My fiance has a 2004 Mini Cooper Base with the 5-speed midlands transmission and the throwout bearing melted down the other day causing the slave cylinder to fail as well. Replaced all the parts as well as clutch and a new power steering pump. Now that everything is back together it will not start. It also did not start after the throw out bearing failed but I assumed this was because the pedal could not be depressed far enough. The only thing I can think is a bad clutch pedal sensor or the fact that when I was taking the wires off of the starter solenoid the solenoid itself spun a bit. Not sure if that could have damaged anything or not. There is no click but all access. and fuel pump are on. Any help would be welcomed thanks all.

 

I would check the clutch position switch under the dash. I knocked it out of place when I was working on my wife's car and that produced the same symptoms as yours. Maybe you weren't working under the dash but I would check it anyway. Wiggle it around to make sure it is snapped into place- it is quite easy to dislodge.

Val

 

Thank you I appreciate it. I will check that in the morning. Hoping its something silly like that. Have you ever heard of the starter solenoid twisting around under pressure like mine did? Really hoping I haven't damaged that. I would say it twisted about an 8th of a turn.

 

Starter solenoid twisting? How would that even happen? I mean, if it's visibly bent from looking at the starter from the outside then you might have pinpointed your problem...

Val

 

Yeah I was removing the wires from the solenoid to begin taking the starter off and while I was wrenching them off, instead of the nut twisting the whole solenoid twisted instead and then I held on to it to finish removing the nut that was holding the wires on so as to not have it twist anymore. It still feels tight on the starter and I can't move it with my hand or anything but it did move I am sure of that.

 

If you want to test the clutch switch theory, you can take the connector off the EWS (immobilizer), and put a jumper between the two heavier black (or black/yellow) wires. Turn the key and if the starter doesn't respond, your problem is in the engine bay!

 

Where is the EWS located? I have a '04 R53 that I need to check the switch.

Thanks.

 

The EWS is bolted to the firewall on the left (Driver's) side of the car, up under the dash to the left of the clutch pedal. It's held in with two 10mm nuts. Typically a grey plastic box a little bigger than a cigarette box. The wires are located on the top of the EWS, and you'll need patience.

 

Check the ground wire located on the passenger side motor mount bracket, if the motor was tilted enough during trans removal, that bolt can come loose.