MGTF 120 stepspeed 2001 gearbox problems

Hi, I'm new here and just registered since becoming the new owner of MGTF. I've brought this as a project now I'm getting near retirement wanting something to tinker with. The car drove to MOT station after being stored in garage for nearly two years fairly well and after a few bits passed the MOT with some advisories about sub-frames looking rusty but not perforated. Hopefully I will attend to those later. On the way back it stuck in first gear and wont change up, it goes into reverse and drive but wont change even if I try manual mode or sports and paddles. Checked fluid that's OK no light on dash or message. Incidentally does the gearbox warning light illuminate when ignition first turned on because it doesn't on this one bulb maybe? Had to call breakdown out as it was smelling hot whilst trying to get home in first gear. He said its an electrical fault and their garage wouldn't be able to get part so its back on my drive now. Fortunately the previous owner left me a workshop manual so I can see where it all is but if possible some pointers that may help would be appreciated. Cheers Chris

Someone will probably be along with a more useful answer soon. But the thing I hear most about the Stepspeed is the importance of changing the oil in preventing/curing problems.

Oh, and there is a section on the Stepspeed box in the How to Guides area.

Thanks I thought that more likely but the breakdown guy who seemed to know a bit about them ( well mainly about the Mini) said he's almost certain it was electrical?

Forgot to say thanks the guide was more than useful lot to take in though.

Still no joy tried all the normal things oil is clean and to right level, replaced the gearbox ECU with used working one still nothing, stays in first gear. Lights on gear stick work no fault on dash in sport mode shows 1st and second but I don't believe it does anything. Not sure if its worth changing the oil and filter as I think the box is shot. I think I've checked the right electrical connections unless there is another under the car. Does anyone know a local expert on these gearboxes I'm in Camberley Surrey Hampshire border area. Any advice greatly accepted Thanks

We released an update to pscan a few weeks ago which allows customers to dump a lot of live data from the StepSpeed system.

There is more information about it here http://pscan.uk/features/cvt.html

regards, Philip

Thanks Philip I will give it a read and see what I can make of it maybe out of my scope if you know what I mean.

There is an MG Specialist in Old Windsor call Andy Roberts.
I know that he has a lot of experience with the StepSpeeds.
He also helped me a lot with testing of the software release that included support for it.
The StepSpeed is utterly unlike any other automatic gearbox and so experience with normal autos is not that useful.
That said I think that the same mechanicals were used in the BMW Minis (not the classics).
The diagnostic protocol will be totally different though unless BMW were putting MEMS3 in them.

you may also find this interesting
http://www.mini2.com/cvt/zf_vt1f_gearbox_description.pdf

If you look on page 26 you will see a 16 pin connector that connects the loom to the ECU.
I am told that it is common for these connectors to get full of water. It might be worth unplugging, drying it out and cleaning it up with some contact cleaner or something.

There are various other sensor as well, all of them need to be connected and working.

Thank you so much for your help you've pointed me in the right direction that PDF is excellent. I will get the car on the axle stands this weekend and give it a good check over. If not I will call Andy Roberts to see if he can help.

P.S your scanner does it have user instructions or does it presume you to be an expert, I've used icarsoft scanners before with reasonable success on modern cars ?

cjlawes wrote: P.S your scanner does it have user instructions or does it presume you to be an expert, I've used icarsoft scanners before with reasonable success on modern cars ?

Well, neither really

The main complication is getting the software installed. That is quite well documented here http://pscan.uk/install/

The next thing is that it doesn't have a menu where you select the car that you have, you have to know what ECUs are in your car. The list for an MGF/TF is here http://pscan.uk/features/mgf.html

So for your car you would have to select "Transmission" and then "MEMS3 CVT / Stepspeed". Or if you had an airbag light on you would select "Airbag" and then "RC5/EC5".

This will get you into the ECU that you want to analyse and from there you really don't need instructions.
There are just three big buttons saying "Read Error Codes", "Erase Error Codes" and "Live Data" and that's it.

cjlawes wrote: .....P.S your scanner does it have user instructions or does it presume you to be an expert, I've used icarsoft scanners before with reasonable success on modern cars ?

The pscan is quite easy to use as it has simple interface on the laptop screen. If you select the wrong ECU all it does is tell you it can't communicate with the ECU.