So, I'll venture back here or make a thread for the other issues but this one is throwing me for a loop. 2015 Cooper S 2.0T, 2 door hatch with a 6sp tranny.

So, very randomly my car would hesitate to start, again it was a very random thing and it was months and months apart. (I did/do have a code to replace the wastegate actuator which was on and off), but about 2 weeks ago, it wouldn't start up and seemed to make the typical starter issue sound. I would pop start it with no problem (let it roll down the driveway in first with clutch down and release when it had a little speed) and it would start right up and run without any issue. So, that pretty much tells me that it's a starter issue or that the starter is not getting power. But it would make that sound of getting power but not enough to crank it over, solenoid, right?

Now, apparently no auto parts store nor the dealer carry the starter on hand. WTF lol I order one from advance auto, installed it, first crank over wasnt instant but also didnt really hesitate, I let it run for a little bit. I turned it off and on about 5 times, started up just fine each time. Put tools away, cleaned up, had dinner, about 3 hours later, I went to go for a ride and bam not cranking over and that same "starter not working sound". Thought it might be the starter as it was a remanufactured one, so I decided to return it (yes they did accept it and refund me all the money). Decided to simply get a mini one (720 with taxes freaking ouch) installed it and nothing freaking eh. I didnt even try to pop start it this time but am sure it would start right up.

So, what are the chances that the mini starter is also not working? And if its not the starter, wtf could it possibly be??

I have never had such a issue on any other car (lots of 84 rabbits/gti, 2001 vw gti, and about 5 volvo 240's) So far this one mini has been very reliable, so this again is throwing me for a loop.


Thank you!!

 

The starter requires considerable electrical power/current to operate properly. You need to check battery connections, and the cabling, and where the cabling connects. Also, verify ground straps are good. In severe cases of cabling degradation during cranking a ground cable -- the naked strands of copper -- can glow dull red due to resistance. The strands are exposed because over time exposure and heat have caused the cabling covering to degrade and some strands of wire to break.

Also, you need to confirm the battery is good and the car's alternator is good. A bad alternator can be good after engine start and for a while after but then its output falls off. (From a bad voltage regulator.) One parks the car but the last X miles the battery has not been kept topped up and the battery is low. Starting misbehavior can result.

 

I replaced the battery 2 years ago upon looking at my notes.

As for the wires, def doesn't seem like they are bad when i was replacing the starter. .
the starter is brand new from the mini dealer but guess it doesn't mean much technically.

Just seems weird that the autoparts store starter wirked for 5 cranks, than stopped and the dealer starter doesnt crank it at all.

Thank

 

A 2 year old battery doesn't have to be any good. I had a new battery go bad after just 5 months. The previous battery, same brand as the replacement battery, lasted almost 7 years.

That both the auto parts store starter and dealer starter -- I'm assuming these are jump starters -- failed to work suggests something amiss with car's connections/cabling.

You can't always go by how wiring/cabling looks. One technique -- though it requires considerable care -- is to after a failed start to check all the heavy cabling/ground straps for heat. A hot -- and the cable can be *hot*!!! so be very very careful you don't touch the cabling just hold a hand near enough t feel if there is real heat present -- cable is a sign of poor conductivity. Bad connections. Bad cabling.

A brand new starter can also be bad. But did the new starter include a new solenoid? The solenoid has to work to engage the starter pinion gear with the flywheel ring gear and when this is engaged then concurrently close a switch which supplies 12V power to the starter.

 

I guess it can be the battery but I don't think it is, being that when I pop start the car, it runs fine, everything works, no issues with anything.

The only current issue is the car not cranking over on its own.

I did just actually bench test the old start i took off and it works. I did the bench test using a battery back up and a screwdriver on the kitchen table haha, started right up.

as for the advance auto store starter i had bought, it was remanufactured and did have a new solenoid, the one from the dealer is a brand new mini one.

so, guess I might have to check the wires but I find it hard to believe that it would be that. ugh.

are there any relays, fuses that are related to the starter, ignition?