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2014 F56 Starter/Ignition Failure
Hi everyone, I’ve got a 2014 F56 Cooper S Hardtop that is now out of warranty. Recently, I started getting an intermittent problem where the engine doesn’t spin over, accompanied by whooshing/whirring sound, followed by a starter/ignition fault. After a few attempts it starts. I’d say that it starts now about 3 times out of every 10! I suspect that the whooshing/whirring sound is the starter motor spinning but not engaged to the flywheel due to a sticking selenoid. Does this diagnosis sound logical? You can’t buy just a selenoid - and my Mini dealer wants $460 + $150 core charge for a complete starter. Im finding used starters online that come with a 1 year warranty for $100 or less. I’m seriously considering tearing apart my current selenoid and trying to fix it and if that doesn’t work, buying a used one. Thoughts, opinions, suggestions? Thanks!!! |
Bump!
Did you resolve the issue? If so, what’d it end up being and how did you fix? My F56 was doing the exact same and now is dead. Can’t find much on this topic online and I’m clueless. |
Turned out to be a cracked starter case! I went over a known rise at a speed that I knew should be fine, however there had been some unanticipated, poorly done roadwork that launched me airborne, and landing me in some rubble, which must have cracked the starter case a bit between the solenoid and starter motor.
Over time, the solenoid operation made the crack bigger, causing intermittent engagement. Eventually the solenoid portion completely fell off and was hanging my the wires. I was lucky that this was the only damage! Dealer wanted almost $500 for a new starter and $300 to replace it. I located a used starter from a newer model for $70 and installed it myself in an hour. Viola! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...340924777.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...dfa8518b5.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...8000eb1fa.jpeg |
Thanks for the reply!
I’m going to lift my car and see what I find. I’m also lowered and I’ve hit a few large potholes, perhaps I’ve got a similar situation in my hands. At least I hope so! There’s not much I can find on locating the starter in the actual car, is it easiest to access from below or from the engine bay? |
Only from underneath. Remove the underside engine cover and it will be front and center.
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