Hello,

06 mini cooper S won't start. Turn key, dash lights as normal, but get loud clicks/whirring. Driver's side power window also nudges down 1/2 inch at a time.

any ideas?

 

99% of the time it is the battery....sometimes, you cannot even jump them due to a bad cell or long battery run.
Either replace it, or borrow one from a second car, and see if its starts.

 

I agree it is most likely the battery but it’s worth jumping it first as that is easier than getting a new battery first. If it jumps you can at least drive it to Sears or the parts store.

///Rich

 

Thank you ZippyNH and Rich.
I hope its just the battery and nothing that'll burn a hole in the pocket.
I read on NAM that trying a different key might get it started , shall try doing that tmrw.

 

Clicking/whirring = 10V at the battery.

 

Did you try the jump start ??

 

So then a person would need a new battery right?

 

Sometimes charging it is sufficient. Depends on how bad it has become. Frankly it sounds like its in a bad way. Get it tested at a battery place once it is charged.

 

Each time you run a battery down to it's lower limit, it's resiliency and ability to function as it should is reduced. What's curious here is that it doesn't sound as if you left any accessories on that would cause the draw of power. What that says to me is that the battery is simply at the end of it's useful life. You can keep jumping it after each time you shut down, and while you're driving it'll be fine because the alternator is producing power, but....that gets old quick. Owning a $15 digital multi-meter goes a long way for diagnosing simple issues like these. In short, sounds like you need a new battery.

 

I know this post is 8 months old, so hopefully the guy got his car started, but...

There is also a fuse that, if blown, would stop the car from turning over. I had this problem. Healthy battery, clicked and clicked, no start, turned out to be a fuse.