Hi, I have a 02 Mini Cooper S. Only mods are supercharger 15% pulley and Dinan intake. After hitting a tire piece on the fwy and running it over, my car just died as I pulled off to the side of the fwy and had it towed home. Now I can crank the car but the car will not start. The engine turns over as it would normally. I am assuming that when I ran over the tire, it was a coincidence that now the car will not start anymore.


I looked under the car and did not see anything unusual at all.

Checked oil and oil is still right at the full mark.
Checked for spark and getting spark
Checked to see if fuel is still pumping through and while I had the spark plugs out to check for sparks, I saw and smell fuel coming out of the spark plug hole.
Lastly, I checked compression and compression shows good and even across all cylinders

What else can prevent the car from starting?

 

You've got me stumped

I doubt it's a coincidence with the tire. Any error codes stored in the DME?
Are you absolutely sure there's nothing damaged on the underside of the car. It might be worth putting it up on jackstands and getting a real close look.

 

The car is currently on jack stand right now. I have looked all over under the car and cannot find anything unusual or any signs that I ran over the tire.

I am using the scan gauge and didn't see any codes stored in it.

Also, any chance the crank position sensor is preventing the car from starting?

 

Pop your hood, on the driver side behind the strut tower, there should be a "red" or "Black" button behind it... this is the inertia switch to shut off the fuel pump. The impact probably triggered it... push and reset the button and see if it starts the car.

This button was a built-in safety device on the earlier R53's.

 

You are my savior! Pressed the button (which was black) heard some odd click right after I pressed it and fired the car and it started right up!

I had no idea this button existed.

 

Yup the button is the inertia switch for fuel cut off. Only on 02 and real early 03 cars. I've only ever seen one car that it went off as you have to hit something pretty hard.

 

Cool beans, glad you're sorted out.

Motor on!

 

This one thread just made this forum worthwhile.

 

Man, that button should be listed in "things you didn't know about your Mini"

Well done.