Started the car in the morning, drove 20 miles and pressed the stop button. Everthing went dead - no electrical power in the car at all. Could not start the car as no power available on the dash. Could not pull the key out, but took it out by pulling a bit harder. Called AAA to help start the car (if battery problems, but there was no indication of the battery going down anytime at all) or to tow her. AAA came and I opened the car with the manual key. Lo and behold, everthing was normal!!!!!. Time lapse between the time the car was stopped and then restarted was 4 hours and 5 minutes, and this was shown on the clock. Also, all previous settings got reset to factory settings.

No problems with car for next 7 days. Then one evening after a drive of 200 miles and letting the car cool off, washed the car. After the wash, could not start the car. This time, the power was available, but nothing happening when pressing the start button. Thought the battery was low so hooked up jumper cables from another car - no response at all. In fact, could not even get any sparks at the battery terminals.

Left the car in this state overnight. Next morning tried to start the car. This time, got power in the car and there was clicking noise (low battery starter solenoid clicking) and blinking lights inside the car (headlights were off, a/c was off). Tried several times by removing the key, reinserting it and pressing the start button. After several tries of similar indication (clicking solenoid and blinking lights), the car started!!!!! Turned it off, parked the car in garage. Have an appointment with nearest BMW dealer tomorrow - hope it will start and I do not have to get it towed.

Can anyone please help as to what is going on with the car?

Thanks very much!!!!!!

Mahendra26

 

Is your MINI still covered by Warranty/Roadside Assistance (meaning under 50,000 miles)? If so, phone the MINI assistance number instead of AAA right away when you have a problem. If it is disabled, they should transport it for you, see what computer fault codes are showing, analyze, and fix the problem at the nearest MINI dealership.

 

Thank you so much. As I mentioned in my earlier, the car started and I went home. The car ran fine for 7 days and then repeated its bad mood. Left it overnight and it started up again. It is with a Mini dealer now who are looking at it under warranty (not very hopeful they will find the problem as the key did not show any fault codes). Have about 3000 miles still left on warranty. Thinking of trading it in to lease a new one with no electronic bells and whistles as the one I have at this time works in the one and zero world.

Again, thanks.

mahendra26

 

I know Im a bit late but I had this EXACT problem about a week ago and it turned out, all it was was one of the battery terminal cables was loose. The reason you experience it intermittently like you do is because whn you close your door, you shake the cable into contacting the post on the battery and will give you a decent connection. Before you pay to take it to a dealership(if you havent already), go check your cables

 

I did check my battery post and cables - not loose and clean. I suspect a loose connection on one of the sensors that cut the engine off in case of a malfunction. The car is with Mini, but they are not looking at it as yet as they are trading it in as is for a new car I am leasing from them.

But, appreciate your help very much!!!!!