It looks like that Engine Wiring Harness Campaign we reported on last week has been officially announced by MINIUSA. This news comes directly from the fine folks at MINIUSA HQ:
MINI is committed to delivering the ultimate in product satisfaction to you, our customer.
Quality monitoring has revealed that in some Cooper S Automatic vehicles, the engine wiring harness may not be routed correctly. As a result, the cable sheathing and line insulation may be chaffed while driving.
If this happens, it is possible that the engine will switch to the emergency,
failsafe mode (with reduced power output) or that vehicle cannot be restarted after
it has been switched off.Letters will be sent to owners of affected 2005 MCS Automatics in the coming weeks.
Should you have any questions about this matter, please contact your Authorized MINI dealer. As always, if you need our assistance you may email us at MINI.Assistance@askminiusa.com or by telephone at 1.866.ASK.MINI.
<p>Curious.
I thought the “limp mode” failures of some MCSa were due to software issues.</p>
<p>Of concern is that a relatively small change – the auto transmission in the MCSa – has created a number of issues in both the engine software AND now the wiring too. Just imagine how many issues will occur when the ’07 comes out, with new bodywork, new engine, new interior … :(</p>
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<p>Just imagine how many issues will occur when the ’07 comes out, with new bodywork, new engine, new interior … :(</p>
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<p>Something to consider about that; MINI/BMW probably has almost all tehcnical resources on the R56 with little man-power devoted to R53 development. Therefore I’d venture that the best and the brightest are currently testing the R56 everyway from Sunday to make sure that it’s a smooth launch. That’s not to say there won’t be little issues in the future. But you can bet that BMW is doing everything they can do reduce potential issues.</p>
<p>I hope you’re right Gabe … but I worry! Ask my work colleagues ;)</p>
<p>If MINI is so dedicated to customer satisfaction why they have not fix the rough idle that happens to my car so often. My SA told me there is no fix yet, but they are working but timeframe is uncertain. Are we sure VW is the one making this car instead BMW.</p>
<p>Consumer reports recommends never buying the first model year of any car because all the gremlins don’t get chased out until it has been around a while. The second model year is typically better for that reason alone. Another great reason to buy an ’05.</p>
<p>I don’t think that I need to talk about all the fixes that have been around since it was first introduced. Starting with the windscreen and most recently the “fonzie fix” for the window.</p>
<p>BTW the XBOX MINI that was circulating amongst the dealerships a few years back had a stress crack on the windshield right by the A pillar starting at the bottom. Interesting.</p>
<p>We are awaiting delivery on our 05 MCSa. IS this something that they will fix pre-delivery?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>-jac</p>
<p>[’05 MCSa delivered Jan. ’05] : Just got 10k service done, and the following 3 campaigns were performed.</p>
<p>SIM#12-03-05 LBL CODE 19 DME PROGRAM ON R5
-supposed to cure “limp” mode that Ian referenced</p>
<p>SIM# 12-07-05 LBL CODE 21 COOPER S ENG HARNESS
-checked harness wiring for chaffed wiring
-inspected and rerouted wiring to not rub against transmission mount</p>
<p>SIM# 17-01-05 LBL CODE 20 COOLANT HOSE
-found gear selector linkage rubbing against coolant hose when in drive position. Coolant hose defective/inop.
-“R/I Front end of vehicle to drain coolant. R/I air duct. R/R coolant hose as per bulletin 17-01-05. Filled coolant. Bleed system. Road tested vehicle. All ok.”</p>
<p>I also had a problem with the bonnet release cable on the passenger side which was considered “stretched/defective/inop” and replaced it. The problem surfaced when i went to open the bonnet and the driver’s side latch released but the pass side didn’t. Then i couldn’t shut the bonnet and it was stuck like that until my scheduled appointment. Fortunately the bonnet went back into original state once they fixed it.</p>
<p>Hope this info is helpful… unfortunately I cannot give any more insight than what i’ve already stated.</p>
<p>-cheers!</p>
<p>Just had the wiring harness replaced in my car. There were also 2 other recalls on the car–one for a coolant hose and the other for a software upgrade. I’m not sure if the wiring chaffing or software caused the “limp mode”/emergency/failsafe switch–either way it was troubling to have it happen while accelerating onto the freeway. Works fine now so that is one less demon to chase as someone said.</p>
Sorry to Bust everyones bubble but I have a MCSa 2006 and I drove it for 130 miles (3days old) my EML light with check engine light came on and lost all engine power. I had it roadside assistance
Tow it to the local BMW/MINI service center. the they told me Don’t worry its a common problem. all I need is a software upgrade we’ll take care of it right away. that they seen Minis come out of the dealers with 0 miles and a this problem having to customers down the block. he said “all you need is a software upgrade.”
I got my car back after waiting 1.5 hours and it drove fine.
The next day at about 180 miles(4 days old) my fiance test drove the mini, we were going to a new Costco down the block. When she went to pull into the parking space. the throttle accelerated full. and the mini hopped the curb and hit a tree. THANK GOD THAT THERE WASN’T A CHILD WALKING INBETWEEN THE CAR AND THE TREE.
So I had the MCS only 180 miles and its been in the shop for 2 months now. the whole front needs to be replaced and the engine block is cracked. 14,000.00 of damages.
At this point I don’t want this particular MCS I want a new one I feel unsafe driving this car.
2 months and no loaner and my insurance might go up with a claim that technically not my fault.
anyone have the same problem where the trottle gets stuck or acceletrates for no reason?