Hi,

I have a 2015 F56 Manual Trans with 34,000 kms.

Three times over the last couple of weeks, the car has not started normally. Usually, I depress the clutch, press the Start button, and the car starts right up. But on these occasions the starter (I think) cranks but the engine does not turn over. I press the Start button again to stop it and get an error on the screen to turn off the car and call for service. But if I simply press the Start button again, the car starts right up, and the error disappears. I don't even get a warning icon on the speedometer, which I get with other errors.

This has only happened when the car is completely cold, such as the first start up in the morning or after work.

My questions:

1. Is this the starter?
2. Should this be covered under the warranty?
3. Can I wait for my next maintenance (at 36k) to take care of it?

Thanks.

 

Is it cold where you are? Mine has done this a few random times when it was cooler out.

 

3rd Gen MINIs should start reliably if you have a good battery and good fuel (no water/no clogged filter/no old gas). If the starter turns that eliminates a lot of possibilities. The interesting sequence described in the OP with 'call for service' error messages is not a good thing, even if it resets on the next attempt. This issue should not be weather-related, unless something is wet or corroded.

Assuming no aftermarket add-ons are present (like a tuning box) that might be an issue, it would be wise to get the car to a dealer and have them scan for error codes under warranty. The car should always start. Period.

 

Yes, it has cooled off here. It was 10 celsius this morning.

And on the way to work this morning I got the Brake System Warning. I think it said that I need new pads.

I was hoping to put it off for another 2k kms when I have to do the next scheduled maintenance. Now it doesn't look like I can wait.

When it rains, it pours.

 

Took it in today for the scheduled maintenance and the brake error. I told the service rep to check the starting issue. He said they replace the starter module (whatever that is) and I shouldn't have any more problems. It was under warranty so I'm not really concerned with it now.

 

I know dealer already replaced the starter module for this issue, but I didn't quite understand what you meant above.

When you say engine does not turn over, did you mean the starter spins ONLY and it fails to engage with the engine?

 

I'm not sure what you mean by engage with the engine but I think the sound was the starter trying to start the engine but the engine just wouldn't start.

 

Engaging means gears are mating each other. In this case, the starter/bendix gear are mated to the flywheel gear and they are rotating together.

If you think the sound was like starter trying to start the engine, then what I think happened was that the engine was actually cranking or turning over and it was just not firing (no combustion occurring). It means the starter itself was doing its job - cranking the engine. Then the question comes back - what is the starter module that dealer replaced?