Ask MF: Cold Weather Starting Issues

Melis Dec 19th, 2008 Link

The issue might be a dying Mass Airflow Sensor. The Mass Airflow Sensor is on the air intake tube on the right side of the engine bay. Problem being, if its going bad, the car will just fire up the DRLs (if you have them on), and not start. No warnings lights or anything to tell you there is any sort of problem.

Try unplugging the cable set from the sensor. Then it will start. Let it idle for a 30-60 seconds and plug it back in. Your car will run fine.

I think it beats being stranded, or having to wait forever for a tow to the nearest MINI dealership. Hope this helps!

The computer will store an unplugged Mass Airflow Sensor Error. Have your car inspected at MINI.

I had this happen on my 2007 R56 MCS, after a cold monsoon raining day, had to be towed 3 hrs to the nearest MINI dealership. And then had it happen recently on my 2008 R56 MCS, after it sit for 1.5 weeks outside, but this time I knew what to do.

With my 07 they had to replace with Mass Airflow Sensor, with the 08 they just ran full diagnostics and it has been fine since.

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Melis Dec 19th, 2008 Link

On a follow up / side note. I actually had my (very early delivery date) 2007 R56 MCS replaced by MINI Corporate because of the Cold Engine Start problem, which started when I had over 14k on the car in the first year I owned it. They we’re never able to resolve it either.

So that car actually had more issues that just a dying Mass Airflow Sensor. That also explains the 2008 R56 MCS.

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Mark Smith Dec 19th, 2008 Link

What kind of fuel are you using??? If you are using anything below 91 Octane you will have cold starting issues. The ignitive properties of the lower octane fuel causes the MINI’s to have issues starting on winter mornings. My friend had this issue when she was using 89 Octane fuel and had come in for it twice (this was years ago on an ‘03 R53) and then we finally figured it out. The problem went away as soon as she switched to 93 Octane.

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iNomis Dec 19th, 2008 Link

Turns over?

If it’s literally only when and always below freezing and only on a cold engine, I would look for water in an electrical connection.

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Paul Dec 19th, 2008 Link

I just had one of the two fuel pumps replaced in my 07 R56. I don’t have paperwork in front of me at the moment, but iirc pressure in the rail was not at the normal 5 bar.

There is also a Vanos issue with some sort of internal ice build up.

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charlie Dec 20th, 2008 Link

Frozen throttle happens in the cold midwest .I have had this happen 2 times now , shut the car off and restart has worked no need to unplug the mass sensor ? short trips also could cause the condesation to build up easy . try to warm the car more or drive longer and more the motor up .

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Marty Dec 20th, 2008 Link

I have a 2007 mini and so does one of my co-workers.

Both of us have the same issues-

We live in Alberta Canada. Whenever the weather goes below about -25 C and if the car is parked outside- the car will start but it will “frog” or keep revving over and over again (im assuming it is the computer try to compensate for the engine) If this does not happen, at the very least the engine light comes on. If this is the case, the car will not go faster than 60 KM/H for a short period. Then it usually corrects itself.

The dealership has said it could be turbos icing up, or something to do with the exhaust manifold?

Not sure, I don’t know anything mechanically about cars

Marty

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nicole Dec 23rd, 2008 Link

I think this is a different issue, but there have been a few times where my ‘07 will initially turn over and then die. Like Charlie, this was due to moisture in the throttle body and the “fix” was to drive more. Usually it would stay on with with a bit of revving at first if it was re-started.

Good luck to Mark M.!

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drew Jan 27th, 2009 Link

I also own an MC S 07. I’ve had issues twice already this winter with the car not starting when it’s well below zero. However today it’s -7 outside and it’s a dud. This is my second winter with the car. Last winter I never had a problem with it starting no matter how cold it got. This year is a different story. As I live 2 hours drive from the dealership, getting it looked at will be a real adventure.

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