So, went to my BMW of Nashville took a copy of the service bulletin with me to show the "service Manager" . Well he tried to give me some rap that it was BullSh**..so i told him anyway, and even waited until they came back completed.

The Mechanic, who by the way was really good told me they just found the new Software patch. Sharp Mechanic i shall say.

So, anyone having the problem with the SES light take it in and get the patch for your computer.

Kev

 

I had this done on my '04 MCS when MINI wasn't quite ready to release v.38. Ryephile and I had been corresponding with MINIUSA, NJ about the yo-yo problem. We had to drop our cars at the dealer for three days while our ECUs were sent out and returned. I got a free loaner during this period and, while somewaht inconvenient, the situation (ECU exchange, not the yo-yo fix) was handled very well by MINIUSA Customer Relations and my dealer.

And yes, I felt a bit like a guinea pig for the fix.

Theo

 

TUFFMINI - Has this resolved your problem?

I made an appointment to have this done, took it in and they didn't want to do it. Said it was causing other problems including putting the car into "limp home" mode. But before they told me this I heard one Service Advisor talking to the other Service Advisor saying that the software had been released only for Asia.

Can anyone tell me what the real scoop is regarding this software release? Is it really out for the U.S. market? Has it been causing any problems for anyone else?

Thanks in advance!

 

This sounds like the problem I'm having with my new MCSCa. Friday night SES light came on and went in to limp home mode. RSA came and towed it to the dealer. Sat there over the weekend (no weekend service ). Service reprogrammed her yesterday, I pick it up last night, 1/2 mile from the dealer same thing happens. She's back there now, and I have a loaner, waiting to hear from the dealer about what is going to happen.

 

6/14/05 - My dealer in Maryland advised that they have received the software fix and they are loading it into their system as we speak. If everything test ok, owners will be asked to bring their cars in. Sounds like there is a lot of misinformation being thrown around on this subject. Mini USA needs to address this once and for all, preferably at their website.

 

As long as we're envisioning an an ideal world:

- Everyone should vote
- Health care should be universal
- All children should be raised in a loving and caring environment
- All MINI performance vendors should release dyno data when they announce new products

Forgive me. I'm disgusted with my dealer right now. Waited two weeks for an appointment to have the new software installed. Before making the appointment I had quizzed the Service Advisor extensively regarding the update and whether they had tested it, whether there had been any problems, etc. and had gotten all the right answers that one would want before allowing the car to be updated. Considering I get the O2 sensor error and corresponding SES light about twice a week I was more than ready for the update.

Took my car in yesterday for the service. First I overhear them discussing among themselves, "What software update? That's only been released for the Asian market right? No? Yes? Well who does know?" Then the Service Advisor comes back around the corner and and song and dances me about how they are having all kinds of problems with the update, it causes cars to quit working, etc. and how MINI is not going to have an update out that corrects this problem until around August, perhaps later.

Crap on this. And crap on MINI of Dallas. I called Moritz MINI and discussed it with the Service Manager there. He tells me they've had no problems with it, have put it in a dozen or so cars. I made an appointment with Moritz to have the upgrade installed. If it causes me problems I'll have it downgraded.

 

I blame the miscommunication primarily on the factory. They should have addressed/acknowledged this problem publically long ago. For the American market, it should have been done at the Mini USA website. Not a confidence builder and IMHO, Mini deserves a royal kick in the a-- for handling this so poorly particulary when it impacts on a just introduced model - the MCSa. I suspect also that dealers have lost sales because people are waiting for the SES fix to be available and proved successful before purchasing. Again, a royal ding for Mini. And every owner affected should complain starting with a post at the Mini USA website. My 2 cents on that one.

Having said that, my dealer - Mini of Towson Maryland has been great. They (salesman Brad and service tech Wayne) have kept me informed on developments. I was advised today that they received the fix (disk) from Mini, downloaded it into their system, and are ready to download it in the cars. Since I live a good hour and a half away, Wayne wants to try it out on a local owner before he has me drive way up from Virginia I have a tentative service date for this coming Monday. If I don't hear from him, I assume the fix "took" and I can bring my car in.

I am also wondering why 2005 MCSa owners in particular were not notifed by Mini in writing of the problem. Not good.

 

I have my MCSCa back and so far everything is ok. I was telling the same story on two different threads, and I'm going to continue my saga on the other one. It can be found here --> https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...902#post571902

 

Mine's on all the time! all good though, when it flashes it most likely means i need to clamp the injector harness for cylinder four down.. it comes loose from time to time.. all due because of the twincharger..

 

The fix for the service engine light is in from mini. I got the fix this week from my mini dealer. I hope it works. So far so good but it has only been two days since i got the fix. It does not take long to get it so I waited. ski

 

Interestingly, ever since I had the MTH done at 125x miles, I haven't had the SES light issue like I had in the past. BTW, my MCSa was a late Feb. build.

Anyone out there with similar MTH and SES experience?

 

I just had my 2005 MCSa serviced - factory software fix installed by Mini of Towson, MD. So far, so good. If your dealer is giving you the run around on this problem and you have a 2005 MCSa, contact Wayne (service dept), Mini of Towson, MD. He knows what needs to be done. Hopefully, that SES light won't come back on until it really needs to.

 

I'm wondering if you notice any difference in the car's responsiveness or behavior since the software update? Oftentimes the ECU updates have various consequences; could you let us know after some seat time over a week or so?

 

Well, I have only had the car back one day but it was almost a 2 hour drive back home. No problems along the way and it may be my imagination but it seems as the car is running smoother overall. Hard to explain and again, it could be simply a placebo effect. Certainly nothing bad has resulted and the SES light is OFF! Time will tell but the dealer seems to think there should be no further problems.

The SES snafu dropped my Mini's satisfaction rating down to an A-. After the fix, it's back to an A+. I love this car!

Hats off to Mini of Towson, Maryland (new car sales Brad and Service Dept Wayne). They have been on top of this problem since Day 1. I hear other dealers around the country are totally in the dark and giving a lot of BS answers to 2005 MCSa owners with the same problem (and it seems like everyone is experiencing the SES light going on and off at some point).

 

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody was called by their SA to tell them there is a fix?? I don't think I will get a call, but do other dealerships? Just wondering.

 

I think you have to take it upon yourself to call them. I would do it weekly. The fix is available and your dealer should either have the disk or be receving it soon. The first step however is to make sure they (your service dept) are aware of the problem, its cause, and have taken steps to get the corresponding software patch. It seems some dealers are clueless. I blame most of the confusion on Mini. They have done a terrible job on the communications side - both with their dealers and with the public. Complain! Go the the Mini USA site and give 'em hell.

 

I just refused a "recall" on this problem so apparently everyone will be alerted to the issue & the fix at some time soon ... I will wait till there is more evidence that there are no downsides to the fix.

 

I wouldn't wait. The fix is out. It was downloaded into my 2005 MCSa weeks ago and it's been problem-free ever since. It seems to have taken care of the problem for others as well. End of story.

"Move along folks. Nothing to see here."

 

fyi, DME software V42.0 or 42.1 is out now, I believe this is the update that cures the new SES problems affecting mainly '05 MCS Autos, and even some late '04/05 MCS Manuals.