Good find LadyG, thank you.

 

I've had this problem. Had it 'fixed' and then had it come back immediately.
It appears that whatever mechanism is used to lock the transmission in Park when the engine shuts down acts in a 'sticky' way. That is, sometimes it locks AOK, and sometimes it doesn't lock immediiately, but does so after a while.

The symptoms I'm seeing are:
* Sometimes the transmission locks in park when the engine is shut down -- i.e., it works normally.
* Sometimes the warnings show up (Yellow gear symbol with an exclamation point in it). When this happens, the shift lever can be pulled out of Park (even though the engine is now OFF) and then pushed back into Park.
* AFAIK the warning system is ALWAYS right.
* After a while the lever locks in position. Sometimes this is a matter of seconds (i.e., if you hear the gong, curse quietly a few times, and then grab the stick, it may be locked already). Sometimes it takes several minutes.

 

so do you think i should bother snd bring it in, or just live with it?

How long it they keep your car?

What did they do, change any parts?

Thanks!

 

This is a safety issue. "Living with it" means setting the handbrake every time you stop the car, or risk having the car roll away.

My car was in the shop for 2 days -- and will be going in again. Whatever was done on the first pass didn't fix the problem.

As you know, this is an intermittant problem -- which is often the hardest kind to diagnose. I'm presently keeping a log of what happens at every shut-down.

 

thanks. what fix did they try that didn't work?

 

Add me to the darn list. Posted on that other thread as well. Yellow gear with ! warning light. For a second I couldn't get the key out but thankfully it did come out.

Taking it in on Friday, waiting for what they believe will just be a reprogrammable issue...if not, we'll see what happens next. Here's hoping for the quick fix!

 

I've had mine in once. The tech read the trouble code. and readjusted the shift cables (not even close). The problem recurred immediately and has been intermittant since then. Next time ...??

 

still in the shop, cannot duplicate problem and it doesn't show up on the chip?
even though I sent pictures of the fault light that came on, they can't order parts and fix it, until they can duplicate the problem???

 

You'd think maybe they could order the parts and just keep them on hand. That said, I do realize that unfortunately they have their rules that they must abide by.

Gag, thanks for posting - even though it's not good news.

Harold, I am very sorry to read this. I need you to refresh my brain and remind me how many times this has happened to you - the gear warning light?

 

at least 4 times.

 

Not good. Can you go to management? What do they suggest you do? I take it that your key has not gotten stuck yet? My key stuck briefly, but fortunately released... Had to park my car off on another street tonight due to Con Edison's never ending road work in front of our house..when I can finally move it, I'll double check but I believe I can move my gear shifter without needing to depress the brake pedal.

 

I dropped my MCa off a week ago for the amber gear light and a few other warranty issues. Fortunately the gear light came on while the car was at the dealer so they were able to start the diagnosis. So far this only seems to be a problem with non-S Minis with the automatic tranny. The shifter change seems to be the fix right now. My SA e-mailed me today and said that they tried adjusting the shifter cables per a previous service bulletin but that was a no go. Fortunately the dealer gave me a new BMW 328i to roll around in until my car is right. I. I like the Bimmer but miss my Mini. The gas mileage in the 328i sucks big time. Hopefully this will solve the problem.

 

So you think it's just with the automatics, Russ? Might be so with the Clubmans, though it seemed to me that there's been a mix of postings by both auto and manual on the other thread that LadyG gave a link to https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=142643 - of course the gear warning light means somewhat different things depending upon the transmission.

You're fortunate that the warning showed at the dealership...AND that you got a nice loaner. Please let us all know how things pan out and what the final diagnosis and fix turns out to be.

 

Con Ed. brings back memories of ny.

didn't use the key inserted, keep it in m pocket. funny thing is, when I drove into the dealership and shut off the motor, the light came on, I thought bingo! seems when they started it, it didn't come on?

not going to just leave it there past Friday though, if they can't duplicate it by then, I'll deal with Mini USA-

 

So, Harold, you're a former New Yorker who's fled south?

Ah, I see you have that comfort access option (think that's what it's called)...

Con Ed is still at it here...so I'll check the Clubman in the AM and do plan on driving it across Westchester County tomorrow.

 

I have another appointment next Friday for our MCS Clubman. This will be the second time it is in for the gear light. Now the Tire pressure light is going on as well. I've looked for something in my tires and all my pressure in my tires is holding well for the past four days. I check the psi each night and each one is exactly the same so I'm sure this just happens to be something to do with the gear light. The first time I took it in, they changed the gear select sensor and a tire pressure sensor that had gone bad. Not sure is that is due to installing aftermarket wheels or not, but the mechanic at the dealership said he's seen them go out with the OEM wheels. Like I mentioned in a previous post, the last time my gear light came on, so did all my other dummy lights except the tire monitor which actually happened to be bad. I'm getting very irritated about this issue. Now my dealership won't even have a loaner car for me this time. Last time we had another MINI but I"m SOL this time. So now I have to have my wife follow me to the dealership which is an hour away because they don't have a loaner for me. Sorry for the rant, but this whole thing is just getting old.

 

Last place we lived in NY was Pelham Manor, are you in Rye near Playland? Used to take my son there years ago.

Living in this banana republic they call florida-

 

Otra, what's this key thingy you mention.
Man, I love Comfort Access.

 

DragonWagon, you're such a wise guy!

Harold, yes, I do live in Rye....and, of course, I know Pelham Manor. Too bad DragonWagon's never been on Playland's Dragon Coaster.

Rob, I don't blame you for being frustrated, I would be too.

 

At first I thought my car had healed itself overnight - but not for long...sometimes it only showed up after I'd stopped...now it is there at both the start up and stop...

Meanwhile, my old MINI pal lurch70 got me to look at page 56 in the owners manual under VIEWING STORED CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES... After following the directions there, and pushing on the stalk's button multiple times I did find that my "control message" was stored...and as I held in the stalk button as the Gear icon showed...suddenly appeared the code CC 1D 348 (it was either a 1D or an ID)...so at least I know the error code is stored there for my trip tomorrow.

 

It happen on my Clubman too, I thought it a remainder to me that my key is in my pocket (keyless function). But because of NAM, I will bring my car in on Monday to check it, my dealer had no clue on what am I talking about

Will see

BTW, mine is Cooper S Clubman so I think all auto car is in effect.

 

Prost, I guess you've read the other thread here:https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...69#post2372269. Maybe a quick post over there to let them know, too.

Sorry for your realization - but better now than later.

 

The same thing is happening to me and mine is in for service for the third time with this issue. I have only had my car for three months and it has been in four times.

 

the SA called me last night, the part came in yesterday and the car is ready to be picked up. Was in the shop for 10 days! Prob worked on it for an hour?
If it comes on again, I will bring it in, and will make a fuss, and Lemon Law it if need be.

 

The important thing is that it's fixed...if it's the same thing that Russ had done (see the other thread), it sounds as though it would take more than an hour. Hoping for good news!