North American Motoring

Mini Cooper 2014-Present: Transmission Diagnostic Guide

Issues with the transmission can be a hassle. Follow the steps below to find and cure some common issues related to the Mini Cooper and Cooper S.

By Robert Olsson - July 14, 2016
Contributors: MINIwuff, NCLE, isleofbones, GregoryK, Ryephile

This article applies to the Mini Cooper/Cooper S (2014-present).

A malfunctioning transmission ruins the pleasure of driving, if it is even possible to drive the car at all. Whether it's a matter of the transmission slipping, gears not engaging, or the car not moving at all, it's an issue that cannot be ignored. There are some relatively common issues with the transmission of the Mini Cooper and Cooper S. Fortunately, some of the issues are cheap to cure and some are also covered by the manufacturer.

Mini Cooper 2014-Present: Transmission Diagnostic Guide

Material Needed

  • Only your own senses are needed

Step 1 – Cannot shift gear lever out of “park”

Some owners having a Mini with automatic transmission have reported that after making a stop with their cars, they cannot move the gear selection lever out of the “park” position.

The reason for this strange behavior is a software issue. Your Mini indicates to the on-board computer that the vehicle is not safe to move and the computer then blocks the gear lever preventing you from driving off. To solve this issue permanently, ask your authorized dealer for a possible software update.

If you get stranded and need a quick, temporary fix, proceed as follows. With the engine off, open the driver’s door and keep it open for about five minutes. Then close the door and start the engine. Now it should be possible to move the gear lever again.

Figure 1. Is your Mini stuck in park?

Step 2 – First gear pops out

Some Mini owners with manual transmission have experienced that while accelerating in 1st gear, the shifter sometimes pops out of gear and the car goes to neutral. If the issue degrades substantially, it can cause damage to the first gear synchronizers.

To solve this issue, the shift tower has to be replaced. Some owners report that they got the shift tower replaced for free by an authorized dealer. There is supposedly a technical service bulletin issued for this issue, so ask your authorized dealer to solve this issue. If your vehicle is already out of warranty, you may have a fight on your hands to get this issue repaired for free.

Figure 2. JCW 6-speed shifter.

Step 3 – Poor accelerator pedal feel

For Mini owners with a manual transmission, some have noticed that the car feels erratic in nature, sometimes stumbling in first gear and then surging in second gear after changing up. Many people falsely attribute this to being a transmission issue, but it is actually an engine software issue. Initially, there was a calibration that softened power delivery in the lower gears to increase smoothness, and sometimes the calibration is off, resulting in the car feeling like it's fallen flat on its face, only to come around and surge after changing gears.

If you experience this issue, simply contact your authorized dealer to get the software in your car updated.

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