I just got in my 2006 MC (13k miles, auto trans) backed out of the garage, put it in drive and started to go for coffee. The tach maxed out at 2k RPM and the speed never got over 10 mph and the service engine soon light came on.

I stopped the engine, re-started and the same thing happened again.

Anybody with an idea of what this might be?

J

 

Not sure, but it sounds like the car has gone into limp mode, which means it is protecting itself from harm. Possible issues; Low fuel in the tank, clogged air intake, mixed up computer.

Try this, turn the key to on, not start, then off again, do this 5 times, it may clear it.

Mark

 

I'd guess your AT died.

YD

 

Disclaimer: I don't actually own a mini - just a prospective buyer.

But, having said that, it does definitely sound like it went into limp mode. The computer severely retards timing and limits throttle to make sure you don't do serious damage to the engine. From what I've heard, the MC will go into limp mode quite easily. If you can get it there, go to an Advance Auto or Autozone where they will (whether they want to or not!) read your code and tell you what your computer's trying to say.

 

The same thing happened when I changed my Batt the other day. Try disconnect the battery for 20 min. This will give time for capacitors to drain then hook battery back up and see what happens. I did this and car runs perfect. Took it to the dealer and no codes were present and everything checked out fine. Hope this helps.

 

would love to get some feedback on things such as this, like what worked or didn't work. A follow-up post is always nice for those of us following a thread....

 

+ 1

Best guess is a dead CVT. I hope I'm wrong.

 

Based on some of the comments I've received about my MC....have you fed the hampsters recently?

 

Well,

By the time I received the first responses to my question, the tow truck had arrived and the MC is in the shop. Once I find out just what the problem was, I will post it here for those who were curious...

 

My car went into limp mode yesterday morning too! I have a 2006 MCa (17k miles) as well and everything that was described above, happened to me.

SES light glowed orange as my car refused to go beyond 12 mph. Called roadside assistance and had my car towed to MINI of San Francisco. I'm awaiting to hear the results. I'll post as soon as I hear word from the dealership.

 

Ok, so this is what i found out yesterday from the SF dealership doing all the repairs. Apparently, my car likes to play tricks on them by giving off false codes for random parts of the car. First, it said the O2 sensor was broken. But the mechanics couldn't find anything wrong with it. Then, it gave off a bunch of other random codes that sent them on a wild goose chase to other supposedly "failed" parts til they narrowed the cause of my problems.

As it turns out, the wires in my gearbox is shortcircuiting everything else! Too bad my car will be in the repair shop for another few days until the replacement parts arrive...

Have others experienced this particular problem w/ the AT gearbox yet?

 

PR,

I had the exact same thing happen to me yesterday. The car would not go past 2k rpms in any gear. I just picked up my car this afternoon and they said it was a faulty bypass valve to the supercharger.

Good luck w/ your car.

Rich

 

Original poster here and boy do I have a story for you guys...

My MC is now in the shop for the third time for this problem. I too was told a sensor caused the original problem but when I got the car back -- within days it did the same thing again -- max speed 10mph and 2K rpm. MC of Universal City the had the car for TWO weeks that time and told me they had called in "napa" -- some hi-tech service advisor back east.

They promised me this time they had fixed the problem (including reseating the engine and tranny!!!) and their service tech had driven it home for several days to test it (with my permission). When I got it back everything worked fine except the SD manual sifting mode so it is back in the shop right now. I am pleased with the dealer and I do believe they might be facing some unique problems with my car so I am patient.

They give me a free car each time so I am really not put out by all this and I have had the chance to drive new MINI's each time. In fact, I have noticed something interesting about the way the new MC's automatics shift gears vs. my 2006.

When I press the gas pedal leaving a dead stop for a normal acceleration to say 40mph, the rmp goes up to 2K and STAYS there. The gear shifts from 1st to 6th are seamless. This is much different from all the other cars I have ever owned and from the MC's I have been driving as rentals. If I press the gas harder (in my car) the rpm goes higher and the car responds faster. I also feel these new ones are quicker overall but I believe there are new engines in them vs. my 2006.

Is this normal behavior for the 2006 MC CVT?

Thanks

 

Gah. I haven't been here for months after my CVT transmission replacement. I was gonna post a thread, but luckily found this.

I'm having the same exact problems.. except, my service light isn't coming on or anything. This happened getting onto the freeway once too.. Anyone have any ideas what it is? I just replaced my transmission about 3-4 months ago for too much $$$. The only way to get everything working fine is if I put it into manual/sport mode..

 

new update:

i finally got my car back after 3 week at the dealership. according to their mechanics, they claimed my problem was something they've never seen before. for some odd reason, the wires in the gearbox short circuited everything it was attached to, thus giving off false codes. furthermore, the faulty wiring affected my entire transmission as well. in the end of things, SF mini had to replace my transmission. thank god it was covered under warranty, my car has less than 18k miles! and to make things more difficult, the "brain" in my car refused to recognize the new transmission when the mechanics installed it.

it's like installing a new hardware into a computer w/o drivers to allow the computer to recognize a new device.

FYI for owners in california: lemon states that the dealership must give you a new vehicle only if your car has been taken in for warranty repairs for the same exact problem 3 times within 1 year. - confirmed this fact w/ the SF dealership.

if i have to bring my car in again 2 more times (under warranty) before next feb 2009, and it's the same exact problem as stated above, i get a new car!

 

That sounds normal for a CVT. In fact, that's been one of the historical "barriers to acceptance" for CVTs. Some of the normal behavior for a CVT transmission is similar to how a conventional automatic behaves when it's about to fail (the engine revs quickly up without a corresponding increase in vehicle speed). Perfectly normal for a CVT, but a little disconcerting for anyone that's used to a conventional automatic with discrete gear ratios.

 

cvt... must... be.... avoided...