[ScooterMan]

Anyone with a CVT had the dreaded EP show up on the digital readout under the speedometer? If so, what was the problem and what was the fix. Mine just came on and the thing shifts terribly.

[Ozone]

The EP indicator came up for me this past weekend (05/04/03). Although, I think mine had something to do with an electrical and sensor problem because the transmission seemed to drive fine despite the error code. Sounds like you really might have a transmission problem. Your post is old, so you've probably already taken it in. What did the find?

[ScooterMan]

Go to the MINI Lounge as there is quite some talk on several threads about this problem. Mine has yet to be fixed.

[cooper4us]

No problems here in 7,000+ troublefree miles.

[intrigue182]

My 2003 MINI w/CVT is being built on May 16, 2003 -- you guys are getting me worried with all these CVT faults. What exactly does it mean when the "EP" light comes on? What does that stand for?

Also, which software version is in your MINI?

Good luck with your diagnosis -- please post what the outcome is, and what it took to fix the EP problem!

Thanks,

Joe

[rainbowdreamer]

Intrigue182:

My dealer says my new MINI will be built on the 15th or 16th May and it also is a CVT but RHD.

Small world?

[cooper4us]

Your new MINIs will come with version 32.2 or 33 of the calibration software.

Intrigue: call MINIUSA with your production number for more details.

[intrigue182]

Thanks for the tip, coopers4us! I hope whatever version software my MINI gets will take care of all the previous CVT issues.

I test drove a CVT MINI in September 2002, and it was fine, but when coasting in traffic (foot lightly on gas pedal) there was a strange "back and forth" sensation in the car. For the test drive I took in April 2003, the MINI did not demonstrate this "back and forth" feeling at all, so they must have improved something...

I'll call and find out what version they say it will have.

Rock On,

-Joe

[here2help]

If the EP (Emergency Program) light is on the cluster it will need to be taken to youre dealership who will need to carry out some tests on the CVT Transmission.
The EP Only allows certain forwad gears to be selected even though the lever can be moved to all the gears via the selector lever..
I think from memory it is like a BMW in that it starts off in 2nd gear and only uses 2nd and 3rd, also reverse..
It sounds like a gearbox control unit fault which may need re-coding and/or the clutch values/shift patterns re learning.And then a full drive cycle carrying out to then re adapt the gearbox.

Hope this info helps...?
Cheers

[Sejanus]

I started my car today and got both the Service Engine Soon light and the EP warning. I turned the car off and back on again (hey, it works with computers!) and this time all I got was the Service Engine light. Car drove fine, but since I work near the dealership I took it in and they ran a quick check for me. They tell me there is indeed a transmission problem, but that they have to call the tech line to find out what that problem is. Since this was 4pm pst on a Friday the tech line was closed until Monday. They cleared the Service light and I drove home with no problems. Anyone had a similar experience? I know some folks have had the EP light come on and stay on for no reason, but that doesn't seem to be my situation. They're going to call me Monday and I'll post whatever I find out.

[cooper4us]

I have never gotten the EP light before. One thing I do know is that if the light does not stay solid on, there will not be any error codes stored in memory. My guess is that their recommendation will be to replace your transmission or something, but I personally doubt you have any problem. When a tech hooks up your car, he should know right away if there is a code stored and what it means. I am not buying into their diagnostic of calling the tech line and wait for Monday....?

[Sejanus]

The EP light went away, but the Service Engine light stayed on. The impression I got was that there was a code stored. They just didn't know what it was. Why they don't know is certainly a somewhat troubling question.

[cooper4us]

Exactly. Did the car drive erratically while the "Check Engine" light stayed on? This symptom could be a number of things ranging from a faulty oxygen sensor to a problem in the catalytic converter or even gas quality. Speaking of fuel, have you been using the same brand all along or you switch brands/stations quite frequently? I have heard about problems caused by 'reformulated' summer gasolines and the MINI seems to be pretty sensitive to varying fuel quality as clearly stated in the Owner's manual. If you haven't yet, I think it would be a good idea to try a different brand of fuel to see if the problem persists.

But I agree with you that the dealer should be able to interpret any stored fault codes in memory right away. Can you tak it to another dealer for a second look?

[Sejanus]

No actual performance problems at all so I doubt its the gas. Fuel type has been pretty consistent anyway. Pretty much only Chevron or Shell since I got the car.

To be fair to the dealer they saw me at the last moment on a Friday afternoon primarily to just check and see if it was a problem with the warning light or sensors. I suspect these days, especially when you are dealing with a new model and relatively new technology like a MINI CVT there are a lot of phone calls back to the main office going on to figure things out. They only had my car for less than 30 minutes so I'm willing to cut them some slack. The nearest alternative is an hour away anyway.

[Sejanus]

Dealer took another look at the MINI. Since they had cleared the codes out of the computer they couldn't find anything wrong with the transmission so hopefully that ends that problem. They did reprogram the CVT again both to be sure and for the traditional bucking when stopped problem.

I had expereinced one new problem on Monday. When stopped at a light the engine started surging slightly (you could see the needle wavering on the tachometer). This was different from the bucking issue and I had never seen/felt it do this before. When I told the dealer they said they'd had several other such reports since the weather had gotten hot (it was 100 degrees+) and had reported it to MINI who were investigating it. It did it twice in my case, but hasn't done it again since, of course it has cooled down some since.