CVT Transmission won't upshift
 

Hey guys!

I have a client with a 2005 Cooper with 54,000 miles on it. Her complaint is that the vehicle would not go more than 30mph or 50mph and at those speeds the engine speed is like 4000-5000rpms. Basically it feels like the CVT transmission is stuck and won't upshift to the next gear.

We cleared drive ratio adaptations and test drove it then it was fine but minutes later same problem. Now we're on the 3rd time clearing/resetting the adaptations and on the test drive it will no longer adapt. Also no faults stored on the transmission or engine computer.

This is the first time we've seen this complaint on a CVT Cooper. We suspect something is internally faulty inside the transmission causing it not to upshift.

Has anyone else had this issue and what was the fix?

CVTs have a really high failure rate, which I'm sure you're aware of.

Will it shift if you do it manually in sport mode?

Had the same problem on mine. A local trans shop guy insisted that it was the output speed sensor. I just replaced it with a 6-speed. (want to buy a used CVT that won't upshift? Cheap!!)

Interesting. Is it possible to change out just that sensor? Or is it like most CVT-related stuff, a replacement?

I believe it threads into the bottom of the case somewhere...I never checked to see if these are available separately, but being a CVT, and MINI, I will say a) it certainly should, and therefore 2) probably isn't.

Ha.

Okay, good to know.

Not really. You shift up but the gear indicator will go back down to the previous gear.

There is a rotational speed sensor that is a sellable item. Only problem is that there are no faults in the computer mentioning a sensor. The sensor is $325.00 retail part number 24 35 7 518 732. Customer doesn't want to pay any diagnostic time so it's getting towed out.

I just got off with the phone with a friend of mine who's a Mini technician and he said right off the bat it's a bad transmission and is a common issue.

Yup, CVT is infamous for failure.
Some more info: https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/179920-stuck-on-manual-shifting.html

Also: http://www.motoringfile.com/files/CVT_description.pdf

Thanks for the info!

The computer didn't throw any codes on my car, either.

Hey, friends. So if the CVT is bad, how hard is it to put in a stick shift? 6 speed. and which transmission is the best to swap too.

Here you go: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...peed-auto.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...speed-but.html

CVT, the disposable transmission.