Our MINI S has been having a intermitent idle problem. Sometimes the idle is very ubstable (600 rpm jump up/down). Other times it wants to stall but catches itself just in time. Lately it has been stalling, no idle at all. If I keep my foot in the gas it will run but as soon as I lift the engine dies. By the way there is no eml lamp on when the failure occurs.
We took the car into the Stealer. They scanned for fault codes and could fine none stored. Of course this day the MINI would not misbehave. They reset the ecu and told us no problem. Has anybody else had this issue? Was it resolved and what was the fix. Desperate minds wish to know because my wife does not feel safe in the car any more and will not drive it.
The dealer must know what's up and has seen this before. However they just like to play ignorant. I have heard the wiring harness may be at fault. but they do not want to replace it.

 

I live in Arizona and have been having a problems on and off with a unstable idle. When I had the car in the dealer for the 10K service I told them about it. The dealer said that no codes showed in the computer, and told me to bring it back if it does it again. The problem is it only happens once or twice a week, and I live 20 miles from the dealer. I think it happens more often when the temperature is high ( 105 -110 degrees not uncommon here ). It has happened with the a/c on or off. The idle drops to the point where I think it is going to stall. It has never actully stalled out. I rev the engine and that usually clears it.

 

azmini's, EXACTLY the problem i'm having. it started ever since they updated my computer software on the last service visit. that update sucks! haha

 

It seems to me that I never had this problem until after the 10k service. Does the dealer always load the latest software pakage on every service visit? I doubt it, because every time I ask them to do it they tell me they can't unless it relates to some current problem that I am having with the car.

 

Exactly the same thing as AZMINIs. At a stoplight or similar situation, idle drops below 1K rpm, sounds/feels like a stall is imminent, never stalls, but feels rough. I give it a little juice and it clears. What gives????

 

It's the stupid software update...

I've had my MINI S for 3 years now, never dealt with stumbling at idle or stalling or ANY nonsense like that until the dealer messed it all up with their shiety update.
I'm not stalling at all, but do get the rough idle after coming off the freeway and coming to a stop. Have to just wait until I hear what happens to people's cars with the next update these clowns come up with.

Gotta wait for the next update I guess.:impatient

 

sorry folks but the problem I am describing on our MINI S, 2003, is not what you are describing. Our car just sometimes will not idle. The idle drops like a rock and the engine quits running. Hold the throttle open a bit and it runs. This problem occurs when it feels like irratating us. The wife will no longer even drive the car. She does not feel safe. These MINIS have common problems and I'm sure someone has experienced what we have. Please keep the comments comming.

Joe

 

Joe,

Check the plug on the throttle body. Sometimes it will cause similar problems without throwing a code. The wiring harness would be my next suspect, followed by the intercooler boots.

The ECU updated software has been causing quite a few idle issues, and these little English cars as quirky as they are (that's why we love them, right?) all respond a bit differently. It could still be possible that yours is an issue with the latest update.

Hope that helps!
Randy

 

Randy,

Thankyou for your input. The harness has been checked and the connections at the throttle body also. I used a electrical contact enhancer chemical on the contacts myself. (It was developed during the first gulf war, has a NATO part number and everything. I use this almost daily in my line of work (boat repairs, Toys for the wealthy). The dealer did do the latest software update. Another trip to the dealer and they replaced the boost control valve (pop off valve?). They believe they cured what ailments it has.
So how can this valve cause our intermitent problem? Vacuum/pressure diaphram assembly-thats normally a pass/fail part.

Joe

 

The dealer is just throwing parts at it.They keep using the story that nothing shows up on the diagnostic codes, so they have no clue what to do. The engineers know what the problem is, but they don't want everybody and their uncle coming in to get the fix if they let it be known. Why do you think they keep coming up with new software packages? Because they know that there are problems with the current ones.

 

My 04 S has been doing this for some time now... it even did in front of my service advisor... Had it in for service last week,, once again, they can not find a problem... the car has also stalled a couple times ( once with, once with out A/C ). the car gave no error codes... at one time I was told it was an known issue, now it just they cant find problem guess I just have to wait and take it in on a roll back some day....

 

chances are that u guys all have the same problem and it is a software issue the by-pass valve that u had replaced could of have been sticking and that would cause a idle issue expessally on hard accell. there is no fix for this idle problem as of yet