CVT Stalls upon start up...MC 2004, Oct "03 Build

[DBUSCEMI]

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

It seems lately that after starting up the ignition the car stalls.

I don't know if it is the cold?

Tell me your exeriences or fixes.

Thanks.

[rdmancuso]

I have the same build month but have never had that problem (out of curiousity what boat did you come over on?) I've had one stall that occured the second day I owned the vehicle, and none since. I would call the dealer asap and have them look at it. That's definitely not normal, under any conditions (cold, etc..) Let us know how it works out.

Quote: Originally Posted by DBUSCEMI

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

It seems lately that after starting up the ignition the car stalls.

I don't know if it is the cold?

Tell me your exeriences or fixes.

Thanks.

[MiniDi]

My MINI came in on the Tosca. How about yours?

[rdmancuso]

I was on the Jingu Maru that docked in NY on Nov 15 or 16. I'm curious if there are common problems with cars made around the same time (Oct. 03 builds).

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniDi

My MINI came in on the Tosca. How about yours?

[eldredjames]

Mine's a 9-26-03 build but it wasn't finished until a couple days after that. CVT, no stalls yet after 2000 miles. Seems to be getting smoother too, not as much yo-yo. Maybe I'm just getting used to easing my foot on the pedal in bad LA traffic.

[Dirk-Jan]

Hi,
I am from the netherlands and I have the same exact problem.
After i start the car drive for a few meters and stop. Then the engine almost stalls and won't run properly. If i put it in SD (more rpm) it will run until the engine is warm.
Have no clue and the garage either. Did you manage to fix the problem?

[Spookyfish]

Get a new software version, this will most likely cure the problem.

[CooperS4us]

Since your '04 Cooper CVT is a 10/03 build, you need to take it back to the dealer to have software version 36 downloaded to your DME computer per MINIUSA service bulletin 12-02-03. Software version CD 36 will correct the near stalling problem on a cold engine and unstable idle problem reported on the Cooper/Cooper CVT models.

Call your dealer and get it booked as soon as possible!

MINIs built prior to 11/03, need to get CD 36 updated at the dealer. Cars built since 11/03, already have 36 from the factory.

Hope this helps.

[Spookyfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us

MINIs built prior to 11/03, need to get CD 36 updated at the dealer. Cars built since 11/03, already have 36 from the factory.

Good info. Do you know anything about 36.1 or newer versions?

[eldredjames]

I wonder why my MINI dealer never called ME to have the new software installed. Another stellar example of their "Take the Money and Run" customer service motto?

[CooperS4us]

Well, MINIUSA is not handling these updates as mandatory "Recalls" rather the software updates are being handled on a "case by case" basis only. The service bulletin clearly states to only provide the update under warranty for customers that are complaining about driveability isues, so don't expect MINIUSA or your dealer to call you to bring your car in for service...ain't gonna happen. (But I do agree with you in that this should be handled as a general recall).

Due to the "adaptive" nature of the Siemens EMS2000 ECU software, some cars will develop problems sooner or later (under older versions of said software), while others perhaps, never will. In rare cases, updating to a newer version of the software can cause new problems to crop up, so if your car is running just fine, no need to fix what is not broken. The updates are only recommended when a symptom of a specific problem appears (Stalls, hesitation, lurching, bad idle, etc).

I unfortunately don't have any info on version 36.1 but I suspect that the only difference over 36 is the language of the configuration prompts (The language of the computer screen displays the tech sees at the dealer when installing the update). Version 36 was first released in the German language version and in late December '03 it was released in the English language version, which is the version both of my MINIs currently have.

[EBMCS03]

Humm I see in post 8 that there is software update for the MINI CVT stalling issue. Come to think of it I think I took my MCS in for that update but my car never actually Stalled... maybe I never let it... when it shudders during idle I usually gave it a quick blip of the throttle...

BUT now my aunt is having the low idle and stalling problem with her 2003 MINI Cooper CVT. Its out of warranty now but what are the chances of the dealer willing to do the software update? Or if not how much would it be?

any other reason for a CVT to stall at low speeds other than the software?

[Tio Barry]

If she still has the original battery that would be the first thing to check. If she buys a new battery from her dealer I would think it likely they would update the programming for free