[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by intrigue182
Interestingly, (and I think this has to do with new programming) when I switch on the Automatic Air Conditioning, I notice that the idle speed *slowly* creeps higher by anywhere from 100 to 300 RPM. I suppose this is to offset the load of the A/C compressor on the car's engine, and to keep idle from falling so far as to create an impending stall. If this is a matter of new programming -- all I can say is: good job!

I've noticed something similar with mine recently, but I have manual air.

[cooper4us]

This is the new RPM and engine idle behavior introduced by software update 32.1 and now continued by update 33.2. Increasing the RPM's to a little over 1K when the A/C is turned on, ensures the smoothest engine idle quality possible.

Pre-32.1, the idle quality in my CVT with the A/C on was HORRIBLE...the whole car began to cough and shake (Standing still on a traffic light) and the steering wheel vibrated like crazy. These problems were solved for good with 32.1 and newer version of the software.

[ARitz]

Do you think it would be possible to reprogram or upgrade the chip associated to the CVT, kinda like the chips related with fuel management etc.? Perhaps switch the rpm at which the CVT "shifts".

I dont know, just pondering for now.

-Andrew

[cooper4us]

Ask the folks at Diamond Racing. They are currently developing mods for the Cooper CVT and have a fleet of 2 Cooper CVTs for their testing.

[intrigue182]

Not sure if this is related to the CVT or some other part of the MINI, but it's odd:

Whenever I turn the car off, and the engine stops (of course), there is a "power down" (winding down) sound for about 4 seconds. The sound is somewhat like an electric motor winding down. Like a generator would sound if the power was cut.

Is this normal? If this were a "any old" car, I would attribute such a sound to the alternator (possibly a failing alternator). But in a MINI with CVT, it may be something quite different, and quite normal. Hope so. Anyone hear what I've described when you turn off your MINI CVT? Do I have something to worry about?

Thanks,

Joe

[nonsequitur]

I'll put some other notes on our new programming on the thread dedicated to the 33.x version of the MINI software.

CVT-specific driving comments are more like questions:

1.
Do you notice that the new software "holds a 'gear'" better than the previous versions? I warmed all the car's components today, then blasted around my little test road segment at high rpm. The car did not "shift" on its own - unless I touched 6000rpm (upshift) or dropped to [about] 1600rpm (downshift). In between those target engine speeds, the gear was held - no errors. I wasn't able to try throttle-past-detent, but I'll assume it "kicks down" to a lower gear. Has anyone noticed changes between the versions on this point?

2.
Throttle response in Steptronic 3, 4, and 5 is better (I think). Didn't check the other virtual gear positions. Try this: pick a gear, steady throttle and speed. Now quickly apply throttle, or drop throttle. The momentary lag is nearly gone; weight transfer is more dramatic than the previous versions. I wasn't able to try throttle-past-detent, but I'll assume it "kicks down" to a lower gear. What do you think?

[cooper4us]

Same observations here John. Plus I think that the car has better MPG fuel usage now and the reverse gear engages and feels so much smoother than before.

If the 33.2 holds I think this is the best software update fix yet from MINI.

[nonsequitur]

Oh! Forgot the Drive to Reverse clunk which was the primary reason for going into the shop. Thanks, cooper4us. I need to check mileage since I was focused on the other items.

[PigLick]

Quote:

Originally posted by intrigue182
Not sure if this is related to the CVT or some other part of the MINI, but it's odd:

Whenever I turn the car off, and the engine stops (of course), there is a "power down" (winding down) sound for about 4 seconds. The sound is somewhat like an electric motor winding down. Like a generator would sound if the power was cut.

Is this normal? If this were a "any old" car, I would attribute such a sound to the alternator (possibly a failing alternator). But in a MINI with CVT, it may be something quite different, and quite normal. Hope so. Anyone hear what I've described when you turn off your MINI CVT? Do I have something to worry about?

Thanks,

Joe

Yah, I've heard that sound too. I don't know what it is for sure, but I figure it's due to any one of a number of fans, pumps, or motors present in the MINI. Power steering has a motor/pump, CD has a motor, headlights (on some, or all...hmm, not sure) are self-levelled every time you start your car, which means they probably "de-level" everytime you turn it off, not to mention things like the PS fan and other fans. I guess more input from others would be nice just to ensure we aren't the only two with this problem, but I'm completely comfortable with the sound, and I really doubt it's anything to worry about.

PigLick

[ScooterMan]

My does it too.

What? Dunno. Maybe headlamps dropping? Maybe fan?

[intrigue182]

I believe I figured out what the "winding down" noise is when I turn off my CVT Cooper: The radiator fan. (I don't have self-leveling xenon headlights).

Here's why I've come to this conclusion: #1 It doesn't happen every time I shut off the car, #2: I verified this in this way -- when I'm about to park the car and shut it off, sometimes it's obvious that the radiator fan has kicked on -- it's a loud, strong fan, which is good -- it's doing it's job. OK, so: shut the car off, and of course the engine shuts off, but also the radiator fan shuts off -- but it takes a few seconds to stop spinning (it must spin at a very high RPM). True, I could always open the bonnet to confirm it's the radiator fan that's running...but that's too easy. :-)

Now, wait a second or two or four...and put the key to the "1" position (accesories "ON"). Everthing is powered up (radio, lights, etc.) aside from the engine, including the radiator fan -- which continues to run. I'm surprised it doesn't continue to run no matter what -- why must the key be in the accesories position for it to keep running after the engine is turned off?

The assumption is that the radiator fan is lumped in to the "accessory" wiring, and will only run if the car is on and the engine is running, or if the car WAS on, engine was hot, fan was running, and key was turned to accessory after engine was turned off. Make sense?

Still though, I'm confused as to why the radiator fan would not just continue to run after the car was turned off and the key was taken out of the ignition. Other cars fans still run to cool the engine long after the car has been stopped/parked and turned off.

Sorry to muck up the CVT thread with this -- but hey, I do own a CVT Mini :-)

Fifth day of ownership, and I have no complaints, just lots of fun and interesting observations. Every car has idiosyncrasies, but MINI has charisma!

Rock on,

Joe

[n3nyongmini]

there may be a slower fan speed for when the car is "off"...

Oh, and drove in Steptronic for the first time today (intentionally - I did on a test drive as well, but I was way too distracted). Alot more pick up to +/- 4k than in "D" - I'm still in the "break in" so I didn't unwind it to see where it went, but I'm impressed.

It shifts alot faster than most people... Although, I would have thought that "up" shifts would've been "forward" and vice versa, not as currently configured; I keep getting my "ups" and "downs" crossed.

I think there's alot to be learned here.

[ScooterMan]

Derek says, "I think there's alot to be learned here."

Uh, duhh. First really insightful thing someone has said about the CVT. I think it's a heckava tranny, we just need to know how to optimize it.

Thanks, Derek.

[intrigue182]

I'm known for my long-winded posts, heh, I'll keep this one short and sweet:

Took delivery of my 2003 MINI CVT (May 14 build) last Saturday. Excellent so far...love it. Question: When I switch it over to SD mode, the revs climb to 3000 and stay there. I could have sworn that in the two MINI's I test drove (both being late 2002 builds), the counter climbed to 4000 and kept it there when I switched to SD.

What's the deal, did they program it to not rev as high in SD anymore? I believe my MINI has the latest software installed, whatever that is...

-Joe

[nonsequitur]

We think the algorithm puts revs 14-20% higher in SD than in D ... so it depends where you are starting out.

Idle to 1600rpm: All modes are the same (Crawler function). To test this, idle around a parking lot to see if these numbers seem correct.

1600 to "redline": 6000rpm is the computer-limited redline for each mode, but adjustments are made in the highest part of the torque band in SD, and for smooth comfort (lower rpm) in D. I haven't tried this under CD#33.2 software yet.

[ARitz]

I've got another thing for you guys to test. It seems like under hard acceleration(in SD) if you lift your foot off and then press it back to the same point or further, the engine seems to rev freer...It may just be my mind tricking me, but it really seems more powerful after that.

Intrigue, what part of the jersey shore are you in? I live on long beach island for most of the summer.

-Andrew

[nonsequitur]

A concept that we've not brought into the thread yet is "Target Speed" established in the EMS2000. I don't know how this works yet, but I do know it is how the computer accelerates the car. You may be seeing it established, and re-established, in the exercise you doing.

In concept, the computer is picking a "target speed" from a "map" of parameters, based on the throttle position you select. This is one reason why the car dosn't like to be driven with lots of throttle adjustments, you're forcing reset of the point on the map (and everything else affected by that point).

In your example, you're resetting a higher performance Target Speed, and the car responds by trying to get you there ... quicker?

I can't wait to prove this stuff out with documentation and testing.

[ARitz]

That is pretty close to the explanation i came up with. It seems to make sense. And if it is trying to get there "quicker", then does that mean it isnt living up to its potential?

We need to have a huge CVT meet , so we can all do some testing at a track, and see if our CVTs learned different techniques of driving during the break-in period.

I was wondering something while driving in step-tronic mode, wouldnt the CVT also benefit from a short-shift kit?

-Andrew

[shputz]

First time poster! Thanks for all the great information. I don't have a MINI yet, but as soon as I can convince my wife, I'm getting a Cooper CVT. I've test driven them several times, but never knew about the SD mode. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute more soon!

Shputz - MINI wannabe!

[nonsequitur]

I really like the [huge] Cooper CVT Meet idea. Maybe late in the summer or early fall, after we've made more progress understanding this device?

We could also draw together regionally as part of the regular events being organized now. As an example, there are several track days during this summer in the Pacific Northwest where we could meet with several cars.