Hi,

We just got our 05 Cooper S Cabrio out of storage and it didn't start. Original battery so that's to be expected. Replaced battery, but it is still slow to start, kind of 'chuff chuffs' the catches. Sounds like a weak battery, but that's new. I will probably get the starting sytem tested. Any suggestions? Could it be the starter? If so, how hard is it to relace it?

Thanks,
Perry

 

How long in storage? Did you put stablizier in the gas before storing? Change the plugs and add some new fuel.

 

It was in storage for @ 6 months. After it started it runs fine. It's just the starter seems to crank slowly. The engine catches and I don't have any of the cold start stumble problems described here. Just wondering if it's a bad battery, even though new, or a bad starter, or starter ground/connection?

Perry

 

Double check all connections and then have the battery checked out.

 

That's the first step for me. Even though the battery is brand new, I'm going to have it 'stress tested' and then look at the connections underneath. The terminal connections were spotless a the battery is in the trunk, so it may be underneath.

Perry

 

Anyone have any issues with the starter? Corroded terminals? Still have a hard start problem. Sometimes just clicks, others cranks slow. I need to do some checking. Any suggestions?

 

The starter can be tested by Autozone or another McAutoParts store. If all the connections are tight, etc., my money would be on the starter. Low battery voltage will increase the current draw on the starter. If you crank and crank and crank on a starter, you'll exceed the duty capacity and it won't work right anymore.

I trashed a VW starter once when the battery was low from overcranking it (I was angry, stupid, young and hard-headed. Since then, I've gotten a little older.)

 

Double check the grounds....so look in the engine bay, by the engine mount.
Also look in the box NEXT to the battery in the trunk for corrosion...it is a battery disconnect that activates if the airbag deploys...water can get in, and corrode the connections.

 

gbtr6.....ever find a resolution?


I bought my 2006 MCS in December and it has always started slow (slow to crank and slow to fire). It's never failed to start, but it doesn't inspire confidence. The strange thing is that it actually fires more quickly when it's stone cold (like in the morning). If I shut it off and start it right up again, it takes a little longer sometimes, but isn't too bad.....but if it sits for a couple of hours, it takes a quite a few cranks before it fires. That was leading me to think it was fuel (pressure) related, but the comments from some of the nice folks here got me thinking about the battery and starter cables since it cranks slow. Can't quite figure how the warmth of the engine might fit in though. I'll probably inspect the cables and see what I see. Maybe in the spring go ahead and do a fuel filter change for good measure. The car only has 40k on it (oh, and when it got really cold here in the NE, I went ahead a put a new battery in it...fearing I might get stranded....no improvement). I may look into putting a larger gauge cable in even if I don't find any corrosion to try to get it to crank a little faster....not sure if that'll make it fire a little quicker but it'll make me feel a little better. I hate how slow it cranks.

 

My 2006 MCS starting acting the same as yours last summer ripHST. I just took it out of storage today, so we'll see how it acts this year. Did you figure out the problem?

 

Hey New06.....sorry for the delay.


No, I haven't actually. It hasn't been REAL trouble yet, but I've noticed that as it's gotten warmer, it's become more of an issue and thus worrying me more. My working theory (that haven't had a chance to test yet) is that I've got some corrosion/resistance in the battery or starter cables. I'm planning to check the terminals, but I'm also considering replacing the cables with something a little bigger and see if I get a quicker spin on the starter and a stronger spark. I suspect there's more to the problem than that, but I'll start there. The temperature thing puzzles me a bit.


I'll post my results when I get a chance to work on it....maybe someone will chime in with there experience in the mean time.