I took my MINI into the dealership (new Hendrick one in Charlotte) to have a starting problem looked at, and walked away feeling fairly dumb.

I swore up and down that the MINI only had trouble starting when the wife was in the passenger seat. So the techs (baffled) tried to figure out how the "mat" in the passenger seat, which controls whether or not the passenger airbag is deployed (and the HU's Driver setting as well), could cause my problem.

Well, they could not recreate the problem. As I sat in the car, with the wife in the passenger seat and the MA standing outside my door, I tried to crank the MINI. Wouldn't start. The MA was baffled. Went through the usual questions such as "Is the clutch in?"

I know support people need to ask stupid questions sometimes, so I was not annoyed. I've driven clutch vehicles for a while and know the clutch needs to be pressed to start most new vehicles. Then his next question threw me for a loop...

"Is the clutch ALL the way down?" I started to say "Well duh. Yeah." Then I noticed I was not pressing it all the way down.

There are 2 switches on the clutch: 1 at the top (completely released) that works with the Cruise control, and the other at the bottom (completely depressed) that acts as an ignition interlock. I was actually able to turn the key all the way, then press the clutch the last millimeter or whatever and have the car start.

Press that clutch all the way. Who'd have thunk it?

 

Don't feel bad. My wife's Sentra SE-R has to be pushed all the way down, too. Several different people in the family have driven her car, and they all have complained that they couldn't start the car, but then we find out it's because they didn't push the clutch down that last important millimeter.

 

Good thing you found the root cause before you started blaming your
wife.

 

Pebblecrusher, I'm glad you found your problem, but please don't do as I.


I am on a "first name basis" with Donovan in the service department at Hendrick. That's like being on a first name basis with the people in the emergency room at a hospital or the guys at the local fire department. Something I would rather not do. I kinda wish he didn't know me when I walked in...

 

I found out about the need to push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor in my test drive. I have rather short legs and, when I have the seat in a comfortable position, I have real trouble pushing the clutch all the way in.

Now that I've had my '05 MCS for several months, I'm getting used to it. However, I'd still like very much to find some way to not have to push the clutch so far in or to extend the clutch pedal so that I can put the seat in a comfortable position.

Any thoughts?

 

good point on the clutch position. I noticed the last millimeter as a clink during my test drive. Just basically remember to press all the way as far as possible on any manual. :smile:

 

She was the one that pointed it out! The MA looked at me like I was stupid when I told him why the car won't start.

Anyways, we got home and the wife said "So, it wasn't the MINI that didn't like me." Uh oh.... "I guess not. It's just my foot." Said as I kicked her.

Elmer--- Not sure. Perhaps adding a thicker pedal cover.

 

This is sort of off topic. But I have the dashboard rattle, the engine stall/idle problem and a strange vibration as I let off the clutch in 1st and 2nd. Do you think the new shop can handle this or should I go back to Flow? Also I think there are some recalls due on it.

 

Yes, I've looked into various pedal extenders. They all seem pretty clunky. One of the mechanics at MINI of Charleston suggested I try to get a clutch made with a longer throw. I'll talk with them some more if I can ever get to my first service.

 

As cool as it is to be in a laid back position in the car,you should be upright,legs and arms slightly bent.And thats legs bent,clutch pedal to the floor.If you have to fully extend your leg to get the clutch pedal fully depressed,you may not be able to get the throtle to the floor

 

My advice is to sit closer. With time, you'll get used to it. :smile: