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Here's a question from a friend who has recently had her CVT software upgraded on her Cooper:
I had the 32.1 CVT reprogram done a few weeks ago, and have since noticed a small quiver in the engine on occasion. Today, while sitting at a railroad crossing, it started the very subtle quiver, and then stalled. I never had the stalling before the reprogram. Has anyone else noticed this too? Maybe I just got some bad gasoline? – Donna
If anyone else has any questions or even suggestions on topics for future posts as always feel free to email me.
<p>Althouth I don't have the CVT, I've had my cooper stall out a couple of times but only after leaving it out in the cold for a few days. Others have had stalling problems as well though, I think there are some threads in Mini2 or MCO.</p>
<p>you're not the only one!
my cvt has 32.1 and it's started to do the same lurching it did before the update. it did take almost 2 months for this to happen after having the dme updated! hopefully the next update 33 will fix this for good! i know how you feel!</p>
<p>I have a 2002 Cooper CVT (Early August 2002 build) with 5,600 troublefree miles and ZERO problems. I got the 32.1 update just about 2 months ago and haven't had any issues to report. the near stall on a cold engine, the rough idle quality with our without the A/C on, the lurching while stopped at traffic lights and the generally jerky feeling below 10 MPH have all dissapeared. The car is now smooth as butter, accelerates strongly from the get go and just drives fantastic all around. Also the cold engine “shick” when going from Park to Drive also is gone.</p>
<p>Most CVT owners with chrinic problems seem to be located among the group that owns early 2003 production Cooper CVT models. Remember that several cars built between September and October 2002 came with the wrong viscosity oil in the tranny from factory and this indeed can have serious and long lasting effects in the transmission. If your CVT was part of the oil recall and the tranny oil was flushed after several thousand miles of driving with the incorrect factory oil, your transmission may already be damaged and the problems might well be beyond the scope of the 32.1 or 33.1 software upgrades.</p>
<p>My car is an early August 2002 build and was not part of the infamous transmission oil recall, hence my problems have been solved with the 32.1 software update.</p>
<p>It would be useful to post whether your Cooper CVT is a 2003, actual build date, mileage, whether it was part of the CVT recall or not, mileage when the first problem occurred and fix attempts by the MINI servicing dealer.</p>
<p>I have had issues with my manual Cooper as well (early 3/02 build). I recently got it upgraded to the latest software and while it fixed the stalling problem I have a new, much small issue that's come up. Every so oftern upon very initial accerlation the car's RPMs will quickly jump down 100 at about the 1500 mark. It's very subtle and doesn't happen often but it's definately there. I think I'll have them check it out when I'm in for my 2nd service.</p>
<p>I feel terrible that Donna's having a problem, since I was the one who reported such good results from the upgrade! I haven't had any of the problems Frank described above SINCE doing the 32.1 upgrade, but that doesn't mean it won't yet happen. Now that I'm “commuting” between the near west and the NorShore, I'll be putting on enough miles again to tell you later if anything develops over time. The only side effect I've noticed is that my service interval settings were reset during the service, and I'm not adding up to 10K+ anymore for the oil change (was 300 miles “ahead” thanks to mostly thoughtful driving style).</p>
<p>So far, 32.1 has been good on my September 2003 CVT and I was involved in the transmission fluid service bulletin. Fortunately no stalling or near stalling problems to this point and I did have a couple of stalling incidents at the beginning. I still get a little minor jerking at very low speed stop and go traffic but better than before. I have noticed that as the engine and transmission warm up (after the car has been running a while and not necessarily cold weather)it runs better and smoother. Sorry to hear you are having problems Donna. Maybe the dealer needs to reload the update. I had my door locks reprogrammed and the change lasted one day before they went back to the default. Strange but true.</p>
<p>Hi Victoria! Don't feel bad, it has only stalled once, and maybe I am being a nervous Nelly! Certainly not your fault, nor do I blame you.
I have an April 02 build, and had the herky-jerky, and the drop in rpm's, but not stalling prior to 32.1.
Now the jerkiness is gone, but I feel a flutter that does not reflect on the tach. I feel it with my foot on the brake when sitting in traffic. And then I had the stall after a long sit in traffic waiting for a train to pass.
I have topped of the tank just in case it was bad gass, and will keep you all posted. I have also put a call in to the dealer to see what they know.
Frank, thank you for the insight. I have actually been pretty trouble free, was not included in the tranny issues, was not included in the dark coolant issue, etc. And, prior to this, did not experience the stalling that others had. I am at 8,800 miles, and just had the upgrade 4 weeks ago.
I held out for 32.1, since it seemed prior fixes were not working. So that was the first dealer attempt at fixing the jerkiness, and that seems to have worked. I was just surprised by the stalling, and am wondering if it could be related to the 32.1.
Thank you!</p>
<p>donna.
i have the same issues that you are having! it's got the wierdness when stopped with the foot on the brake! i have 32.1 installed.
mine is a august 2002 build.
let me know if you find anything out! thanks!</p>
<p>I had an unspecified (they wouldn't tell me which one, but implied it was newer that 32.1) upgrade installed and the car is still more jerky that I would like, but so far has not fluttered or stalled.</p>
<p>I had the upgrade about two months ago and it resolved almost all the typical problems everyone was reporting. I do still have the flutter occasionally, but it isn't nearly as pronounced as it was pre-upgrade.</p>
<p>I am debating between a manual and a CVT Mini Cooper.</p>
<p>I think with all of my driving I would like the ease of the CVT, but I have heard about so many problems it makes me nervous.</p>
<p>I will be 1 1/2 hours away from a Mini dealership, also. What do you think? Since this is April, 2004, are more of the bugs worked out?</p>
<p>Any input will be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I think the current CVT software fixes most of the issues that were prevalent last year. </p>
<p>Personally my choice would always be for the manual due to the interaction and subsequent enjoyment that you get from driving it – especially with the new Getrag 5-speed that will be available on the Cooper from September on (2005 model year). However the CVT isn't a bad choice.</p>
<p>I have bought my Mini Cooper on June 2002 and suffering from stalling on summer time only. The car is perfect on winter but stalls as soon as I release me foot off the brake pedal especially on heavy traffic.</p>
<p>BMW agent could not fix this fault and my warrenty expired today, did many software upgrades and changed the whole CVT once.</p>