This sounds kinda creepy...almost like this is just meant to find aftermarket parts and then punish you with fees

Now i'm worried about this whole V39 thing...I know its for emissions...but is it aimed at passing the california test which i heard was stricter? Or do i need it for ohio too?

 

I seriously doubt it would know nitrous... I think it has to do with the braided lines in plain sight of the technician...LOL

Homey ain't payin no fees to BMW....

 

Well after I finally succumbed to the temptation to upgrade software a couple of months ago, I've been rewarded with cold starting, rough idle, and what I'd call an unpredictable throttle response. (Tough to shift smoothly for some reason--like I'm just out-of-rhythm with the car, and I can't think of any other explanation.)

If you have no drivability problems with your car DON'T touch the software.

 

That's what I was worried about. I WILL NOT be upgrading software unless there's a mandatory recall saying I have to.

 

Be advised that if you take it in for anything (say, brake pads), you will need to make sure to tell them specificly NOT to update the software. Are they allowed to not do it? Or do they have to? I am sure some dealers will have different opinions on that issue.
Interseting....

 

Is there a hack software to detect the problem on the car just like BMW use for the service check?

 

from what i have heard, it is a mandatory upgrade only in California. I have a November 2003 build and I have NOT gotten a recall notice.

I have also heard that the dealer must send back their old CD;s when they get the new ones.. so earlier maps may not be available..

I have MTH'd my car and got a SES/EML hit on the way to Vegas. It reset it self and the reultant code was P1689. the scanner and the bmw software disks that the shop had did not recognise the code. some research on this code came up with: "Electronic Throttle Control Monitor Level 2/3 torque calibration error".. If I had any idea of what that meant.. I would tell you.. but not a clue

 

El Diablito Rojo-N20Mini,

Which dealer did you take your car for the work? Irvine or Crevier??

 

well this is just great, just when i think v39 sounds like winner,this hread pops up

hmmm,what to do, what to do

 

I have had the V39 update for over a week and haven't had any problems with it. My 100% stock '04 MCS was previously running V36 without any trouble either.

Read the MINIUSA recall letter. It states that if you want to keep your emissions warranty, you have no choice but to perform the update. Nowhere does it say that the update is done at your own option.

 

Crevier

they insisted on the V39 about a month ago... then uploaded the JCW on it to make it better... it still sucks if you ask me..

 

Yeah I'm right there with ya. I was ready to call tomarrow. The responce's are all over the place, including trouble's for some. Since for me it's an invitation and not a requirement.. You folk's in Cal. are going to have to be our eyes and ears on this one. Thanks in advance, ............. norm
Where's that thumbs down frowning face when you need it..
For me it's time to wait and see.

 

Ken, i've similar mods on my 03 MCS for a year with no issues- few months back back SES and DSC light comes on for no reason after work and its runs very rough on lite throttle and idles poorly- runs fine at full throttle. Take it in and fault code says intake pressure high-(forget the code #) they say its due to aftermarket pulley etc & won't cover under warranty- even want me to pay for diagnosis which i refuse. Agree to have them order pressure sensor switch for $60 at my cost but they can't guarantee this will fix anything. I pay total of $200 to have them order & install part and eliminate codes. It fixed whatever was wrong. Its difficult to argue when they have your car and theyu refuse to cover under warranty. It certain seems that MINI is using any aftermarket part to deny warranty coverage and really stretching.

few weeks back while in to replace my seat cushion the shop forman approaches me and tells me that if the DSC light comes on again its due to interaction of the suspension, engine and its because of my aftermarket pulley, exhaust, CAI...and it won't be covered under warranty. I argue but its like talking to the wall and seems to be MINI policy. I didn't mind paying for the one part since high intake pressure could be due to my pulley but its totally BS when the shop forman makes a blanket statement like this. I'm concerned with all the electronics on the car something will do wrong in next 2 yrs of warranaty & every problem will be blamed on pulley, etc.

 

I got that same P1689 error a few weeks ago. When I took my car in for the SES/EML light and v.39 update, they installed v.39 first. This apparently cleared the code before they saw it.

FWIW, I have the Bentley manual and it defines the error as you stated, but there's no other information to go with it.

I'm still trying to figure out what it means too.

 

El Diablito Rojo-N20Mini, sorry to hear about your trouble.

I had V39 done at Crevier a couple of weeks ago while they were replacing a cranky window motor. The passenger window wouldn't work after the car had been sitting in the sun all day. Any other time the window worked fine.

V39 on my 04 MCS has been great. I don't have all the mods that you have, just Alta intake, Magnaflow exhaust, and the "M7 Device".

I never had the "Stumble" or "yo-yo" & I was worried that the V39 would screw up a perfectly good running car, but no problem. If anything the throttle response is better and now the cruise control actually works well.

Crevier has gone the extra step to make any visits I have had there be pleasant.

Tess Davis, the new MINI SA was very helpful and friendly. There have been no negative comments on my mods, Crevier actually installs and sells aftermarket exhaust and intake systems on some of their cars. During their Halloween rally last month, the top door prize was an aftermarket “S” exhaust system, installed.

Bill

 

El Diablito - Something to seriously consider: When Helix did its most recent dyno testing on their ECU for the 15% pulley, they got some interesting data on the JCW. They compared a common modded MCS (15% pulley, intake, exhaust) with the stock software, JCW software and GIAC. Apparently, the JCW software made 10-15 less horsepower than the stock software. So the JCW software is not recommended on anything but the JCW. Don't know if the JCW software is a detune or it is so specific to the JCW that it works really poorly if your mods are different. But if you're really running JCW software without JCW hardware, change it back to stock immediately!

 

Thanks for all of the replies, even if this thread did go off on several tangents and has caused me to consider buying a larger monitor to fit certain photos in

But...just to reiterate...v39 did NOT cause any of this. The SES was on when I went in. I don't even know for sure that v39 was installed because none of my paperwork says it was. Although I am willing to accept from some of you who seem to know what you are on about that if I got the emission recall fix, that means I definitely got v39 (shouldn't they spell that out on the paperwork though?).

Now here's the kicker to the entire thing. Last night I got the SES to shut off all on my own. I started the engine, turned it off, started, turned off, started, turned off about 5 or 6 times in a row. SES gone! Why did I do such a strange thing? I was trying to pinpoint a noise from the engine that I hear whenever I turn it off.

This is a weird car. But I still love it. I don't like the company that makes it though. And my wife has been told she is NOT getting that M3 she's been after.


Ken

 

They put the JCW software in because the "NEW" software would barely run in it. The 2002 software was much more powerful above 4000 rpms. SHould know more today after the steering column is replaced and they have a chance to check out the SES light

 

I have the JCW Retro software, this is supposed to incorporate v39 and the car runs great. After the Retro install I was able to run the car on the big track at Willow Springs during the Cobra Club’s open track event. Well I impressed the heck out of my self and a few others.



BTW Mini of Universal City will not install v39 if you ask them not to.


Dave

 

I am in CA, going to Niello MINI on saturday for the recalls (crank case hose and software) and my "non-self-leveling" driverside headlight.

My car runs great now. I have a 15% pulley, ALTA CAI (with tube). Reading this post has scared me. What should I do!?

Advice would be great.

 

I received a recall notice today for my 2/04MCS. It states it is a national problem in Canada, and that

..."will update the engine control module with the latest software"...

..."Failure to have this free repair work performed could be determined as a lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle and could jeopardize your full protection under the emmisions warranty"...

Doesn't appear to be much choice in the matter

 

That's not a strange thing. With minor problems such as what you had, if they occur even for a second they trip the light. But if they don't occur again for several starts, it goes away. Something could have been caused by bad gas, etc.

Another way may be to remove the battery for a few minutes.

 

From the next to last paragraph on the first page of the 04E-A01 recall letter:

 

Originally Posted by efcmini
Now here's the kicker to the entire thing. Last night I got the SES to shut off all on my own. I started the engine, turned it off, started, turned off, started, turned off about 5 or 6 times in a row. SES gone! Why did I do such a strange thing? I was trying to pinpoint a noise from the engine that I hear whenever I turn it off.

I've heard that a loose gas cap will cause the light & it'll last through 5 or 6 starts after it's corrected. I bought some philips 66 gas immediately after I pullied mine & got the light right after leaving the station. It went out about 2 days later. Don't know if it was the gas, the cap, the pulley, or what. No light since. Anyways, glad you're in the clear.

 

I have a mid summer 02 build and believe I have v32 – not sure it could be earlier, but the point is it is the original software programmed in to my MCS and it has never been updated. I have nothing wrong with my MCS and have nothing wrong with this build software.

I’ve been given a recall notice for two problems and one is to upgrade the software. I will not get this update because I live in a state that does not require a smog check and I am confident my v32 is a great build.