Well, i took the MINI for a spin today, but when I was done with lunch I went to start the car and *click*. Thats all I got out of it. I checked my ground strap, got a jump, checked the battery voltage (which was at 12.5, so the battery is fine). I was finaly able to get it going with a push start, but the car still wont start on its own. I think the starters cooked, which is reparable. Any other ideas what might be wrong with it?

 

One of your cables might be bad... Hmm..sounds like a starter tho. But I dont have the qualifications to diagnose problems on 200HP Mini's....only 115...

 

Yeah what the hamster powered cooper guy said and check the positive terminal under the bonnet it may have come loose and so make sure all your terminals are clean of any corrosion. I had that same problem a long time ago.

 

Won't start and click, try a jump.
If jump works, it's the battery, if the jump doesn't but a push does, then it's the starter, the ignition switch, or a connection (check the high current path from the bat to the starter).

That's about it.

Matt

 

ya, jump didn't work. I've dismissed the battery from volt testing. Ignition off, I'm at 12.5v. With ignition on, i get 12.1v and with the key to the start position, 11.5v. I'm thinking I will just let the dealership take care of it. I just dont have time to replace a starter myself....

 

BAD BATTERY.

An unloaded battery should read 13.2 volts and not drop below 12-12.5 when cranking. You don't have enough juice to kick in the starter solenoid. When trying to jump, leave the cables hooked up for a couple of minutes before trying to crank.

 

I had them hooked up for 10 minutes... If it was the battery and a cell was bad, it would be reading far below that level.

 

agreed. 12.5 should be fine but could still be bad amp wise . mine read good but wasn't . take it to a sears or the like and they can test it .

 

Ya, when I have time I'm gona run it down to Murrays. If thats not the problem, its getting flatbedded to the dealer...