Getting towed to MINI of Dublin, OH! 5547 miles on odometer.
It turns over but will not start. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Yes. Mine had that problem about 2 weeks ago. It eventually started after several cranks. Then as I was driving the temperature warning went off and on. It was a Sunday so the dealer wasn't open. I drove home and waited until the next day to bring it in. It had trouble starting the next morning as well, but after several cranks it finally started.

Turns out the thermostat failed and my car was thinking it was over heating. The bad thermostat may also prevent the car from starting.

They replaced the thermostat and so far things have been ok.

 

5514 miles on mine, just had the same problem! A couple days ago the weather first started to get below freezing here in western michigan. 2 times, upon cold start 1st thing in the am, car started and stalled. Today it didnt want to start at all. I was able to get it going by giving it gas. Just went out to try again and it stalled again. It acts like it has water in the gas, but obviously theres a bigger issue here if you guys are having the same problems in the same region and weather. Once i find out whats going on i'll post an update.

 

repeated post deleted.

 

SA told me it was a faulty fuel pump and that it has been redesigned. Hope I am getting the one that's been redesigned!

 

sorry to hear about that. what bugs me is that you have a 2012...why didnt they put the newly redesigned pump at the factory? and im wondering if your SA is just saying this to appease you...not sure how you can verify what he is saying but perhaps you can dig deeper?

 

I drove down to Columbus, OH and picked up my car last night. It turned out they replaced the low pressure fuel pump and "washed" my car. I drove my car back last night and this morning I went to start the car and I could barely get it to start. It was acting just like it did on Saturday, it turned over but seemed to not be getting any fuel. I finally got it started and went straight to my dealer in Cleveland on my way to work. They looked at it today and said it was throwing a bad injector fault code and are now replacing those. I really hope this gets to the root cause of it. BTW, the Cleveland dealer is buffing out the boot hatch on the other dealer's dime.

 

Any news on your situation? What did they say caused it? BTW, don't let the dealer "wash" your car.

 

I'll try to keep them from touching the paint! Our car has perfect paint, which i'm not used to, so hopefully they don't mess it up. Just going in tonight. They didn't have loaners until today and I can't really operate on one vehicle very well.... I had to start it this morning, but didn't have any problems this time. Fired right up. I went out just a few minutes ago and again it was acting up and running very rough. I hate 'disappearing' problems, especially when the dealer is an hour away.

 

Add my Blue Bomber to the list of no starts. I had the oil changed at the dealer yesterday because I did not want to go 15,000 miles before the first change. They changed the oil, charged me $79, and today, the car wont start. I'm sure it's just coincidence, but the first time the dealer is under the hood of my car, and it fails the next day.
Symptons are inability to start, sputtering and stalling, the coolant light going on, and the fans never shutting off. Had the car towed to the dealer (another long mess that I wont go into) and I'm waiting to hear what their plans are to fix it.

Mark

 

I had a similar issue in my 2011 MCS. Documented here and here. Final diagnosis was a faulty valvetronic actuator.

 

The saga continues, as my original dealer replaced the fuel injectors and then next the car gave them a faulty thermostat so they replaced that too I am happy to say that they suggested they keep it overnight so they can try to start it on a really cold morning tomorrow. At least they want to be sure they solved it, but I am not confident that the MINI computer is that great in determining whats wrong. I asked if maybe the injector problem was caused by me trying to start it and cranking it so many times without it starting. I have heard that this can wreck havoc with injectors, so its probably just as good they replaced them. I have also heard that the no start problem is related to the thermostat. We will see. They have also detailed and buffed out the boot lid for me, but I will have to see how good it looks when I pick it tomorrow.

 

Turns out sensor inside the thermostat was defective, but they replaced the whole thing. I have seen many other posts on this and I hope this resolves it as the car could leave you stranded!

 

Thermostat was replaced yesterday, and so far, no problems. The computer threw a fault code 3393 (coolant Temp Plausibility) At least that is what I was told. They did show me the data, and it said the vehicle computer recorded a 125C temperature, for an actual 3C temp. The dealer did rush the car through on a Friday afternoon, and I have to give them credit for trying.
It's odd that the failure mode for the thermostat failing results in a totally inoperable car.

Mark

 

Its not really the thermostat that is the problem, its the temperature sensor in the thermostat giving the computer highly inaccurate temperature information. Its not that it gives readings that are a few degrees off, its way off. This is what the SA told me yesterday. What I don't like is the fact that the new thermostat is the same design/revision level as the old one. I worry that this could happen again and leave me stranded.

 

kunzman,

I guess that's my concern. If the design of the entire system is dependent upon a single sensor, there should be some type of "limp" mode available to over ride a faulty signal. I wish you could still get a car with a simple temperature gauge, and, as the driver, make the decision on how to proceed. This system takes the decision out of your hands, and simply shuts the car down. I don't know if I could ever depend upon a system as undependable as that.

Mark

 

I had the same problem as soon as it turned cold. What it sounds like to me is that there should be a recall. I have to bring it to the dealer in the morning and see what they have to say.

 

My temp thermostat went out at 6500 miles. Same symptoms: turning over, barely catching, and then off to a stumbling start.

I thought for sure I was going to be stranded the last time it happened, but she limped off and finally caught.

The thermostat was replaced, but 3 weeks later, in 32 degree temperature, she exhibited similar symptoms.

Needless to say, after 3 rounds of thinking I just had to have a MINI, I traded her in for a 2012 Civic coupe.

In all my years of owning Hondas, never ever did I think twice about reliability or the possibility of being stranded.

 

It's been a while since i've logged in. Wow, I'm amazed at how many people are having their thermostats replaced.

Put me on the list for the having the thermostat replaced for the "3rd time". My car is currently at the dealership. My SA has notified MINI and I dont have a good feeling about this. I think 3 times is enough. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

sounds like similar issues to almost exactly what my GF experienced this past weekend with her 2011 CM S. I hope it is something the dealer can fix rather fast. I feel that something like this though should perhaps have tripped a CEL/MIL. Oh twell.

 

(sigh) .. a depressing picture, sadly I'm adding my name to the list..

Here's my story..

I drove from San Antonio to Toronto with my 2011 MCC S All-4, 1,400 miles each way. My last day in Toronto had a rough start, sounded horrible but started, I figured it was because of the freezing temperatures.

On the way back to San Antonio I stopped for the night, it was wet and cold out.. Next morning I started the engine it, it kept trying to start and stumbled and then stalled. Waited 2 minutes, started it again, stumbled again but this time I gassing it up to 3k-4k rpms.. finally kicked in.

Driving 10 hours later and just outside of Dallas a yellow temperature light comes on, engine performance feels throttled . I pulled over and I started the Mini Connected App that shows temperature, got a reading of 242 degrees. I opened hood, fans going like crazy, but engine was not hot, coolant level was fine, I carefully loosened the coolant cap, no pressure..

Called a dealership in Dallas. SA told me to call road assist, called road assist (note: there is an excellent Iphone app for this - search for mini roadside assistance) - rep asked me the color of the light.. (yellow or red) told them yellow, suggested I drive to the dealership.. started driving to dealership. I could hardly accelerate to highway speed, temperature increased to 252 degrees and then a red temperature light came on.. Pulled over, launched roadside app again and called for tow.. waited 40 minutes watched temperature, dropped to 240 degrees and didn't go lower, engine was cool to touch.. so @ this point I knew it was electronic issue.

Dealership replaced Thermostat housing (11-53-7-588-876) and filled/bled coolant system. I requested a firmware update on the engine per another thread, but dealership said it didn't need it.

Drove back to San Antonio all good, then drove out a few times last night, battery charge warning on Mini Connected screen came on, then this morning a really rough start and then stalled. Warning message came on the console "Engine Malfunction/performance is degraded", I started it again, it started fine, but yellow half-engine symbol came up.

Used the Mini Roadside App again, again the rep asked for me the color of the light.. told them what happened the day before and mentioned I was not going to get stranded trying to get the dealership.. they agreed and dispatched a tow..

I talked to the tow guy, asked him if this was his first countryman tow.. he said it was his 6th Countryman tow in the last two weeks, all engine problems and all were the 'S' Editions.. but this was the 1st countryman he noticed with all-4 and standard transmission.

Called San Antonio Mini, they said they are booked and I might not get the car until Monday, I told the SA I would rather the mechanic be thorough and fix the problem than rush through it and have me coming back again and again.

I'll update this thread on what happens next..

 

Just following up on my older post (above). We picked the car up after 15 days at the dealer. it's been OK so far in freezing, near freezing, and 400 miles/5 days since. However, I suspect the issue will come back as others have.

 

Same here...

1 month exactly after I got my Countryman, the thermostat died on me and I barely made it to the dealer. Hopefully I'll have my car back on Monday...

 

Another one here... 5700 miles on my All4S. They need to replace the thermostat and the part is on backorder from Germany. I'll be cruising in a Dodge Caliber for at least a week

 

I thought they fixed the thermostat issue in the 2012s, you guys have early 2012 CMs? I take it the temp sensor (switch) fails in wide open or closed position causing the max temp issue.

I understand first year models have problems. I have first year (early) Nissan 04 Titan that had a few problems but all were fixed with a bunch of well documented TSB's that came out quickly to address the issues along with new redesigned parts. Longest Nissan had my truck was 5 days and they completely replaced my rear axle (brake to brake) due to a weak pin in the side gear (Dana rear end, made in the USA). The second model year did not have the same issues, every thing was fixed.