1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: I'm one pissed mini owner!!!

You need a battery, standing voltage should be at least 12.6.....

Also running the car for 20 min is not enough to charge a battery up fully, it just puts a surface charge on it.

 

Here's a resource every MINI person should have in their 'Favorites' MINI folder.
soopercooperinfo.com
You'll find an independent repair shop directory along with just about everything there is that has ever been done, tried or thought better of concerning MINI ownership.

 

I have a 2006 auto Convertible with the CVT. I had issues last October that sound similar to yours. I read multiple posts on this forum and followed some advice I found. (Thank you all by the way) I had the transmission fluid flushed and had the computer reset. It didn't cost too much and was worth a try. I got lucky and it worked. I was at about 60,000 miles. The advice also recommended to do the flush every 20,000-30,000 miles.

 

It could be, all kinds of odd things happen to MINI's with dying batteries.


As a matter of fact Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 had a dying MIN's battery in it. :lol:

 

one more tip...
after you install the battery....and you shut off the car...
listen to your car....make sure you do not hear a humming...some MINI's end up with dead batteries due to a PS pump issue...not likely an issue here..just want you to be aware of it!
Hopefully the tranny is A-ok now!! Good luck!!

 

Even if it did be sure to get that gear box flushed ASAP and do so as earlier recommended at 20 to 30K intervals.

 

Glad to hear things are working again. It is amazing how expensive stuff is to take care of on these cars though, no matter how simple they seem.

 

I was fixing to post this edited version but got interrupted so here 'tis in it's entirety except for the oily puddle comment:

Found this on another MA thread:
2002 through 2006 model year MINI Cooper (R50) (produced June 11, 2001 through Nov. 28, 2006); and
2005 through 2008 model year MINI Convertible (R52) (produced March 6, 2004 through July 31, 2008).

Read more: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper/19122-mini-settles-cvt-class-action-suit.html#ixzz2zfalyNLd
Post #7 by minidave is worth noticing.

 

In most states lemon law against the manufacturer on a used car won't win or can't even be filed. Your recourse is back to the seller.

 

I would take it to your local dealer and see what they say, if you're going to get any help from MINI USA, it will be thru the dealer. Also, they have the machine and proper fluid to do a flush. Few if any independents do....

 

Automatics have a speed sensors on them. I had a non MINI do the same thing but it was also coding, after a little research and trouble shooting I did find a bad speed sensor, $20 later verything was good to go. Hopefully it will be something as simple as a flush or sensor.

 

$170 battery?!!! OUCH. I did put a $$$ optima red-top in mine...but different reason there....
no REASON to use an OEM MINI battery.......gen2 cars SOMETIMES need to be "registered"...it is related to the auto-start/stop feature..the computer needs the info such as battery type/size to work right...but ANY battery that fits is fine for a gen1....usually no special info needed.....

 

Buy an Interstate battery. Mine has never failed me.

 

Did the new battery have any effect on the transmission issues?

 

I can't answer any of your questions about WA laws or CVT issues but it I hope you get it all sorted out somehow.

 

Maybe someone from the WA group of MINI owners here can help you out. Good luck!

 

Not sure what year you've got, as an 2006 didn't have a "sport" mode but I thought the CVT where only in the early years???

 

Any oily puddles in the garage? I'd sure have the fluid level checked and it's about time for an engine oil and filter change anyway.