Engine Power Loss

[scooter1rad]

My CVT Mini was less than 1 week old and had under 250 miles on it when the engine suddenly lost power. The tach showed the engine would not go above 1500 rpm (apparently a protective feature of the car). This happened on two separate occasions. The first time it happened I was only about a mile from my house so I limped the car home. The second time it happened I switched into manual mode and this seemed to allow the car to rev higher and attain more speed so I was able to get it home again, but the car was surging and not shifting properly. I contacted service and I had the car taken to BMW of Darien Connecticut. They did a diagnostic on the car and said there was nothing wrong.

Now, I have reviewed the message posts on the Mini web site and apparently other CVT owners have experienced the same problem and it was related to the throttle actuator and wiring harness. I pointed this out to the mechanic at the shop, but they indicated that they had never heard of this problem. They test drove the car and said it was fine.

If the problem happens again, I would like to make sure that it gets corrected. This is a real safety issue and I'm afraid I could get rear-ended. How the heck can I get the service people to fix the problem if they are not even familiar with issues like this? What is my next means of recourse should they again fail to correct the problem (assuming that it does happen again). Also- is it safe to drive the car when this happens and how can we notify MINI that this seems to be a recurrent problem?

[cooper4us]

Hi Scooter:

There are several CVT related discussion threads here in MINI2.COM. I would like to suggest for you to perform a search using the key word "CVT" to bring these topics back up.

I also own a 2002 MINI Cooper CVT (Early August 2002 build) with about 5,600 troublefree miles. I had some controlling software related issues from the get go, but these issues were promptly solved a couple of months ago when the car received software update 32.1. We are very happy and satisfied with our Cooper CVT and highly recommend it.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them in the appropiate discussions or feel free to send me a private message.

One question for you: What's the build date (Located on the factory plaque affixed to the lower driver's side door jamb) and current mileage?

Again, Welcome to MINI2.com.

[scooter1rad]

Thanks Cooper4us for the information regarding the CVT discussions. The Mini web sites have been a great source of information. At least I know other people have had similar problems and that they can often be resolved (although not necessarily quickly).

The build date for my car was March 03. I am not sure what version DME I have on the car. The car now has 300 miles on it. I drove it home from service today and I had no problems, but of course I am concerned that it will happen again. And if it happens on I-95 I could be in trouble!

The BMW/MINI service people were nice, but they did not seem to recognize my problem. If I can find information regarding this problem in MINI forums, why hasn't Mini put the word out to their service people? The car is fun to drive, but I need to have a car that I can depend on too.

Scooter1rad

[myminirocks]

Hey Scooter -

I'm one of the ones who discussed my isses with loss of power on the miniusa site...my problem was indeed the wiring harness.

I am surprised that your mechanic (assuming it is a MINI mechanic) did not know about this problem, only because it was the MINI mechanic who told me that this was an issue that had occurred in about five or six other MINIs at least. While this may not be the problem with your car (there are other reasons for the loss of power possible), perhaps you can ask your mechanic to telephone the mechanics at Princeton MINI (my dealership) to ask them about it, since they've had experience with it. Then they will know what to check for.

Also, not sure if you tried this: sometimes the loss of power thing happens sort of at random (I know, weird). You can identify whether or not it is just a fluke or if there really is some sort of problem (assuming a check engine light comes on while this loss of power is happening...otherwise don't try this). There is a tiny button just underneath the handbrake. First, turn off your car. Then turn on the car just so the battery/lights are on, but not the engine. Press that little button for approximately five seconds. This is supposed to reset the engine computer. Then restart your engine, and drive the car for three to five miles. By that point, the engine lights should reset themselves and go off if there is really no problem, but if there is a problem, then the lights will not go off.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

[cooper4us]

There appears to be a systematic problem of communication between MINIUSA and its dealership network. Often, owners learn about problems and solutions in here first even before the dealer service depts come into the picture.

I don't want to sound too negative, but your car indeed has some sort of problem. It could range from a defective version of the controlling software all the way to issues with some vehicle hardware components.

If I were you, I would put a call to MINIUSA tomorrow morning and have them open up a file to follow up on your case. I am kind of dissapointed that someone with such new recent build Cooper CVTs are still experiencing these kind of issues. I was under the impression that MINI had already tackled all of these annoyances several months ago, but here we go again.

Do you have another MINI dealer in "close" proximity? I am fortunate to live in South Florida, the official USA "MINI Mecca" as I live in close proximity to 5 MINI dealerships, all within a few miles from each other.

By calling MINIUSA you will be indirectly putting pressure on your selling MINI dealership to step up to the plate and address you car's issues. If you don't feel safe (Not knowing what caused the stalling is certainly bothersome on a brand new car with less than 400 miles) tell them so as well.

We would be very interested to see what the dealer finds out after spending some time with the car.

Could you tell us, what were the exact circumstances leading up to the engine stall event?

[digitalpussi]

This is very sad news indeed I have noticed in my Cooper that when I am stopped at a red light for awhile my car begins to shudder like it wants to stall I have watched the tach when it has done this and the needle bobs up and down in the same inconsistant pattern the car is idling at I wonder what the real underlining problem with the CVT in the MINI is since they all seem have the same inherent flaws in them one way or another..

[sjbartnik]

Quote:

Originally posted by myminirocks
There is a tiny button just underneath the handbrake. First, turn off your car. Then turn on the car just so the battery/lights are on, but not the engine. Press that little button for approximately five seconds. This is supposed to reset the engine computer. Then restart your engine, and drive the car for three to five miles. By that point, the engine lights should reset themselves and go off if there is really no problem, but if there is a problem, then the lights will not go off.

??
Am I missing something? The button under the handbrake is the flat tire monitor recalibrate button. It has nothing to do with resetting the engine computer or anything else of the sort. Unless there is another button I don't know about?

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by digitalpussi
This is very sad news indeed I have noticed in my Cooper that when I am stopped at a red light for awhile my car begins to shudder like it wants to stall I have watched the tach when it has done this and the needle bobs up and down in the same inconsistant pattern the car is idling at I wonder what the real underlining problem with the CVT in the MINI is since they all seem have the same inherent flaws in them one way or another..

Have you had software update 32.1 downloaded to your car's DME?

I did it 2 months ago and all my CVT related annoyances, including the lurching, completely went away! The car is smooth as butter. Check back with your dealer as I suspect you are in need of this update.

[KenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by myminirocks
There is a tiny button just underneath the handbrake. First, turn off your car. Then turn on the car just so the battery/lights are on, but not the engine. Press that little button for approximately five seconds. This is supposed to reset the engine computer.

Did your dealer tell you this?

That button is for re-setting your tyre pressure monitoring system after you adjust your tyre pressures.

[scooter1rad]

Followup-

I was away last week, but this week the car was running fine. Gas milage has been very good- mostly highway, but some city driving and I've gotten 29 mpg with the CVT.

Maybe the problem with the engine was related to the very wet weather on the days the car experienced the problem. Only time will tell.

The folks at MINI USA were very helpful.

I'll keep everyone posted.

scooter1rad

[cooper4us]

My wife tells me that today the car stalled all of a sudden while she was waiting at a red light this morning. This is the first time ever the car stalls while in idle since getting the 32.1 update. Its been very wet the last few days....

[scooter1rad]

That's very interesting about your wife. I bet the problem has something to do with water getting someplace and messing up a sensor.

Last Saturday it was raining cats and dogs and we purposely drove the car all day. That day we had no problems, so it has to be something that's intermittent.

This past week the car has been running fine. It's a great little commuter car (although I have been avoiding I 95).

Scooter1rad

[cooper4us]

The MINI is actually a great driver in I-95.

[here2help]

Quote:

There is a tiny button just underneath the handbrake. First, turn off your car. Then turn on the car just so the battery/lights are on, but not the engine. Press that little button for approximately five seconds. This is supposed to reset the engine computer. Then restart your engine, and drive the car for three to five miles. By that point, the engine lights should reset

What button are you talking about here myminirocks...This button is for the Tyre pressure control system(RDW,RDC,DDS Its called all sorts of names) But one thing is for sure and that its got nothing to do with the engine at all.
Where did you get this info from.....???
Its incorrect info.

[Veruca Salt]

I have had my cvt mini for 5 days now, and it stalled for the first time this morning. I put the car in reverse and when I took my foot off the brake it didn't move, looked at the dash and it had died. Just before that I was stopped at a traffic light and when I went to go it lurched quite a bit. Hopefully it was just a hiccup as I was assured by my dealer it had the latest software (it is so new, I hope it does!). Called the service department, they said to wait and see if it happens again and then they will schedule service. Fingers crossed I don't see it again - I thought all the cvt issues related to this had been taken care of...