Hi guys, I know that this has been hashed out before but...Does anyone else have the cold weather start problem? My PW/BLK, CVT (built 8/02) will chug and try to stall (sometimes it does stall) when it is cold. It only does it when it is like 20 degress or below (which in Buffalo, is all the time!! :smile: and she has been parked outside (ie at work all day). I talked to my dealer and they suggested that I try using 89 octane instead of premium and it should help...well the other day, at a stop light,in traffic, she stalled and did not want to start up again. It cranked for a few seconds, started, stalled, I cranked it over again, nothing, tried again and she started. I immediately called them, I tried to be nice, and got an appointment for Wed. but I was wondering if anyone else had taken theirs in for this and did the fix work? Thanks for any help in advance.

Sue

 

Hey,
I used to, but when I did it was way before my dealer carried it. When I took my mini in I had to have my dealer send the components to the factory, and have it fixed and sent back. It only took me about three days to get it, but now that the dealer carries it they can probably fix it in a matter of hours. good luck, and keep on motering.

 

Sue, I do know that premium fuel is harder to "fire up" in the cold than regular or lower test fuel, but your problem sounds like your idle or mixture is being set wrong by the computer. And the CVT magnifies the driveability issue.

Keep us posted on how you make out. Good luck!


jabrams, I have read your post a couple of times, and still don't understand: What "components" were sent back to the factory? What did the dealer fix in "three days" that should have taken "a couple of hours". Thanks

 

i had the cold start problem until i got my cvt's dme updated.
you should make an appointment, this will cure it!

 

I have a manual, but have the exact same problem - I've stalled out twice with still under 1000 miles on my girl. The dealer made an adjustment to it which seemed to help for a while, but it is doing it again now.

 

You have all the classic symptoms of the "Cold Start" issue that plagued the Cooper S many months ago. The problem is strictly software related (Has nothing to do with fuel octane, so don't let the dealer BS you) and all you have to do is to call up your service advisor and have him set you up for an appt to have your DME (Engine Computer Module) updated with the latest version of the software update fix.

The "Cold Start" issue in the MCS was solved back in Early October 2002 when MINI released software update CD #31. For some reason it seems that your car (8/02 built) never received this software update for some odd reason. At any rate, any software update version #31 or later will completely cure your problems.

If your dealer continues to give you a hard time and play the "Change your gas octane" bull crap, then call MINI at 1-866-ASK-MINI and ask to talk directly with either Jenn or Amanda. MINIUSA in turn will call up your dealer to give them a friendly "remainder" about the software update fix to cure the hard start and near stalling problems in the Cooper S.

Trust me, your problems are purely software related. I have a '02 Cooper CVT (also 8/02 built) with similar issues to yours and as soon as I got the latest CD DME update earlier this week, they all went away and now I have a brand new car again!

So call MINIUSA and have them give you all the details. Also I recommend you paying a visit to http://www.MINI2.com and perform a search there on topics with the keyword "Cold start" and you'll see a welth of information surrounding this now old and cured problem.

Just for your information, the latest DME CD software update available at dealers is version 32.1.

Good luck and let us know.

 

>>Hi guys, I know that this has been hashed out before but...Does anyone else have the cold weather start problem? My PW/BLK, CVT (built 8/02) will chug and try to stall (sometimes it does stall) when it is cold. It only does it when it is like 20 degress or below (which in Buffalo, is all the time!! :smile: and she has been parked outside (ie at work all day). I talked to my dealer and they suggested that I try using 89 octane instead of premium and it should help...well the other day, at a stop light,in traffic, she stalled and did not want to start up again. It cranked for a few seconds, started, stalled, I cranked it over again, nothing, tried again and she started. I immediately called them, I tried to be nice, and got an appointment for Wed. but I was wondering if anyone else had taken theirs in for this and did the fix work? Thanks for any help in advance.
>>
>>Sue

Sue:

I apologize...I just re-read your post and relaized that you also own a '02 Cooper CVT. If you haven't done it yet, all you need to do is to get DME Software Update CD #32.1. This will cure all your near stall/stall problems on a cold engine. transmission lurching, rough idle, hesitation, etc.

I had it done earlier this week and my car has been completely fixed. Now it drives the way it should have been when it was delivered to us 6 months ago.

Remember, what you need is software update version 32.1.

 

My MCS has a similar problem, but not a startup. It's fine when the engine temp is cold, its when the engine warms up a bit, then the revs drop and I'm in danger of stalling.

Does anyone else know if that the case with them. Do you stall immediatly or after you have been driving for a bit?

 

I took my car in yesterday for the 32.1 upgrade & my CPU fried! :???: So they are having the part sent overnight. I am SO bummed to be w/o my MINI B for 2 days! But I know once I get her back she will be like driving a whole new car. Anyone else needed to have the computer replaced? Dealer said it was the first one for them.

 

Sue.. It's definatally your MINI, probally the software problem... I'm just north of you (Lockport) and have never had problems with starting my 02 MCS...

Rocketboy_X