Hello,

I need some help/opinions... My 2003 MINI-auto just shuts down on me for no apparent reason. It already happened 3 times (I’ve had this car over a year now) and happened today again 4th time The way is happens:

I am driving about 3-40 miles per hour and then the engine just peacefully shuts down and I roll to a complete stop. Re-starting the car solves this “glitch”, no signs of any problems, and it doesn’t happen again for a long period of time

I am wondering is the same thing happened to other people and what was the solution.

Thank you :smile:

 

Sounds like a computer problem to me.

 

Please provide the following info:

1)Current mileage
2) Vehicle build date (Locate manufacturer's sticker inside driver's side door jamb)


I suspect your vehicle was manufactured between September-October 2002 when the infamous CVT transmission oil recall took place. Many Cooper CVTs sustained damage because the factory used the wrong transmission oil and by the time MINI realized the problem, many cars had gone out the door and had been driven for several miles with the incorrect oil in the transmission. The remedy was to flush the factory oil and put the corretc lubricant at the dealer but in despite of doing this, the damage had already been done and many owners experienced frequent stalling, hesitation and erratic CVT operation.


Other causes could be your ECU's (Engine management computer) software that needs to be updated to Version #36 and/or a problem with the Engine Wiring Harness part that was a frequent and common complaint in some 2003 MINIs including Cooper CVTs.


Hope this helps. Oh and by the way, take it back to the dealer for proper diagnosis.

 

Did you modify your car? Read from some threads in the Infiniti G35 forum that some of their members had the intake modified, but due to the amount of air goes in to the engine increased when running in highway, so the computer just cannot handle it and quit, and similar situation like you had. Not sure if this may be a true reason, just let you know a similar situation with sort of answer. Good luck and bring it to your dealer immediately for a check up. BTW, did you bring in for few times for the same reason? Can it be a lemon?

 

It has nothing to do with air intakes or other mods. Basically this type of issues in the Cooper CVT always center around 3 problem areas:

1) Transmission with improper oil from factory (2003 Cooper CVT recall)
2) Need to update and re-adapt the ECU controlling software (Version 36 and higher)
3) Problems with the engine wiring harness.


Those 3 areas need to be attacked one by one before the car can be declared a "lemon".

 

Thanks guys! No, my car is bone stock. I will take a look at the manufacturing date.... And I think my CVT operates kinda weird, at some RPMs it vibrates and sounds louder than usual. I'll take a look. Thanks again! Oh and the milage is 18K.

 

Please check the build date. If it is between September-October 2002, suspect transmission damage due to bad fluid added at the factory. Keep your options open to lemon it if need be.

 

I picked up my new '05 last night. It died two hours later. with the same symptoms as yours but would never get going again. Engine runs fine and seems to go into drive or reverse fine, just get no response when you press on the gas. It revs up fine in neutral. It's on a truck headed back to the dealer today. Not off to a very good start...

 

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I suggest looking at the battery cables. Early build Minis were shipped with loose battery cables causing the cars to 'shut down' on the owners. Worth a look anyway.

Goodluck...

Jeff