on.
I have an appointment at the dealership to leave it overnight so their tech can experience it in the morning.
I too thought it might be the initial strain of the a/c kicking in (although it doesn't affect the car during restarts throughout the day) so I experimented by shutting the a/c off the night before. Sure enough, the following morning I STILL had the stumble.
Both our cars have the JCW packages, and from what I am told, the JCW ecu upgrades are on a different version number sequence. Doesn't matter--I still get the stumble.
I'll post to let you know what Hendrick MINI suggests after they check over my car...
I think I'm going to turn off my subscription to this thread, since (don't hit me) my '05 doesn't have the symptom and I don't want to jinx m'self...
But -
Can't you imagine the guys (& gals) with the '02s/'03s (and all that they had to endure with Stumbles & Yo-Yos and etc's) reading this thread and once again believing that there is justice in this world...?
Chicago will have perfect motoring weather this weekend - I'll be giving MCS Rides to visiting family from out of town.
-Dan
Hybrid Mode
