Just bought an 04 MCS with 95k Saturday. Today it won't respond to the key. Lights, radio, etc. work but nothing when key is turned. Battery is good and appears new along with battery cables. Where should I look next?

 

You really have to try and jump start it. It may have a charging issue and the new battery is a symptom of that issue. If it Jump starts *under the hood connections, I would try and jump it from the rear connections. Check the ground wire on the passenger side on the motor mount, but you have to see if it is starter, or battery and unless you load tested the battery, you really can't rule it out.

 

Thank you. Will do.

 

Jump starting didn't make any difference.

 

Could be the starter. Is it a manual? If so, try push starting

 

This past summer my manual '05 Mini wouldn't start the battery was maybe 2 years old lights would come on and wouldn't jump start off a car, a power pack, or the another thing connected to the houses electricity, or push start (someone told me that push starts don't work on these cars or on newer cars something to that effect). Anyway I thought the starter or something had it towed to the shop and it was just the battery. Seems to run fine since. So dbl check that battery just to be sure.

 

Did you get two keys with your MINI, and if so, have you tried them both? It's possible the key just isn't sending the required signal to the ignition to allow it to start the car.

 

Ignition switch is a likely suspect

 

I just had this same problem with my 03 MCS. After leaving the store it would not start and jump starting didn't do anything. I actually ended up push starting it, so whoever said it cannot be done they were misinformed. Once I got home and looked around I discovered the ground strap on the passenger side of the engine was loose.

 

i would try the ignition switch, i've seen numerous of the those these past few weeks, dunno why. Its easy replacment as well. Remove the lower steering column trim and its right there, You also will need to take the kick panel out to get the lower
trim column out. Its pretty easy , and i know my dealer keeps those switches in stock, others might.

 

Not sure if I'm having same issue, but we couldn't get my mini started this morning. Put in the key and a few indicator lights came on but nothing happened with the engine. We were able to get it started with a jump start. Husband drove the car to the Auto Zone (2 minutes away) who tested the battery and said it was fine. I've had my mini back from the shop for a week where they put in a high pressure gas pump (I think that's what they said.) Ideas?

 

If they replaced a high pressure fuel pump, i take it you have a R56 Cooper S?

 

Yes, cooper S. Not sure what the R56 means.

 

that was my first thought

 

R56 would mean 07 or newer...

 

Same symptoms last week, mine was the ignition switch.

 

Push starting started it. Let it run an hour and then put on charger overnight. Next morning wouldn't respond to key. Took battery to Walmart and another parts store and both said battery was good (aftermarket battery). I attempted to contact the individual who sold the car but he will not return my calls. I was hoping to see if he had encountered any similar problems with the car not starting. Could it be the starter?

 

Starter is one possibility. Bad ground another (by the motor mount on pass side). There is a switch that tells the car that the clutch is pushed in for manual. That would do it too.

The fact that jumping did not work (I am guessing you used the connections under the hood) You can instead of using the normal ground attachment location, clip the ground right on the engine (Somewhere solid) to eliminate the ground wire being bad.

 

My problem was in fact a dead battery. It would not keep a charge. We jump started in this morning, I drove it to work and called Mini roadside service. With only 4 days left on my warranty, the battery was free.

 

Took it to the Mini dealer Thursday afternoon.Was told the starter was the culprit. Dealer wanted approximately $820 to replace it. Picked up car from dealer Friday afternoon. The service adviser was surprised when she worked up the invoice. It was NOT a faulty starter as she had told me 24 hours earlier. The clutch safety switch was not attached to the clutch pedal. $138.21 later, starting every time.