It is very weird. My car runs really nice and starts nice but every once in a while (usually after it has sat for 8 or more hours) it wont start for a second. I give the key a turn and it tries and tries but just doesn't seem to start. Not letting me give it another try I have to take the key out and try again. Two or three tries later it starts and drives as usual. It will even start again right there.

I am not the most auto savvy person, but I'd like to know if its something I'm doing wrong or an easy fix so the dealership doesn't laugh in my face.

 

Hmmm.. Your starter could be faulty. Then again, your alternator could also be faulty. Its best you get your local mech to check it out for you.

 

Does this mean that your starter is turning over but the engine will not run? Doesn't sound like a battery, alternator or starter problem.

 

Yeah, we have to know if it cranks, clicks, nothing..... what?

Also, you say "for a second" but that would imply it then starts. But you say you need to remove the key and reinsert it. That suggests there may be a contact issue or programming between the key and OBC may need updating. Before anything else, try cleaning the contacts on your key.

 

Ok I went ahead and took a video because its hard for me to explain. As luck would have it' it only game me trouble id say 1 1/2 times. When it does work it kicks the first time. And in the video it didn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeVawOJ7Svk

 

I can't access youtube at work, but, given the "click" of which you speak, I'd go with a bad contact/ground somewhere or a failing starter.

 

Something just came to mind that really grinds my gears. I'm not sure if its relevant but right before I bought my car this "illegal" who didn't know anything really took the car out to fill the tank. My guess is he filled it with regular unleaded gas. When I was in the car before I noticed it was almost out of gas so that means he would have put in a significant amount of unleaded in there. Might this be part of the problem??

 

Low octane will not keep your engine from starting. If the ignition can't retard itself enough to adjust for the lower octane you might get predetonation and serious engine damage. But since you can occassionally get it started and running it is unlikely that has occurred.

Not tightening your gas cap (after your recent fillup) might cause this problem. If that isn't your issue, it's a bad ECU, and only the dealer can help you.

 

I just figured that might be a factor because the last few times I have gotten my car to start it just stalls a second later.

 

Wow, that's a diagnosis!

First thing I would check is Fuel pressure after sitting...Does the FP relay supply power to the FP? Got to be methodical when checking problems like this. Have a Volt meter setup and ready to go on the FP power supply wire at the FP. Then check ground. You would just have to repeat the problem unitl you got it traced back to the source. It takes roughly 3 things to make one run-Engine mechanically sound(which yours is), Ignition/spark, and Fuel. Usually they need to be checked in that order, but since the mechanical aspect is ruled out, and Ignition problems with these cars is extremely reliable, I would be checking the Fuel Pump(FP) and it's Power and grounds first.

Good luck,

Chad

 

Took it in and got a through inspection and they said it was PROBABLY the fuel pressure or fuel pump. Its running nicely just the start after sitting for 8+ hours so I believe it will be fine. I was told I would have to take it to a dealer because they can't even get the parts. The stupid thing is the dealers around here are so fricken hard to deal with Thanks for all the help everyone

 

try looking in the NAM regional forums for a good independent (non dealer) MINI mechanic in your area. much nicer to deal with and usually a lot less expensive. also realoem.com and pelicanparts.com are good sources to get your own parts for stuff you want or can DIY. use realoem to locate the part number then, search that number at pelican and order.

 

You need to start with the basic diagnostic tool: K.I.S.S. A common cause of that type of starting issue is dirty injectors. The pintles don't close completely, and a small amout of fuel will drip into the cylinders. This can cause what is akin to flooding in a carberated car. The first few cranks with the engine turning over will 'wet' the plugs -they don't fire. Cranking it a few more times will help clear the flooding, and allow the car to start.
Try some good injector cleaner -Lucas, Techron, etc.
Just a guess on my part.
-skip-

 

I was thinking that too, but when he starts his car in that video, it doesn't sputter at all like it is trying to clear the fuel from the cylinders.

 

True, dat, chadtoolio. But if it's bad enough, I've seen instances where none of the plugs fire at all. Without pulling them and taking a good look, it would be hard to guess.
He could also get one of those cheap spark plug/wire testers and have someone check while the engine cranks. Need to see if they are all firing, and if they are firing strongley. Coil pack might be gettin' weak, or time for new plugs and wires. Always start with the simplest, cheapest thing and work toward complex/pricey. Car-fu wisdom.
-skip-

 

So today was my first day off so I didnt start it within 10 hours of it last being driven so this evening I went to go to the store and it just would not start for anything. Even tried jumping with a little hope. So now I guess I have to tow it somewhere instead of going to work tomorrow. Well can anyone help me find a Mini repair center close to zip code 85008? I could only find MINI north Scottsdale and that place is a lot of BS. I would be in debt to you forever!!

 

Is everything else turning on in the car? Lights? Stereo, A/C, power windows/locks, etc..?

Could be your battery. Is it an OEM battery?

 

Battery and everything works fine. The diagnosis was vague but it had something related to the fuel. Beck when I could get it started after a few tries it would sometimes stall right after. Did you see the video I posted of the start?

 

Ok took it into a REAL mechanic. And in less than an hour after arriving he called me up and let me know the fuel pump has seized. And that no one in town had the part. I'm just super happy that it will be fixed. Road trip time! Thank you everyone for all your help and advice!

 

Good to hear. Just curious, do you run your car until the gas gauge is bleeding?

 

Nope. Fill it up every week regardless. I'll put in 15 cents if needs be. I wont let ig go below half EVER! But this is a rare case. I know retard that didn't even really speak English put regular unleaded gas in to top the tank off when I bought the car and with Premium being 91 max here I figured I'd let it run to about 50 miles on the tank just this one time as a precaution then fill it right back up.

 

I had this problem with my car. it was just dirty fuel injectors. i went through a two week cycle and filled the tank @ 1/4 with the injector cleaner, i used STP and then at the next fill up did the same thing.

i think i'm going to make it a regular process once a month.

 

My MC starts to hesitate a little bit before starting, now that I started using Regular Unleaded.
Try putting premium or octane booster and see if it improves.