Hey everyone, this is an unfortunate first post on here for me....

So a few weeks ago (before it started snowing), I drove my 2004 MINI Cooper S down the street, parked, went in the store and when I got back in the car it wouldn't start. I turned the key, and there was one click, then nothing. Engine didn't even turn over.
It's not the battery, I even tried to jump start it and it doesn't work. Still the one click, and no turn over. I try every few days just to check (hoping for a miracle) It wasn't cold out the first day it happened, and it has run perfectly before in cold weather, since the car is originally from New England and I live in the south now.
I tried everything in the manual, like pressing the gas pedal slightly before starting, etc. Still nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas before I start trying to work on it? I'm super busy anyway, so any points in the right direction would be much appreciated.

 

Battery....
A very dead battery or dead cell will prevent jumping unless you have very HEAVY cables....

 

Here is a good basic chart for eliminating the problem http://www.ifitjams.com/starting.htm

 

+1 it's the battery...you can chase other ideas all day long but you should really trust in this forum...replacing the battery is a simple, fast, low cost fix...it's kind of sucky that when the battery goes it prevents even jumping but it does.

If the battery is more than 4 years old I call it prime suspect

 

The Battery would be my 1st suspect, get a load test done on it to make sure its cranking amperage is up to par. I had a battery just die on me and when attempting to start the car, the dash electronics were all over the place When load tested, it showed 26 CCA, should have been around 480 CCA.
The old battery (maintenance free) showed it as charged when looking at the indicator window and after a push start, the car ran fine with no indication of charging issues. Once it was load tested, it was clear to see that it had issues.
New battery and all is well.

 

May want to check that the grounding strap in the engine compartment (passenger side just down and forward of the engine mount dampener) is securely fastened. Also my want to check battery grounds for security. Good luck.

 

Like everyone else has said....BATTERY! A dead cell, or broken connection inside the battery will kill it, and prevent a jump start from doing anything.

Take the battery to an autoparts store...and have them test it. When they tell you it's bad....buy a new one

 

Has no one mentioned it's probably the battery? Classic battery problem.

 

Did you read any of the other posts? Just about everyone said it's the battery

 

If it's a stick, check the clutch sensor. My daughters car did the same thing and she accidentally kicked it off.

 

If the clutch switch was bad...turning the key would not give you any kind of "click" from the starter would it? It would be completely dead.

I'm guessing that if he's getting some sort of click or sound from the engine, but it's not turning over...it's the batter.

 

And folks...
The poster seems to have been a "drive by"...
Posted once...
Never responded, never told us what the fix was...
And I seriously doubt the car is still sitting dead...about a week later...
I vote we move on, and not waste out time and efforts on a situation that will likely remain open-ended forever....

 

i .... Need ..... Closure......

 

^Lolz^

 

It actually does click, won't jump start, lights turn on though.. Not saying its bad either, hers just was kicked off by accident.

 

just get a new battery. 95% of the time, the "click and nothing" problems with cars can be traced back to the battery. They die very suddenly at times, and symptoms are somewhat deceiving at times, with lights still coming on, but no amps there to crank the starter over


Have you tried push starting it (get a couple of guys to push it down a hill, pop the clutch in 2nd gear, ignition on) If it doesn't even try to run, you probably need a new battery. Anyone suggest new battery yet?

 

Lol...
First response....
Funny...owner never came back to respond...