Help! Winter is coming

I just recently purchased this 2004 Mini Cooper S and after about the first two weeks I didn’t have any issues, but one day when I was going to work I couldn’t get the car to start. I would turn the key and all lights came on, but when I went to start it, nothing would happen, no crank or anything. So I kept trying it about 15 more times and it finally started! And same thing happened when I went to leave work and after leaving the grocery store.. each time needing to turn the key anywhere from 10-20ish times before it finally started! Eventually it would not start at all

Replaced the starter about a week ago now, and it started right up, no problem. Drove it about 10-15 times since then, everytime starts up on first turn of key. Then last night I was leaving work, and it did it again. Would not start, would not crank, turn the key and literally nothing happens.

Battery seems to be fine, lights don’t dim or anything when trying to start it, no real signs of it being bad(clicking, etc.)

Anybody have any idea what this could be? My only thoughts are possibly the ignition? Or some sort of safety switch in the clutch maybe??

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated since I live in Wisconsin and winter is coming and I am very strapped for cash right now

 

I can't say this is your issue ....(again, I'm a bit of a novice)...
While on a trip out west, 1,300 mi from home, I stopped for short break only to find my Mini would not start.
Exactly the symptom you describe. After many tries, it finally started. This happened several times. By the time I arrived home the clutch finally went.
All the while; The clutch pedal felt normal and the car shifted fine. Without being aware of it at the time; The only way I was able to get the Mini to start was to jam the clutch pedal to the floor.
Interesting enough -That was just enough to allow the car to start.
Although this may have nothing to do with your/the starting issues...It might be something you might want to try.

 

Did your old starter have the heat shield and did you install it with the new starter? Heat soaking can kill a starter quickly.

 

My mini did have both heat Shields which I had to remove/move to replace starter, but I did put them back into place the best that I could, I had some issues getting the soft one back on(the one that goes over starter) but I was able to get it back on and bolted down.. so i don’t think even if it was slightly off that it would burn it off in as little as a week

 

Please check your engine ground strap for corrosion and be sure the nut is good and tight. If it's a bad connction, the car won't start.

 

I am new to minis too so kinda shooting in the dark. If you replaced the starter and it fixed it for a while and is now doing it again I would say starter. Clutch safety switch or ignition switch could be ruled out for the working for a while after replacing the starter. Now the anti theft system could play into this but don’t know how it works on a mini.

 

Simple things first. Actually test the battery and check the battery cable connections. These cars are pretty finicky about low voltage.

 

battery

 

where would I find the engine ground strap?

 

I just purchased a new battery and I still have the same problem

 

I found in mine I had a 0.38v power drain at the antenna amplifier. My car was providing power to the antenna all the time, so when I would go to start my car it would always not start the first time. Since unplugging it I have not had a problem starting it since.

 

Open the hood. Look on the passenger side and you will see a thick, black insulated electrical lead that is held on one end by a bolt and nut on the body and, at the other end on the engine mount. Loosen and then tighten securely to break any oxides that may be inhibiting a good ground. If loose or corroded, the car will not start.

 

Have a new ignition switch comin in tomorrow, gonna try tearing apart the old one and see if the connections are bad, I’ve seen some threads of people having the same issue and it being the ignition switch, will also take a look at the ground strap and if neither of those work I will take yet another look at the starter and make sure all bolts are tight

 

Do the simple thing first. Check the ground strap at both ends. Then, if that doesn't solve it, do the ignition switch.

 

My bet is the fuel pump.

 

Have you checked to see if you voltage at the trigger wire while turning the key?

 

I hear the fuel pump kick on when in “on” position before I turn key, don’t think that would be the problem since I can hear it kick on

Would that cause it to not even turn over? Wouldn’t it still crank if fuel pump is bad?

 

If I’m being honest I would not even know how to do this

 

Well just got home from work and checked the ground strap off of engine mount.. took it off and immediately thought I had fixed my problem. The wire was being cut into and contacting the hood latch. So I took it off completely and taped up where the protective coating was cut, and cleaned up the connections.

went to put it back on and I was tightening the connection to the motor mount, and the bolt hole snapped off where the ground strap was bolted on.

My new question is: I was able to push the broken off piece connected to the strap back onto the motor mount where it looked like it was not broken. If the strap was the problem, would it still start even with that broken hole on motor Mount as long as they’re touching? Or would it need to be welded on for it to be properly grounded? Will add photos below

 

This is where it broke

This is how it was sitting when it failed to start(still broken just pushed back where it was)

You can see where I taped, that was where it was cutting into ground strap

 

Seems like the ground strap was severely fatigued. It only makes sense (to me), that the condition/connections were insufficient for powering the car.
I think your local auto parts store may have an inexpensive replacement. You may have to improvise what you buy but at least you'll have a better ground connection.
It might be worth a shot.
Just a thought.

 

what do I connect it to though now that the bolt hole it usually connects to is broke off the motor Mount?

 

Lots of corrosion! See the big nut and protruding threads on the top of the motor mount? That's your best location for a temporary fix location. You'll need to purchase a similar but longer ground strap with a lug sufficiently big enough to fit that size bolt. After you do your temporary fix, you should be able to purchase a good, used casting from someone scrapping out their MINI.
p.s.: A word of caution. If you elect to install the lug from the new ground strap underneath the nut on the top of the engine mount, be sure to support the engine from underneath before you remove the nut.

 

I would change the ground strap. When I did my pulley I forgot to tighten my ground strap and there was a shock between me and my dad. I tightened it down and started right up no issues.I would also clean the connections

 

Kaleb
The ground strap provides the ground between the engine & the frame/body. So you can use any convenient nuts or bolts in either place. Just be sure the surfaces are sanded down to bright metal - clean, bright & tight.