I have just purchased a 2006 Mini with the CVT transmission. We love the car but are having apparent transmission issues. the mini starts from a stop ok then @25 mph it seems to up shift past several gear ranges, the tach drops to around 100-1200 the car very slowly accelerates if not going up hill to about 45-50 then runs better. Also Fuse F4 in the engine compartment is blown and instantly blows if new fuse is installed. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Update 6PM I have cleaned leakage detector plugs and rechecked DTC codes. codes P1611 and P2401 still there. My code reader can erase codes but it does not clear these.
04/23/2013 update short found in CVT. removing the plug from CVT assembly stopped the short. also the gear selector light works normally with plug detached. However still throws code 1611 and made no difference in driving. Also found plug on fan underneath motor was not connected.

 

Have you tried running in sport mode -- see if it does the same thing

 

Fuse F4 15A Tank Leakage diagnosis pump. Do you have a check engine light on? I would check all the pins to see that is connected properly.

 

I have tried to switch from drive to right and change gears manually if that is what you mean. it does not change.

 

The sport mode never displays in the gear indicator only"EP" which I think is a failure code.

 

one thing to note is that a CVT doesnt have actual gears in the normal sense. so it should never "shift"

however i have heard of the CVTs on early MINIs being very hit or miss which is why our MCS has the stick.

 

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I have read the DTC codes. P1611 and P2401. I did check and clean the leak detector plug and connectors no change still throws the codes and runs the same. The F4 fuse in the engine compartment blows instantly if changed. The red and white wire on plug located in lower left side of fuse box in engine compartment is shorted to ground.

 

Can you bring the car back to the seller?
The fact you have a fuse that blows instantly...and a shorted wire sounds like this fix could get interesting....wiring and or computer/control modules....
Then add the typical CVT issues.........

 

I gotta say, I agree, bring it back to whomever you purchased or get it to your local shop ASAP. How long has it been doing this? if its a short you should have noticed something almost from day one.

 

I have found several plugs disconnected, one on the evap motor and also on the cooling fan for the steering. I cleaned connectors and plugged back in. Also have a blown fuse "F4" in engine compartment fuse box. found red /white wire had short. Traced to large connector on front of CVT disconnected this plug and short cleared. Replaced fuse and did not blow also Shift indicator now works normally. However still shifts the same. Do you have any suggestions?