Turn the key and everything lights up and all the accessories work but the engine won't crank! Eventually it does start after pulling the key in and out and trying it several times. It's happened on two occasions, I have no idea what could be going on. Any ideas?

 

Kinda new here but if you have another key try it and see if that one works normally. It could be the immobilizer chip in the key acting up. If your spare key works fine. Check out this link on fixing the bad key.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rbishment.html

Hope this helps you out.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a spare key, so I'm kicking myself in the butt for not getting one last week when I thought about it. Thanks for the link, hopefully it will help.

 

It could just be a something small, Like a loose immobilizer chip, or a low battery in the key. Does the remote in the key work OK? any issue with range?
If it was me I'd check those things first. Pretty sure that a new key from the dealership is not gonna be cheap.

 

Talked to the dealer and the new key (valet version with no remote) runs about $50 compared to 150 for the remote control and everything. Unfortunately it can take up to three days to get the key which doesn't help us much now. I'm going to be needing one anyway so I'm just going to order it. Anyway we're going to be calling Mini roadside assistance to have the car towed to the dealer.
So far, it could be any one of the following items:

• Battery (unlikely because it wouldn't even start with jumper cables)
• key (battery or immobilizer chip)
• Starter
• Starter Solenoid (don't even know if it has one, LOL)
• Computer
• Ignition Switch
• Something Else?

 

yes, but jiggling the key and getting it to work should rule out the battery, starter, starter solenoid and computer. It could be the ignition switch. Changing the battery on the key is cheap and easy fix to try before spending all that money with the dealership less than $1 vs ... well i bet a lot more. Let me know what you find out. Sorry i couldn't be more help.

 

I appreciate your input you've been a lot of help. I've been a mechanic my whole life but Unfortunately I am paralyzed now and my wife isn't a mechanic so sometimes the simple things just become complicated. I think I need to win the lottery, LOL. I called Mini roadside assistance and they're on their way to take it to the dealer. Hopefully it's gonna be something simple and not cost an arm and a leg

 

Oh, Ya i am not even close to your skill level you are probably way ahead of me on this. I just love mini's and know a few of their quirks. Hope it you get it back on the road. Good luck and maybe post how it goes. I always like to learn what i can.

 

I don't know about my skill level but I know it's not helping much now, LOL. I'll definitely post what I find out what the final outcome is

 

The dealer says it's the ignition switch. Wants to charge me $275 for it. Wish I was still a mechanic I would get out the Bentley service manual, order the part for $75 and git-r-done!

 

My Mini wouldn't do ANYTHING when I turned the key and it drove me nuts for days. No engine lights or anything. I would put the key in and absolutely nothing would happen. Then a friend said to make sure the automatic was fully in park (which it wasn't) and the car started right up. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR SHIFTER IS PUT FULLY INTO PARK.