I have difficulty to start up my JCW MCS after it's parked overnight. When I turn my key to ignition... the rpm will go up to around 2000 then dropped below 1000... then the engine stalled. it happen sometime if I jux parked my car for a short period of time too. the only mod I have is the Alta intake!

thanks in advance!!!

Ed

 

We have been talking about this issue over at mini2.
Which brand of gas do you use?

 

Ed, I have an 04 JCW with v37 software and no cold start issue. Have you updated the software to v37 yet? :smile:

 

I dun hv a chance to update my software to V.37 yet... I m using 93..which is the highest octane we could get in US!

I hope the software will solve this problem.... I was wondering will it be and leak from intake.... tat's the thing that I was worrying about....!

thanks

Ed

 

>>I hope the software will solve this problem.... I was wondering will it be and leak from intake.... tat's the thing that I was worrying about....!

I have the Alta intake as well, but that should not pose a problem either. Try the v37 and see!

 

I don't have the Works upgrade but I do have v37 and still have stalling above 50 deg.

 

I juz realized tat MINI actually has more problems tat my old car... Subaru WRX...
sigh.. I hope MINI will be able to fix it soon

Ed

 

for the record.. many sunoco's near philly carry what they claim to be 94 octane. i dont use it though.. 93 for me.

 

i have 15% pulley and alta intake, and EVERY morning i get a weak start, then die. Whether its cold or not. I've only had the car for a month and assumed that that is just the way the car is.....

is it not supposed to do that?

 

My MINI does it when its warm and wet... like nearly every day the past month...

 

hmmm wow this is a lot more common than I thought.....

My Sept built 04 MCS has not had startup problems so far (I hope I don't jinx it)
The car came with V35 interim release, and I have added Webb Motorsport's ECU software upgrade.

What verion of the software is everyone running?
As I recall, stumble was first introduced by a software version that was intended to fix start-up issues. Maybe V36/37 fixed the stumble, but brought back the hard-starting problems?!

Would everyone please report your build date / software version if you know it, thanks.

 

Everyone --

I have a 2002 MCS (June build), and had a chronic cold-start problem for a while. The only thing I did that changed that was changing my engine oil to AMSOIL. Ever since then, I've not had any problems with starting.

Might want to give it a try, if you haven't already. Feel free to PM me if you need more data.

-Troy

 

Mine just got the starting problem, and it's and 03 build with v36. The problem started with the warmer, wet weather, but still doesn't start when it's dry out. I hade the software upgrade to v36 in December, and never had the problem prior to that in warmer weather.

Could v36 be the problem?

 

i have no idea what version of software i have in my car.... my car's build date was feb. 2004...... it is a 2004 with the newer style exhaust hangers (if thats any help of telling you which software version it is)...

all i know is i have start problems all the time.... and sometimes when i'm backing out of my garage, i have to give some throttle to keep it from dying before i back it out....

 

hmm it does sound like you guys with V36 or later are experiencing start-up problems......
I think you should all talk to your dealer or call 1-866-ASK-MINI. MINI may not even be aware of it yet.

 

I have recently started having start up problems. Just on first try in the morning. doesn't seem to be a temp problem. Mine is an 04 MCS with Alta CAI, 15% pulley & Magnaflow. No ECU mods. Was fine for couple months with these mods then, just developed the start problem. I'll try a different brand of 93 gas, not sure but I thing its Sunoco in there now.

 

hello all, my mini is a 7/02 build MCS and I've experienced some funny start up things like hesitation even having to give the key a second turn before. Then read somewhere that before starting to turn the engine over, turn the key to the ON position and give it a couple of seconds. When you try it you'll notice a whole bunch of what sounds like different gadgets doing their thing somewhere under the car. Once I got used to it and started to start the car that way, it starts just like it should. good luck! :smile:

 

I am with sfjames.......also....READ that there manual......do not step on the gas pedal.......(that is probably not in the manual, it is a matter of principle) Ya don't do that on an injected engine......

 

good point on reading the manual. i find that a lot of the questions asked on the board (i won't claim innocence on the matter) can simply be looked up in the manual! check the index... lots of info.

 

I have a 04 MCS and I don't have the hard start problem. I feel your pain, and since many of you have helped me and others with problems, I want to do what I can to help everyone out.

Since I don't have the hard start problem, I'll list my "setup" and we can all try to figure out workarounds, etc.
I have a Sept built 04 MCS. My car came with software version V35 interim release, which fixes the stumble. Using that as the base software, I have installed the Webb/Powersport ECU code. (however as far as I know, startup/idle parameters are not changed, so the base software is controlling the start/idle)

I always use Shell 93 gas, and have tried one tank of Cumberland (Gulf) 93. No problem with either brand.

When I start up my car, I always turn the key to position 2, and wait for the fuel pump to pressurize. If you listen closely, you can probably hear the fuel pump energizing. However if you just wait for the seat belt "dings" to finish, you should be fine. The reason I do that is because my 1994 BMW always had hard start problems, and waiting in position 2 fixes the problem.

The reason I listed these items above is because I think there might be 3 elements we can look at here. 1) software version - Maybe V36 introduces this hard start problem? Is everyone having this hard start problem running V36? I believe V36 came installed from the factory since November. For those who have the hard start problem, do you have V36?
2) gas - someone suggested switching to a different brand of gas to see if it helps. How about give that a try?
3) waiting for a few seconds before starting is a "workaround" that I lived with for 9 years with my 325i. I want to know if I don't have a hard start problem because of this. How about you guys try it too?!

Okay I'm done typing, please report back!

 

>>I am with sfjames.......also....READ that there manual......do not step on the gas pedal.......(that is probably not in the manual, it is a matter of principle) Ya don't do that on an injected engine......
>>
>> In ten months of daily driving my MINI has stalled once -40 ,the car started on the first try ,but I let the clutch right away and the frozen tranny stalled the motor,my dumb
so I crank the motor,nothing,wait,,, crank,nothing.Remember manual says press throttle
slightly if cold.Try that and away we go motoring
We can now buy block heaters,so cooollllddddd starts should be easy now,the MINI always started,but anything else around here without one won't start.

 

>>>>I am with sfjames.......also....READ that there manual......do not step on the gas pedal.......(that is probably not in the manual, it is a matter of principle) Ya don't do that on an injected engine......
>>>>
>>>> In ten months of daily driving my MINI has stalled once -40 ,the car started on the first try ,but I let the clutch right away and the frozen tranny stalled the motor,my dumb
>>so I crank the motor,nothing,wait,,, crank,nothing.Remember manual says press throttle
>>slightly if cold.Try that and away we go motoring
>>We can now buy block heaters,so cooollllddddd starts should be easy now,the MINI always started,but anything else around here without one won't start.
>>


Man.....I wanna move to Manitoba soooo bad.........kidding, just kidding...I am sure it is wonderful and I will (I think) drive through there when I finally drive mah F-350 to Alaska and back.....