I have been having a problem with the RPMs dropping on my 03 MC that the dealer has been unable to fix completely.

First off, I always ran Premium fuel, at least 91 octane, per the manual. I would have the problem mainly when I leave the office. I start the car, pull out of my space and head to the exit from the lot. Since the exit is kind of steep, I put in the clutch to slow down, so as not to scrape the front end, and kind of coast out of the lot. When the car idled down, the RPMs would drop to about 500 or so and the car would shake slightly and seem to want to die. Generally, it would recover, but maybe three times, the check engine light would come on. Twice, I think, it completely stalled and I needed to restart. If the engine recovered, I would drive up to the stop sign (about 100 feet) and again, when the clutch was depressed, the RPMs would drop. Generally, there would be no power for a moment after the gear was engaged and I gave it gas, but then it seemed fine. It also would do the same type of thing in stop-and-go traffic. You put in the clutch as you coast up to the stopped traffic and the RPMs would drop and recover. I only had it stall once during traffic and that was after idling in stop-and-go traffic for about 4 miles. Lots of clutch in and out that time and never over 10 MPH.

The dealer has updated the software many times, every time telling me that this would correct the problem. Sometimes it did for a week or so, but the problem always came back.

When version 38 was installed it solved the stop-and-go low RPM problem and the parking lot problem was gone for about a week again.

I took it back to the dealer and the updated to version 39 which again seemed to correct the problem for about a week, but then it was back. The dealer looked at it again and a rep from MINI was there too and was informed of the problem, but had no suggestions. The service manager suggested trying mid-grade gas (89 or 90 octane) to see if that would help. I ran two tanks of mid-grade and it seemed to solve the problem (and milage was up to boot!), then my wife drove the car, got confused and put in 87 octane. The car ran horribly, the stop-and-go low RPM was back and just as bad or worse than before. We ran 87 once in the past and never had an issue with that tank, so it must be an issue with the new software. When the 87 was half gone, I filled up with mid-grade again and have almost run the tank empty, but have been having the stop-and-go problems still. However, the parking lot problem has not returned as of yet.

I will be filling up again tonight or tomorrow and hopefully the mid-grade will solve the problems, but if not, it is back to the dealer. It has to go in anyway since the driver door speaker decided to stop working yesterday.

Has anyone else had this problem? I don’t think it is really the same as the stumble or yo-yo problems that MCS owners have experienced, although it could be an off-shoot of it.

Any suggestions?

 

exact same issues in my 2002 launch edition cooper. They also told me software updates would solve the problem and it does for a while. Then it comes back spurattically.

I've pretty much given up and learned to live with it.

 

Morty --

When the dealer did the ECU upgrades, did you notice if your clock or trip odometer had been reset? Working on a hunch here...

Theo

 

Same problems, same solutions. The rpm dip never did occur regularly on my '03 Cooper, and after the last software upgrade its happened like once. I've learned to live with it since it happens so seldom (if ever), but I was definitely seeking solutions back when the dip was occuring more frequently.

 

Koopah-

The trip odometer has been reset sometimes, but I figured that was just the tech messing with it for some reason. The clock has never been off, although they could have reset the time I guess.


Glad to hear that I am not the only one, but sad to hear that no one has had a solution that worked.

 

The last several ECU updates from MINI (v.37, v.38 and v.39.2) seem to require a software reset to be fully functional. I believe it is because they are more carefully tweaking the base AF maps with each version release. Doing a software reset erases the existing (old) AF maps and reloads the maps from the ECU update data. Thus, if an ECU update is performed and the software is not specifically reset, you will be running updated code with the old maps.

Normally, the final step in performing these ECU updates is for the dealer to do a software reset. However, a surprising number of folks have reported that this has not been the case! There have also been instances where a poorly performing MINI (having just had and ECU update) has been corrected by the owner doing a Test 21 software reset. I'm not sure that this is the case in the reports I have read here, but its worth a try to see if it helps.

The reason I mention it is because under v.38, my MCS developed a rough idle and exhibited the behavior that is discussed below. Even a software reset did not correct it. However, after I was updated to v.39.2 and did a software reset, the problem was gone. Its been about 2,000+ miles and still no rough idle.

So, if you have been updated with v.39.2, try a Test 21 software reset. BTW -- I favor this method of resetting the software rather than a battery disconnect. Rumors have indicated that a Test 21 is more effective that a battery disconnect (your guess is a good as mine!).

Theo

 

I have printed the instructions for the software reset and will try that. Hopefully it will solve the problem. Is any particular time better to do it than others, i.e. right after filling up with gas, engine warm/cold, etc?

 

Same issue here, but i have not tried the software reset... hope it works

 

I have had this problem since day one with my 07/03 build MC. They have updated the software the whole bit.

I have just learn to deal with it.

 

You can do it anytime. Remember, this will erase the adaptive settings that have been learned by the ECU monitoring your driving style. This is actually a good thing.

Many people (count me with them) suggest that after a software reset has been performed, you drive in a "spirited" fashion for several hundred miles. This will allow the adaptive settings to adjust the fuel maps for a performance profile. I have done this several times and have found a discernable difference. However, with these more agressive maps, your mileage may take a bit of a hit ( say, ~1-2 mpg).

Also, be aware that the software reset will reset the clock, clear your trip odometer and, if you have the OBC, clear your avg mpg and avg speed registers.

Hope this helps!

Theo

 

When I did the reset yesterday, my clock was not reset. However, the average speed and mpg were reset.

 

My mistake!

The clock got reset when I used to do the battery disconnect reset technique.

Sorry!

Theo

 

I had some idle problems when new,they reflashed the software,fixed it.Had new software loaded a few months ago ,and did not notice anything except for a higher MPG in warm weather.Now that I'm into cold weather,I'm not noticing as much of a drop in MPG.Last winter,my MPG was down about 8% from warm weather driving.