I have an automatic, and I find that when I try to go at slow speeds, like for parking or in a parking lot, the car bucks and putt putts like it is going to stall. In order for it not to do that, I have to really give it gas, then it goes just a bit to fast to park. I called service and they said it is partof the way the automatic performs. Is this true, or is this a problem with mine? Anyone know?

 

HAve the dealer check your software version.......Should not do that.

 

You have defective engine controlling software. Demand for the dealer to upgrade your computer to version 32.2 of the software.

The dealer gave you a lame *** response...hate to sound sexiest, but are u a female?

That explains the dealer's dismal way to respond to your inquiry.

 

Thank you guys! Yes, I am a female, and yes, I wasn't too aggressive on the phone as I just thought it might be the way a cvt auto acts. I will call him again tomorrow.

 

give it to em'!
i need this fixed too!

 

Does anyone know when the 32.2 upgrade starting being standard in the building process. Mine was a Feb build, and wonder if I should see about getting the upgrade.

thanks,

wags

 

minidee,

I had that problem too. Software upgrade made a big difference.

I would bet that the CVT the dealer uses for test-drives does not lurch at low speeds. They would never sell any.

 

good point bigbud!
i never experienced it when i took my test drive! :evil:

 

mine does that.. and my dealer never told me of any software upgrades. i guess ill have to do that upgrade before i sell my car...
:???:

 

Thanks guys for your input. I am bringing my mini to the service dept. tuesday for the software upgrade.

 

Okay...I was just upgraded to 32.2...still have the stutter and was told that this is the way all CVT's drive. They had me drive another one on the lot and it did the same thing. I told them that that explanation doesn't fly with me. I test drove with my mechanic and asked him if I was crazy, he said no and I asked if I was a pain for questioning it and he said no. I am female and have told them that the car is unacceptable to me. So they are looking in to my trade options and buyback options. I have already been through all the upgrades, a new wire harness due to stalling on the middle of the freeway and the supposedly loose wire in some of the harnesses as well as many other issues with the transmission that all seemed to be fixed by the upgrades, except for the slow drive stutter issues.

Question is: Is anyone's OCT'03 MC- CVT not stuttering, or feeling like it needs more gas at low speeds and chugs a few times, when you only give it a little. IS THIS NORMAL????javascript:%20x()

Also...is there a specific way to drive in the car in low speeds...i.e. what is SD mode for, when do you all use it.

Thanks

 

My CVT is a Dec 2002 build, I do not have the shutter or bouncing or anything like that. At slow speeds it is solid as a rock. I am not sure of the software version that I have but it has not been upgraded since I picked up the car on 2/1/03.

Gas mileage is going up also, filled up last night and got 32.5 mpg on my last tank.

 

>>My CVT is a Dec 2002 build, I do not have the shutter or bouncing or anything like that. At slow speeds it is solid as a rock. I am not sure of the software version that I have but it has not been upgraded since I picked up the car on 2/1/03.
>>
>>Gas mileage is going up also, filled up last night and got 32.5 mpg on my last tank.
>>
>>

Do you drive in "D" or "SD" in slow speeds?

 

I drive in "D" at slow speeds. As a matter of fact your car shoul drive at all speeds regardless of what CVT program you happen to be in (Normal, Sport or Steptronic).

Was your car part of the dreaded CVT wrong factory oil viscosity recall? If your car is a Oct '02 build it was most likely affected by this recall.

My 2002 Cooper CVT has been solid as a rock and no, low speed sttutering is not a normal trait of this or any other car.

I am under the impression that if your transmission does not respond to software upgrades, wiring harness replacements and so on and so forth, there has to be something mechanically wrong with the transmission itself and this could well be an after effect of the transmission oil screw up at the factory.

My CVT is an early August 2002 build and therefore was not part of this recall. People that have had early 2003 CVT's recalled have had a plethora of problems that go well beyond the scope of the controlling software updates.

good luck. Are you thinking of upgrading to a Cooper 'S or are you abandoning MINI alltogether?

 

Thanks for the reply

I've already been through the wrong viscosity recall/a new wire harness(after stalling on the freeway)all the upgrades to date (33.2) which along the way the upgrades have gotten rid of the lurch from P/R to D/as well as most of the low RPMS at stops/but being left with the slow driving lurching, is still annoying. Just wondering if I should let this go, or fight it. In other words is it driving correctly or not?

I'm willing to try Mini again, but my dealership tells me it drives like all other CVT's so my only option is to switch to manual. My salesman is looking into how badly I will get screwed by this, so I am trying to get as much research done as I possibly can do defend my position.

 

>>Thanks for the reply
>>
>>I've already been through the wrong viscosity recall/a new wire harness(after stalling on the freeway)all the upgrades to date (33.2) which along the way the upgrades have gotten rid of the lurch from P/R to D/as well as most of the low RPMS at stops/but being left with the slow driving lurching, is still annoying. Just wondering if I should let this go, or fight it. In other words is it driving correctly or not?
>>
>>I'm willing to try Mini again, but my dealership tells me it drives like all other CVT's so my only option is to switch to manual. My salesman is looking into how badly I will get screwed by this, so I am trying to get as much research done as I possibly can do defend my position.
>>
>>


If you are unhappy with the car, try to investigate if you can invoke your state's lemon laws or force MINIUSA to buyback the car. You should not get screwed by any of this, because the problems are not your fault, but rather, serious deficiencies in product quality control. In other words, make them pay for their mistakes, not you.

If they buyback your car, probably the only thing you will have to pay is for the mileage that they will pro-rate at a specific cost in cents per mile. Call MINIUSA and very politely tell them that you are your wits end with the car and that every possible fix attempt and solution has been already done and the car stills craps out on you. Tell them that while you want to remain a MINI customer, that will depend upon the fact that if they are willing to buyback the car from you and put you behind the wheel of another MINI.

Stick to your guns...remember your car's problems are not your fault.

 

Add me to list of problematic CVTs. I've got a Nov '02 build. It wasn't affected by the transmission fluid recall. In January, I had the 32.1 upgrade done and it eliminated the low speed jerkiness and stalling problems.....until today. First acceleration of the day brought on major hesitation, until I gassed it good and it recovered. Then about 5 more minutes into my drive, the car stalled doing about 15mph uphill. It started right back up, but it was enough to get my adrenaline going!! I've got an appointment at the dealer on Friday, but after reading how unhappy other owners have been with the 32.2 upgrade, I am afraid of it making things worse. I'll let you all know how it goes. I am a female, too, but I feel pretty confident in talking about the car (thanks to all the guys on MCO who have helped me learn tons about my MINI).

 

Also, check the shift light under the speedometer to make sure the letters "EP" aren't showing. Mine has had the dreaded EP for the past month and so far no fixes!

 

WIRE HARNESS...That's exactly happened to me at one point in my troubles. Mini or your dealer should cover your rental...If they give a hard time call 1-866-ask-mini and tell them that you are scared to drive your car since the danger is great that you could get in an accident if you stall in the middle of traffic and also request a field rep to get involved with your car. The wire harness fixed the stalling problem, but I still have the stutter in slow speeds.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

>>Add me to list of problematic CVTs. I've got a Nov '02 build. It wasn't affected by the transmission fluid recall. In January, I had the 32.1 upgrade done and it eliminated the low speed jerkiness and stalling problems.....until today. First acceleration of the day brought on major hesitation, until I gassed it good and it recovered. Then about 5 more minutes into my drive, the car stalled doing about 15mph uphill. It started right back up, but it was enough to get my adrenaline going!! I've got an appointment at the dealer on Friday, but after reading how unhappy other owners have been with the 32.2 upgrade, I am afraid of it making things worse. I'll let you all know how it goes. I am a female, too, but I feel pretty confident in talking about the car (thanks to all the guys on MCO who have helped me learn tons about my MINI).

 

>>>>My CVT is a Dec 2002 build, I do not have the shutter or bouncing or anything like that. At slow speeds it is solid as a rock. I am not sure of the software version that I have but it has not been upgraded since I picked up the car on 2/1/03.
>>>>
>>>>Gas mileage is going up also, filled up last night and got 32.5 mpg on my last tank.
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>Do you drive in "D" or "SD" in slow speeds?

Actually the opposite, I use SD all the time, and also shift. My speeds are really under 70mph, I also do 90mph for about 30 miles. I drive fast and love it......

The passport 8500 is my best friend will I drive......works great.

 

Thanks Spliceit!!

Any other symptoms of a wiring harness gone bad (besides the obvious stalling?)

 

>>Thanks Spliceit!!
>>
>>Any other symptoms of a wiring harness gone bad (besides the obvious stalling?)


A bad wiring harness can cause warning lights: SVC ENGINE SOON, EML, FLAT TIRE (false alarm). Also, EP warning in the transmission display.

Also can cause transmission to slip BIG TIME (RPM 3000+ just to go 20 MPH).

Takes all the joy out of the new-car-experience too.

 

>>A bad wiring harness can cause warning lights: SVC ENGINE SOON, EML, FLAT TIRE (false alarm). Also, EP warning in the transmission display.
>>

Hmmm, the SVC ENGINE SOON light did come on when I stalled, but disappeared once I started back up.

 

harmini.
i wouldn't sweat it, it's happened to mine before.
i think we definitely should start to make more noise with mini about the low speed problem!
this should be very fixable!
why it's taking so long for them to do it is the question! :evil:

 

I have a call into Mini Headquarters to talk to a field rep or engineer, someone named Phil, to try to get some answers as to how the CVT works and why it does the things it does, to some of us, but not all.

Harmini-
My car had been in the shop about a week before the stalling because i would go from a stop and my car would only go 10mph with my foot flat to the floor for about 100ft and then all of sudden take off...They found nothing wrong, but check all connections and gave it back to me...the day after I got it back, the exact same thing that happened to you happened to me. I was driving along and my car jerked back really hard, felt like I got whiplash, and about 5 minutes later I stalled. Started right back up again and gave it back to them.