9 replies to this topic

[gronkjor]

Hi
My Rover Mini 1998 has been very poorly running the latest time. I have changed several sensors but with no luck. So i went to my mechanic so he could test it. He says that the problem is the ecu, and that i need a new one. He can buy one for me but for 120 pounds! Is it possible to find it cheaper somewhere?

Rasmus

[Cygnet45]

Is there another garage that might be more used to dealing with Mini ECU's?
My mechanic said the Rover ECU's are quite quirky and unusual if you don't know what to look for.

[Blatherskite]

Hi
My Rover Mini 1998 has been very poorly running the latest time. I have changed several sensors but with no luck. So i went to my mechanic so he could test it. He says that the problem is the ecu, and that i need a new one. He can buy one for me but for 120 pounds! Is it possible to find it cheaper somewhere?

Rasmus

Can you describe the problems? Reading the threads for a whil suggests that it is almost always a sensor fault, not the ECU - we might be able to save you some money!

[gronkjor]

Hi
My Rover Mini 1998 has been very poorly running the latest time. I have changed several sensors but with no luck. So i went to my mechanic so he could test it. He says that the problem is the ecu, and that i need a new one. He can buy one for me but for 120 pounds! Is it possible to find it cheaper somewhere?

Rasmus

Can you describe the problems? Reading the threads for a whil suggests that it is almost always a sensor fault, not the ECU - we might be able to save you some money!

Hi
My Rover Mini 1998 has been very poorly running the latest time. I have changed several sensors but with no luck. So i went to my mechanic so he could test it. He says that the problem is the ecu, and that i need a new one. He can buy one for me but for 120 pounds! Is it possible to find it cheaper somewhere?

Rasmus

Can you describe the problems? Reading the threads for a whil suggests that it is almost always a sensor fault, not the ECU - we might be able to save you some money!

Well the Mini is often stalling, when pressing down the clutch. And there is almost no power under 2500 rpm. For instance it is accelerating very very slowly and almost stalling when i am starting from a tray.

Over 2500 the problem is minimal, just a little lack of power.

Cheers for helping.

[gronkjor]

Is there another garage that might be more used to dealing with Mini ECU's?
My mechanic said the Rover ECU's are quite quirky and unusual if you don't know what to look for.

No not as far as i know. The Mini knowledge here in Denmark is not good. This is the only mechanic in my area with Rover diagnostic tools.

[R1minimagic]

Did he check the lambda sensor? What do the spark plugs look like?

[Ipod]

I would suggest getting the injectors sonic cleaned and flow tested, as i am (had mine on rolling road n tuned ecu read)

mines like that and the old boy said at low revs...2000.2500 the injectors work thier hardest (and feels like its holding back in power)..therefore they glaze inside...and will be cheaper to clean them than buy new....O and after my ecu was cleared it ran better too.

Thats my opinion

Edited by Ipod, 27 July 2010 - 10:02 PM.

[minicooper1.3i]

Stalling when dropping the clutch, when pulling up for instance, is often associates with dodgy wiring to the map sensor. Because of tightness in the loom, engine rock eventually breaks the wires down. Personally I've never heard of an MPi ECU 'going wrong' through general wear and tear and I've also never heard of a replacement for £120. Don't forget that the ECU is synced to the immobiliser/alarm so to replace it you'll also have to replace the alarm module and your key fobs. And a second hand set usually goes for around 200 on ebay.

You might want to consider a replacement engine bay loom before a replacement ECU. The wiring is more likely to fail than the ECU.

Edited by minicooper1.3i, 28 July 2010 - 01:03 PM.

[gronkjor]

Did he check the lambda sensor? What do the spark plugs look like?

Well he used a code reader. The code reader showed an ECU fail. Would it also show a lambda sensor fail, if that was the case? Or is that a separate check?

Cheers

[gronkjor]

I ended up moving my Mini to another garage, the previous one seems to get it all wrong! The new one which is Bosch has now checked all the wires, ecu, the manifold etc, and nothing was wrong. They ended up saying that it was the flywheel which was loose.. So thank you guys for telling me that my ecu properly was alright, cause it was.

Now i am just waiting to get the flywheel fixed (Gotta be expensive), and then hopefully my lovely Mini will drive again