So when i start my car, (this usually happens when its cold outside) I put it in reverse, my car dies and the EML light comes on.

This also happens when I go from reverse to drive. It hasent died when i did this, but it acts like its going to. It revs real low and the EML comes on.

I just give it a lot of gas to keep it from dieing and it works but i hate that it does it. What is the problem? I assume its a tranny problem.

 

I don't think it is a tranny problem. Could be anything from a bad battery to a problem with the wiring harness, etc.

Take it to an independent MINI mechanic if you are out of warranty and let a professional with the proper tools diagnose it.

 

Ok. I looked and the EML light is a electrical problem. But it just happens when im between gears.

 

What year is your car and is a regular automatic or CVT?

 

2004 and its an auto with the sport option (i think thats the cvt)

 

It really sounds more like an electrical problem in the tranny. I'm not sure how the MINI's "auto" trannys are, but it could be something like pinched wiring or a bad converter control solenoid. That's if it's electrical. It could also be something as simple as a vacuum leak on the engine, but since you're not throwing any engine codes, it's unlikely. I would take Clubman's advice and take it to an independent MINI or European auto shop and have them diagnose it. Be very wary of where you take it, and see if you can get references before going. Maybe see if someone from your MINI club can go with you also. keep us posted.

 

there is only one place in town and they randomly showed up to one of our meets and ran computer diagnostics on all our cars for free. They seem pretty legit. Ill see what he can do. However, it seems it only happens in cold weather so i might just wait since its starting to warm up down here.

 

CVT transmissions don't have torque converters.

It seems to me the only way to see what's going on is to retrieve the error code from the ECU and take it from there.

 

Yes, I know how a CVT works, however, she never really stated whether it was a CVT or traditional auto. I just through out some random possibilities I have seen in the past. But the EML light usually comes on with throttle related problems. So, I would definitely take the car to the guy she mentioned. Since she said he seemed legit, it's probably okay. Aggie, even if you want to wait, at least get the code fault so you know if it's something that might get worse later on.

 

R50 Cooper hardtops (2002-2006) and R52 Cooper Convertibles (2005-2008) were offered with either:

5-speed midland gears manual transmission (2002-2004)

5-speed Getrag manual (2005-2008 all R50 and R52)

ZF CVT automatic (2002-2008, R50 and R52 all models).

In the R53 1st generation cars, a true 6-speed AISIN torque converter automatic was only offered in the R53 MCS (hardtop and convertible) beginning with January 2005 and onwards production.

 

I'm a dude

 

Whoah, I totally thought you were someone else !! Sorry, that was my bad !! I guess I should lay off the JD before posting in here.

 

lol its cool. I laughed pretty hard

 

Mine will stumble just a bit when extremely cold shifting from reverse to drive. It is not enough to stall. I try to make sure the car is completely stopped and the idle is stable before shifting. I chalk it up to a CVT quirk. Maybe it is the pulleys and belt being a bit "sticky" when real cold. Never have an issue after warm-up.
I would not rev the engine in gear if it is at all possible. Its not like there is a torque converter to buffer the power. The power spikes are directly working on the steel belt in the tranny.
If you have not had the proper factory maintenance done on the trans then this might be a good time.
FD-I think there was a recent member with a black MINI with "aggie" in her member name but I could be wrong...

 

Sweet Steve. Thanks! That helps a lot. I appreciate it

 

Ouch! Reminds me of a time when I lived near Santa Monica Blvd.

 

Have you change the fluid in your CVT? I used to own a CVT 2002 MC and changed the transmission fluid every 25K miles as a precaution. Unfortunately CVTs have a bad tendency to premature failure, hence my quasi-obssesive approach of replacing the fluid so often.

 

I checked the transmission fluid recently and it was red as can be. So I figured it was fine.

 

I would get it replaced as precaution.

 

LOL !!!

 

I had a loaner cabrio a few years back with a CVT. It was very quirky, however I attributed to it being a "loaner" vehicle. Steve, you are probably right. I had recently talked to someone on here with Aggie in the screen name. My memory is so bad these days I can't remember anything anymore.