I just tried that thing to access the MINI's computer...the one where you hold down the trip reset button and then turn the key to the 1 Position. It was...interesting...

When I scrolled through to menu option 14.0-14.4 (On-board diagnostic codes), I got the following display:

14.0 = 202800
14.1 = 000000
14.2 = 000000
14.3 = 000000
14.4 = 000000

If these are truly diagnostic codes, then what does 202800 in position 14.0 signify? Someone mentioned that all zeroes means "no failures"...well...202800 isn't all zeroes! Nothing SEEMS to be wrong with my MINI.

Also, I scrolled to menu option 2 ("Combi-system Test&quot and let go of the reset button, and oh man, I wasn't ready for what happened next: EVERY dash light lit up, EVERY ONE. Then the speedometer needle slowly moved from 0 all the way to the top speed, and back down again, whilst simultaneously the RPM needle did the same thing. The hazards flashed, the bells dinged, the display scrolled from 000000 to 999999 and back again....it was like the car was posessed. After three complete test cycles, it stopped. Good thing...I was getting worried how long the "testing" would last!

Then I scrolled to option 21 and let go (Software Reset). Man this was wacky too. You can actual hear mechanical things happening behind the dash, like things clicking, then the entire display "went dead" and then back on again. Guess it worked. :smile:

I tried option 9.0 (actual on board voltage) and got a reading of "123" I supposed this means 12.3 Volts?

for option 1.4 Production date, I got 16 03 (16th week of 2003) which is correct....

Anyway, this was a neat experience....but I want to know what 202800 for Diagonstic Code 14.0 means.

Rock On,

-Joe

PS- This is what I'm referring to above:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f..._obc_functions

 

Have you driven it since you did the Software Reset?

 

<Have you started it since you did the software reset?>

No, why? I started it...started fine....idle was fine....seemed completely normal. Do you know something I don't know?

Rock On,

-Joe

 

Doing a software reset will erase your adaptive logic memory in your ECU, along with zero'ing out your trip odometer. Be sure to drive your MINI "normal" for the first few miles, so the computer learns "correctly" again.

The Gong test is very normal - every OBD II car has this function as a basic test.

 

Ryephile,

Thanks for the advice. Actually, tomorrow morning bright and early (6:30 AM, so I arrive at the dealer at 7:30 AM when the service dept. opens!) I am bringing my car in for its first 10,000 mile complementary service: new oil filter and oil.

The dealer is 60 miles away, so I will drive in residential areas for about 5 miles, then hit the highway for the remaining 50+ miles, driving about 70 MPH the entire time... is this OK, constitute as "normal" driving? I don't drive it hard or "crazy" -- not my style. It's CVT.

Also, I have written up other warranty issues I want the dealer to address tomorrow while it's in for oil service:

Updating the software to the latest version (36??) because I'm not sure my MINI has 36 in it...(May 2003 delivery). I sometimes experience rough/low idle and "near stall" (although it never has stalled competely) at stoplights, especially when the A/C is cycling (draws lotsa power I guess). So, I am requesting that they reflash my ECU with the most recent software version tomorrow.

Also, I want them to fix some loose moulding issues, and check the area where the heatshield is rubbing against the power steering pump hoses...it has rubbed through the aluminum hose sheething because it is touching the heatshield, and the vibrations are making it cut through...could be trouble down the line...heat shield or pump needs to be adjusted just 1/8" inch in either direction to avoid contact.

Anyway, if they do an ECU update, that constitutes a "software reset" as well, right?

Thanks for the expert input!

-Joe

 

>>
>>
>><Have you started it since you did the software reset?>
>>
>>No, why? I started it...started fine....idle was fine....seemed completely normal. Do you know something I don't know?
>>
>>Rock On,
>>
>>-Joe
>>
>>

Ryephile beat me to it.

On a side note:
Anyone that has had their software updated to V36 and had a negitive effect on the engines performance how about posting your issues. I'm still on V32.1 and scheduled for my Inspection I on Thursday

 

Is your correct milage still there?

 

Not that I really think you can do any irrevocable damage, but just playing with this stuff (i.e., doing a software reset) for no reason other than curiosity doesn't seem like a particularly good idea. By resetting your computer, you've now managed to put yourself in a situation where you have to "re-teach" the car's computer...when as best as I can tell from your report there was nothing really wrong with it to begin with. Not a big issue, but still something extra for you to deal with that didn't exist before.

This is all pretty reminiscent of some computer (PC) users who end up needing to do an OS reinstall because they delete "extra" files (i.e. system files whose function was not immediately apparent) or Sony TV owners who completely screw up their TVs by accessing the hidden "service menu" (in that case, it IS apparently possible to destroy the device by uninformed tampering).

Anyhow, it's a $20,000 "toy" and your dealer (who may not always un-do things for free) is 60 miles away. There's generally a reason why these "options" are a bit hidden.

 

Yes, the correct mileage is still there. A software reset doesn't wipe out things like mileage, or even the clock (time) for that matter. If it did, we'd have thousands of 2 and 3 year old MINI Coopers with "only 10 miles!" on the car. :smile:

Anyways....I'm bringing my car in for its first (10K) service: new oil, new filter, and also for the dealer to reflash the ECU with software version 36.x (whatever the .x is at this point in time, 1, 2, 3, whatever).

So...I'd say no harm done since it's getting an entirely new program "uploaded" today anyway.

I'll let ya know how the 60-mile drive to the dealer goes this morning...and how the entire first 10K service experience was for me as well. They're giving me a loaner MINI for the day...which I'll return tonight before 7 PM when I pick up my MINI.

Rock On,

-Joe

 

*** Service Update ***

So this morning at 6:30 AM, I drove my MINI to Princeton MINI for its first 10K service. What was interesting was as I was driving the 50 miles or so on I-195 West, a Chili Red Mini w/White Roof and white lettering on the boot window that read "FOLLOW ME TO PRINCETON MINI!" enters the highway in front of me.

Needless to say, I followed that MINI to the dealer...turns out that loaner car was being driven by another NAM member, who had taken his Cooper S in for service on Friday....he was going to pick it up this morning. Small world.

When I got there at 7:30 AM, the service advisor had just arrived as well. He was very friendly, very pleasant. Took down my information, asked me what other issues I had with the car, and explained everything in detail. Then he handed me the keys to the CR/White Loaner MINI...which was an October 03 model CVT (in other words, a new '04).

It was bone stock, only had 3 toggle switches: left window, right window and lock/unlock doors!

But, it DID have Sirius Satellite radio which was cool...except the reception was sketchy at times...and it sounded "tinny" like an MP3 does...

However, the car was tight! I mean, I can really tell a difference between my May 03 CVT and this October 03 (04 model) CVT with the new V36 software. It just drove soooo much smoother...and upon deceleration for stoplights, I noticed the 04 model tachometer stayed virtually steady at around 2000 RPM, which was good for stop and go traffic, because if you didn't have to make a complete stop, you are already in a higher powerband. It just seemed overall that the V36 software for the CVT has been truly optimized for better performance. My CVT sometimes shudders at idle. This car was smooth as silk at idle. I told the service advisor about the shudder, and to please update the software. He said they would check it out, he did confirm that "yes, there have been new software updates since your May 03 model..." but did not say FOR SURE that they would update mine....just that "they would check it out." Well, when he calls later this morning (he assured me he would be calling me with updates) I will be sure to insist on a software update!

So far, so good. Hopefully I'll have good news to report this evening when I pick up my car.

Rock On,

-Joe

PS- Oh yeah, another thing I liked was the speed display on the tachometer...nice touch. It's funny, but seeing the speedometer needle "around 80" doesn't seem so bad until you see the numbers "SPEED: 80 mph" in your tachometer window.

 

Hey Boognish, I have a July '03 Cooper CVT and I have yet to take it in for it's first maintenance. My roommate recently took his Cooper S in for a leak problem, and he got an '04 Cooper CVT as a loaner. So being curious about how the new car drove, I took it out for a while and I agree that it feels different than driving mine. You said in your previous post that you were going to have them update your software? Did they do it, and if so, does yours handle better? And I don't know if this is a dumb question, but are the extra features (the current speed and current fuel consumption) in later onboard computers added to yours with the software update, or is that software independent of the computer's? Thanks in advance for any info.