Originally posted by WAY

Snoopy, I asked my dealer BMW Melbourne to do the cold start fix for my car today. At the end of the day, eveything else was done except the software fix. he service manager is not aware of any such fix, and BMW Melbourne is a factory owned dealer! Can you tell me where you got yours done and what is the name of your service manager? Thanks.

Way when I first mention this cold start fix to my dealer they did not know about it. They knew about the problem but not the fix. So after some firm pushing on my part that there was a fix and they should have it on their monthly update CD. They checked for me and yes there it was on edition 32.?? of the update CD.

The only other suggestion I can make is that by the way the service person spoke about it, I believe it is not labelled as “the cold start fix”. The reason I say this is when I started talking about the calibration maps in the ECE being wrong from the factory and there are a new set of maps being available to fix this problem they found the update I was talking about. So it might be just labelled as a “calibration map update” and NOT “cold start fix” update.

I must have been one of the very first MCS's to get the cold start fix at Mini of Sterling, as i've had the upgrade for quite a while. At first the problem seemed to be completely gone, but after not driving it for a while, due to being away on a vacation, the cold start issue has returned in full force. It's now just as worse as it was before, and i need to take it back to get it fixed up. Ironically, the first time i ever had the cold start problem was when i picked it up from the dealer after servicing (to fix a faulty gas cap). I too, have noticed that the shifting is a little less smooth after the update, but then again i just learned to drive manual (i'm only 17), so it might just be user error! Oh well. All in all, i love the car. Just a few minor gripes hardly worth listing. But it IS kind of embarassing trying to get my mini started in front of everyone after school! Even so, they're all so jealous :D

My dealer (Towson MINI) e-mailed me last night to say they had just installed the new software. I'm in the process of making an appointment and will keep you all abreast (or two).

you'd think that the software updates could just be downloaded from a main server that the dealers could have access too. they need to improve communications between the manufacturer and the dealers. it bothers me to hear that some dealers know about the update and others don't. from what i hear i don't think my dealer can even program cars yet for comfort opening etc. !!

Mini USA sent message late this week saying the software for the cold start and surging problems were released to dealers the previous week. Dealer expects the CD 'any day.'
I have an appt Oct 4th.

Does anybody know if Coopers and Cooper 'S' models built during August 2002 and onward, still need to have the v3.1 Software update?

We haven't had any cold start or any other issues at all but would prefer to be on the safe side. I don't have a problem setting up a dealer service visit to get the update done if need be.

Was the software update already applied at the assembly line begining in August 2002 production?

Anyone?

My MINI originally had no cold start problems, but started to develop them after a few weeks. I got the cold start fix, which worked for a time, but soon it was as bad as before... So the next time it went into the dealer i told them about it, and they said they'd remap the ECU again to make sure the cold start fix was there.... Well when i picked the car up from the dealership yeterday it was find, but then again it was fairly warm. This morning when i tried to start the car...no luck! I had to give it another couple of tries. Any ideas/suggestions??? This is really starting to aggrivate me.

Has anyone had the cold start problem fix itself? Problem appeared around 850 miles and continued until 1275 miles. Have had no starting problems since - 2250 miles at present. :confused:

According to MINIUSA, the cold start fix (Software v31) applies only to vehicles manufactured prior to July 2002. Based on this info, any MINI built on and after 7/2002, should already have the latest verison of the ECU software.

Originally posted by cooper4us
According to MINIUSA, the cold start fix (Software v31) applies only to vehicles manufactured prior to July 2002. Based on this info, any MINI built on and after 7/2002, should already have the latest verison of the ECU software.

Is this for the regular Cooper or just Cooper S? Does it help the hesitation/ bog as well? Thanks.

The software fix is suppossed to address the following issues:

- "sluggish engine response in 1st gear"
- "cold start problem"
- "engine stumbling/stalling in hot weather when coming to a stop/at idle RPMs"

It is mostly aimed at the Cooper 'S' but regular Cooper owners have also experienced similar problems.

Check with your dealer to see if your car needs to receive the ECU upgrade. Also if you are either experiencing the problem or have a build older than July 2002, should consider getting the fix downloaded in your car.

Originally posted by cooper4us
The software fix is suppossed to address the following issues:

- "sluggish engine response in 1st gear"
- "cold start problem"
- "engine stumbling/stalling in hot weather when coming to a stop/at idle RPMs"

It is mostly aimed at the Cooper 'S' but regular Cooper owners have also experienced similar problems.

Check with your dealer to see if your car needs to receive the ECU upgrade. Also if you are either experiencing the problem or have a build older than July 2002, should consider getting the fix downloaded in your car.
Thanks for the info. Mine was built in May. It has terrible hesitation in hot weather with the A/C on in 1st. gear. Hope this applies to my car. Also, I hope they can fix the creaky seats(cloth, sport type).

- "sluggish engine response in 1st gear"
- "cold start problem"
- "engine stumbling/stalling in hot weather when coming to a stop/att idle RPMs"

My MCS was built in July 2002 and it's had all three of the problems mentioned. My dealer has the software now and I'm taking it in monday to get it sorted, I hope.

Originally posted by NYCguy


My MCS was built in July 2002 and it's had all three of the problems mentioned. My dealer has the software now and I'm taking it in monday to get it sorted, I hope.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

I'm having my ECU software upgraded in two days. I have a question, though, for anyone whos has had the upgrade performed already.

Does it lessen/eliminate the "yo-yo/surging" problem that has been discussed here before? I've heard mixed reports. Some say yes, some say no, some say yes then no, finally others say no then yes.

I'm interested to hear any and all comments from those who have had the upgrade performed.

Thanks,
Christian

Has anyone heard about this upcoming ECU software update, known as CD #32????

My dealer claims this update will be available first week of November 2002.

MINIUSA has not been able to fully confirm.

Has anyone heard of this ECU software revision?

I had the upgrade done this morning. I won't get to try a cold start til tomorrow morning, but I'm happy to report that the 2nd gear hesitation that I've had since day 1 is completely gone. Car feels much smoother as well.

Lance

both east bay mini and mt view min (nor cal) receivd the software updates last friday.i'm scheduled to go in tomorrow with mt view as a "guinea pig" as i'm the first mcs to go for it. i hope mini na taught these mecahnics well enough so the process doesn't blow up and create even bigger issues...
i'll keep you informed

Mine's being done as I write this...let ya'll know.

Originally posted by kshapiro
Mine's being done as I write this...let ya'll know.

Mine's going in to Towson tomorrow morning, Ken. Please do let us know what you think of the upgrade.

Christian

Originally posted by rambo
both east bay mini and mt view min (nor cal) receivd the software updates last friday.i'm scheduled to go in tomorrow with mt view as a "guinea pig" as i'm the first mcs to go for it. i hope mini na taught these mecahnics well enough so the process doesn't blow up and create even bigger issues...
i'll keep you informed

got the car back. so far it feels there's better breathing-more throaty exhaust. butt feel says there's a more rich fuel-air mixture. first-second gear acceleration has more power, feel less need to push gas pedal for more revs to ease transition.tomorrow and the next mornings, we'll see if the cold start problem really goes away.
before,my car probably would not start "one-click" 1 out of 4 times-so it wasn't really a big irritation.4050 miles,3 months old.

....so far, not so good. Took four times to start, and then sputtered and threatened to stall for about ten seconds. Also, 2nd gear hesitation seemed to return.

I'll be bringing it back next Tuesday-the dealer was willing to take it back right away, but I'm tied up til then. They will check to see if it "took", and possibly reload it.

I'll report back soon.

I didn't have the cold start problem, but did have part-throttle surging. Had the fix done yesterday, and the surge is gone. I wasn't really aware of a hesitation off-idle, thinking it was just "different" from my previous car, but the S definitely launches more smoothly than before the fix.

Originally posted by RickB
I didn't have the cold start problem, but did have part-throttle surging. Had the fix done yesterday, and the surge is gone. I wasn't really aware of a hesitation off-idle, thinking it was just "different" from my previous car, but the S definitely launches more smoothly than before the fix.

These has been my experience exactly. Never had the cold-start, but had the yo-yo/surging. Dropped my car off at 7:30 this morning, watched the news and had coffee in the waiting area, and at 8:15 the car was done.

Drove home and...sweet relief...no more yo-yoing. At least it is greatly-minimized. If you really-really pay attention, there are some *very* minor oscilations but 99.9% cured.

It also does not seem to require as much throttle angle to get going.

Overall, I'm very happy.

Christian

The cold start "fix" didn't work for me today. It ws done yesterday, and this morning it took two tries. Not thrilled about this.

I think it would be helpful to post your MINI model (5 speed/CVT or MCS), build date (Located inside driver's door jamb) and mileage when the CD #31 software update fix was performed. A performance follow up (Noted differences after the fix is installed, etc) are also a must.;)

Originally posted by cooper4us
I think it would be helpful to post your MINI model (5 speed/CVT or MCS), build date (Located inside driver's door jamb) and mileage when the CD #31 software update fix was performed. A performance follow up (Noted differences after the fix is installed, etc) are also a must.;)

Look at my signature...it's a MCS. Also, I'm only referencing the "cold start problem"...not too much of a performance follow up needed there. Does it start on the first try? No.

Thanks, I already saw it.;)

Originally posted by rambo


got the car back. so far it feels there's better breathing-more throaty exhaust. butt feel says there's a more rich fuel-air mixture. first-second gear acceleration has more power, feel less need to push gas pedal for more revs to ease transition.tomorrow and the next mornings, we'll see if the cold start problem really goes away.
before,my car probably would not start "one-click" 1 out of 4 times-so it wasn't really a big irritation.4050 miles,3 months old.

24 hrs later and no cold start this morning,lunch and evening. feel and hear the power in the early gears.
seems like the fix works.

Well...this morning she started on the first try. Maybe I didn't hold the key over long enough yesterday...we'll see.