This has been discussed on other boards, but I thought I would post it here to let you all know. Today while motoring in 5th gear, I started to slow as I neared an intersection. Clutch in...shift to 4th. No 4th! No 3rd, 2nd, 1st, or Neutral either. As MINI limped to the side of the road, I felt shock kick in. My MINI is sick!

So I call Roadside Assistance. When the tow truck arrives, he mentions to me that this is the second MINI he's towed with this problem! Apparently, there is a weak linkage connection somewhere in the gearbox. This has been a recurring problem, and BMW is coming out with a replacement part.

Well, it's not good publicity to see a MINI being hauled back to the dealer, but this problem must be fixed...on my MINI, and on all others out there.

I am submitting this to warn my fellow MINI owners. Please be careful! And if this does happen, don't panic. I hear it's a simple fix. I'll find out for myself tomorrow and let everyone know. I'm just upset that my SUV had to come out of retirement! (or more accurately, being laid off)

Jason

 

Wow.. that sux big time.... I take it you just have the regular MINI, and not the S?

Rocketboy_X

 

I've heard about this a few times now......

 

You're talking about the Standard tranny in the Cooper, not the Getrag Cooper S transmission, right?

 

It's a known problem that has been solved by MINI. The linkage can simply pop loose. the MINI dealer can install the replacement part. Newer MINI's already have it fixed.

 

I just got back from the dealership after getting this problem fixed in my 5-speed Cooper. It broke on me when I was in reverse! So you'll know what's going on if it happens to you, here's what happened to mine: the gear shifter would move freely between reverse and 5th, regardless of the position of the clutch, but it wouldn't move back into neutral (or any other gear); and the whole time, the car itself stayed in reverse. The mechanic at the dealership diagnosed the problem just from my description of it and said that he's seen it before. They said they could fix it in a day (I couldn't get out to the dealership for five days, so I can't verify that), and the paperwork says they spent one hour on it. No big deal to fix, but a big problem if you're driving!

 

I would like to know something from those of you who have already posted. How many miles did you have on your mini when you experienced the gear malfunction?
And, When was your delivery date? (How long have you had the cars). I think it could be useful info not just to us Mini owners but also to compile some good stats that the site can send over to Mini-USA. More INFO, Please post a second time. Thank You Very Much.

 

FYI, it's not a problem with the transmission or clutch. It's simply the part where the shifter cable connects. I've heard of people reaching underneath and reconnecting it until they can get to the service dept.

 

Mine occurred around 1600 miles. I purchased it May 23, but I don't know how long it had been on the lot. This really is irrelevant though, since I've heard it happening around the 8000 mile range, and at the 300 mile range. It's just a mechanical linkage that can pop loose. I hear only the early builds are susceptible, and only the 5-speeds, but I cannot confirm it.

If I had one and haven't run into this problem, I would give the dealer a call and see what they say. At the very least, I'm sure they would schedule you to come in and have it looked at. Seems the least they could do.

Jason

 

Got my MINI back today. Here's what the work invoice said:

FOUND GEAR CHANGE CABLE DISCONNECTED AT TRANS (BROKEN CAP). REMOVED EXHAUST SYSTEM ALSO HEAT SHIELDS FROM FLOOR PAN. REMOVED BATTERY AND BATTERY BOX ASSEMBLY. REMOVED AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE GEAR CHANGE CABLE ASSEMBLY. ROAD TESTED TO RECHECK OPERATION OK

I talked to the service advisor, and he confirmed that the new part was installed. Sounds to me like a defect, but it is considered nothing serious (his words). It sounds like the procedure to fix it is a little more complicated than people here have suggested.

For all you early-build MINI owners, I suggest high-tailing it down to the dealer and have your gearbox checked out. The replacement is listed as a Bowden Cable, Part No. 25-11-7-515-455.

By the way, BMW cleaned my car over the weekend! I had planned on cleaning it the same day the problem arose. I was very pleased to see they took care of it for me. And it looks like they did a really good job! Betcha Chevy doesn't do that!

Hope this helps...

Jason

 

So, bad news.....it happened to me again -- two days after picking it up from the dealership after the first repair! This time, though, I was on the highway. The good news was that I was just coming up to the exit for the Mini dealership, so I managed to coast all the way to the service lane! They fixed it for me within two hours, and I was out motoring again in no time. It's worth noting that they simply reattached the shifter cable the first two times and have ordered a replacement part that will be installed on Wednesday. So if your linkage fails, you may want to ask them to replace the cable altogether rather than just reconnecting it.

To answer mini-g.'s question, my Mini was built on February 1, delivered on April 15, and picked up on April 19. I have about 4,250 miles on it now, and both linkage failures occurred around the end of June/beginning of July, at about 4,100 miles or so.

 

Hey, look at it this way.. if it happens one more time, you can report it under the "Lemon Law" and get a new ride for free!

 

My shift linkage broke down on July 4th. My MINI went in for repairs the same day and as of today, July 11th, my local MINI service department has not received the parts to fix it.
It is very dangerous when this happens. You can find more info on the MINI2 "Faults and Fixes" forum about this "very common" problem on MINIs.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...;threadid=8954

Good luck!

 

Just an FYI to this thread - I spoke to my Mini rep today about some parts we will start to distribute througout the US and we discussed the shift linkage failures. It is such an easy fix that anyone can do a temporary fix on the road - I'll see if I can post pictures soon on the specifics for a temp fix only.

Anyhoo - he said that only cars with a mid-April 02 build date have the old linkage and there is a very small amount of cars that have this issue - albiet that many people post their problems rather than no problems and it becomes magnified.

There is no recall because of this.

Just food for thought for anyone who may have any fears of this happening to them with their new Cooper.

-Peter/Rspeed

 

Does anyone have a list of Vin numbers, production dates, etc. to know if your car might be effected by this problem or if it was manufactured after the problem was discovered and (presumably) corrected? Thanks.

 

Blue Potatoe and all MINI members of this forum!

I got back my MINI from the dealer today, after 8 days waiting for the replacement shift linkage cable.
Although it may be an easy temporary fix, I think that it is very dangerous, because when the linkage cable disconects, you may be either stuck on a certain gear, or just completely in neutral. If this happens to you at a busy freeway or, like it happened to me, at a busy intersection, things could get very dangerous.
I advice all of you who bought your MINIs before July 2002, to go ASAP to your MINI service department and have them check and/or replace the linkage cable if necessary before you get stranded on the road away from home.

By the way, from what I've read on other forums and my own experience, it seems that MINI dealers in USA do not have a loaner program. Therefore, you may only get reimbursed by MINIUSA if you rent a car.

Good luck!

 

Spoke with the Service Manager of Mini San Francisco today. Unfortunately, according to my VIN number, my car is part of this recall. (His word, not mine). Also bad news-he said it takes 3 parts to fix this problem and only 2 are currently available. He suggested I call back once per week to see when the part is in. Great!

 

Just to update my earlier post, after both the dealer and MINIUSA denied my car was one affected with the linkage problem, they've know admitted my car is one with the potential problem. Been to the dealer once but, they didn't have the part. Tried another dealer who did not want to help me because I didn't buy the car there. They finally relented but, told me it would be a month wait for the part. I have been trying for days to get some response from MINIUSA without success. Really don't feel comfortable driving the car, knowing that at anytime, any place, I may have one gear, or worse yet, may be in neutral and have nothing. I feel MINIUSA is treating this problem far too lightly. Worse of all, I cannot get any of their reps on the phone, email only. It's very frustrating. Any suggestions, phone numbers for MINI,etc.? Thanks.

 

With the problems being reported all around, transmission linkage problems, seat back noise, etc. etc., I find myself thankful I'm still awaiting delivery.
I'm hoping a good percentage of these issues ranging in severity from safety issues to annoyances will be corrected during assembly as they are recognized. My 'MINI spirit' would be tested if I had to bring the "new baby" back to the dealership weekly with yet another troubleshooting adventure !


_________________
Wandersen

 

I've now spoken several times to MINI USA and two differenct dealers and am convinced that the scoop is: The earlier production cars (through about mid-April 2002 and they have a list of VIN numbers, mine is included- AAAAARRRRGGGHHH)
used a plastic (what were they thinking) coupler/bracket to connect the shift cable. It can crack/break at any time, leaving you in the gear you are at when the break occures. This is it. There's nothing about shift cable length etc, etc, Just call MINI USA with your VIN number, see if you're included and if so make an appointment to have the bracket replaced and hope it doesn't break in the mean time. I have an appointment to have mine fixed this week. I'll update my post with the results. They swear it will take less than one hour and I'll be motoring.

 

ops:

On July 19, MINIQUEEN (motoring associate in NY) gave the following info regarding the shift cable issue on Roadfly:

VIN RANGE TC30066-34812 are candidates for trouble

PARTS NEEDED:
Shift Cable Clip #25 117 525 816
Wire Harness Clip #61 13 6 915 981
Wire Tie #61 13 0 148 794

So check to see if you're in the VIN range, and if so, put in your request for the replacement parts!

Good luck & Cheers!
Clover

 

Just to update my last post, took the car in today for the shift linkage problem. It was done in about an hour. They even washed the car, gassed it up and treated the tires with armor-all. The parts listed were a safety cable, cable strap and cable clip. I was also told that the only other problems that have been reported on Minis were in the EARLIEST production cars where some had some windshield problems and some had seat adjustment problems and nothin' else. Haven't experienced any of those problems and I got the linkage fixed before I experienced any trouble. I would strongly suggest you do the same. Anywho, everything is now A OK and back on the road.

 

This thread has been quit for some time...
Does anybody else have and would like to share a story or comment about the Transmission Shift Linkage Breakdown?

My MINI was satisfactorily fixed from the Transmission Shift Linkage Breakdown and have had no problems since then.

I am having lots of fun with my MINI, I love it!

Cheers! :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Any up-dates on the transmission shift linkage recall or new stories about a breakdown-fixing event?

Good luck!

MINIJC :smile:

 

I had the replacement part installed by my dealership about a week ago.

Here's a link to Grassroots Motorsports' MINI project webpage. They have a picture there of the shift linkage and some good info.