so I went away for a week, leaving my car parked in my carport (level surface), nice temperature etc. The car was absolutely symptom free before that. I just had it checked out two weeks ago, it has 38k miles on it, and its an 02.

I went away for a week, when I came back I tried to start the car and it just cranked and cranked. then it started clicking (like the battery was dead). so I tried to jump it off a neighbors car, NOTHING.

AAA couldn't jump it. guy said the battery was probably "too dead to jump" bought a new battery installed it, it just cranks and cranks, doesn't turn over. HELP PLEASE!!!

Last detail, I tried to push start it, third gear, like the book says, then second, because thats what I've done in the past, also no luck.

 

It may be a simplistic suggestion, but make sure that the battery is connected properly. Good luck - hope somebody here can help you.

 

battery is hooked up. anything else folks? any bay area mini-owners want to help?

 

If the battery was turning the starter over you have other problems than a dead battery. Is there gas in the tank?

 

I once had a car towed to a shop only to find out it was out of gas. Very embarrassing.

 

The needle is at about half. I filled it up about 100 miles ago, so I'm going to say with a good amount of certainty, I have gas.

I was reading through here trying to find something similar and the closest I find are problems with the fuel system, with regards to stale gas, but after a week?

also what would the symptoms be if the car locked me out (rejected my key) would it still turn over?

 

Check the clutch sensor switch..
You should see a wire pair near the clutch lever...

I had a club member with a similar problem. Car was fine but would not start because the ECU was not able to verify the clutch was engaged...

If I think of anything else .. I be back..
If you get it running. post back so we know..

Good luck,
BBCooper

 

Well if it were the clutch switch, the engine would not even be turning over.

I would check your fuel also and quality of fuel. Listen for your pump to see if you can hear it when cycling the key. If you hear a thump/thud from the pump, its most likely done. Being an 02 I would recommend changing your filter also if your pump is done. But warning: the filter housings on early 02 models are complete housings. you can not change just the filter, you have to get the whole complete housing. Check the fuel pump fuse also, see if its blown, good sign of siezed pump.

 

I don't think its the clutch switch. I tried to start the car once (as a test) without the clutch engaged, nothing happened, step on the clutch and it turns and turns but doesn't start.

I am going to check the fuel pump later today, as well as bleed my fuel rail. Im hoping to get this done, I was supposed to be doing a 17% pully today.. now I just need to get her running

 

alternator?

 

Cant be cluth switch, you wouldnt even turn engine.

1) You have not mentioned this, and can go overlooked....but do you have an alarm system with "engine disabled" option ?

2) Check the fuse for ENGINE. It is located behind lower kick panel by dead pedal. If this fuse is blown, your MINI will behave in this manner as well.

3) Any way you can check the codes ? Will local Auto Zone loan you the reader ?

 

Im getting spark, so battery/alternator/etc is not it.

I spoke with mini, they suggested trying, get this... my spare key. I'll try it when I get home and let you know.

They said that the key Im using may have gotten messed up (dunno how, save airport Xrays..) if it did, the other key would still work. and the way the anti-theft comp work, it will crank and crank, but not deliver fuel

 

sent you a PM.. long winded technical details..

But I had a friend with "unusual fuel pump" issues as well in his MINI..

Not sure how comfortable you are with removing panels... That might be in your future...

keep us posted..
BBCooper

 

BB Cooper,

Thank you for the email.. It's not that technical, I have a lot of stereo installs in my past, so removing a panel and checking some fuses sounds straight forward (typical last words ) anyway if the other key doesn't work I have a list of things to try.. keep them coming through..

 

SHE'S ALIVE!!!! oh what a sweet sound that start was... so what happened..

I didn't RTFM!!

When I got back and my battery was dead, I tried to jump it off the battery terminals... this is a big no-no. I blew a number of fuses under the hood (the ones with the picture of the engine associated with them). Swapped the fuses, turned the key, VROOOMM!!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!!

 

Congrats...

Happy Motoring
BBCooper

 

Yeah!!!!!!

 

figured that fuse could have been it.

When I put in a jumper to that fuse I forgot to add one for that slot. Same starting problem. Glad it worked out.

 

whew, glad that's over.. congrats!

 

ok
a stupid question coming right up.....
if you don't jump a MINI off the battery terminals, how do you jump it if the bat is dead?
thanks
boxcars

 

one cable on the battery, one to ground.. or call AAA

 

Check the OM.

There is a covered Pos+ terminal attached to air filter housing, You flip cap, and attach + cable, there and the other to an engine mount by dr side fender area. You should never jump a mini battery from boot area btw......

 

Also in the OM, you should turn on all of your accessories before you detach the cables. That is probably why you blew fuses--power surge.

Congrats on the fix. Happy Motoring.