Got in yesterday and no start, hooked up charger, and it started.

Went and replaced the 4.5 year old battery, and drove all day.

Tried to start it to go to work this morning, no start. Went to work in our other mini, started after being hooked up to charger.

Do we need a new starter? Will this part fit?


Tom

 

I do the aftermarket oem like bosh/ valeo/ etc https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2014-...rical/Starter/ Watch amazon and ebay as their fitment guide for MINI is horrible as they dont know they makes and use data dumps from supplier that cross up part numbers all the time.

I would check the alternator first, it maybe draining the battery as it will not charge. If its not the alt I would check the starters wire connection, aka ground connections first. Then last a new starter. Starters are usually the last to go for MINI.

 

Thank you, I will check.

I was thinking it could just be a corroded electrical connection and I might try a clean first.

 

Ok thanks

 

Well, looking at the contacts on the starter, they seem in pretty good shape. The starter seems impossible to reach on my jack stands with this car BTW.

I took off and cleaned my battery terminals.

The car has started now a few times reliably and the battery also is reading greater than 90%.

Could it be the key fob getting old? This generation mini does not have a battery that can be replaced in the key fob . So my thought is that it may be going bad.

Tom

 

For cars with comfort access (little button on door handle) like my R58 JCW you have the battery, well 2 one recharge and one replaceable.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/B00D4522AY/ Panasonic version. Recharge Battery (can be replaced but some work).

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/CR2032/ For comfort access only cars with removable battery on back. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tery-life.html




Most of the time if the battery on the key fob does not unlock the doors from the outside, it will not start the car. If it does unlock and lock the CAS system should see it.

The start stop switches can also fail or the clutch switch if its a manual: https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/61359299332/

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-t-start.html




Also make sure the main battery terminal under the windshield cowl is clean and study connection. Last thing i would do is starter.

 

Good stuff.

That is funny... Cut apart fob, desolder, resolder, glue back together.

I can do it, but did mini really not expect the battery to need to be replaced ever?

Tom

2005 convertible, 98,000 miles
2013 roadster, 58,000 miles
2016 countryman, 97,000 miles

 

Yes the battery of the key fob can be replaced!

 

Alright,

Trouble with it starting again last week. Hooked up the charger and it started right up.

Went back to Advanced and they checked the battery we bought a month ago. Said there is a parasitic draw and could not complete the battery test.

Does anyone have a good idea on how to check for parasitic draws in a roadster?

Tom

 

It all sounds a bit odd.

First, did they mean they couldn't check the battery charge when the car is running? Because I would think you can always check the battery condition by unplugging the battery and have it tested. If the battery is bad you may not be able to test it. I've had that issue once. I changed the battery and all went to normal. This was not for a mini but the principle is the same.

Secondly, once you know the battery isn't bad, you probably can measure the battery level over a day time while note used to see if it drains when the car isn't used. At a minimum this could inform you if you have a power leak or a charging issue. Keep it mind there is always a small drain but should be minor in normal condition.

After that if it's a power leak it's a little trickier to identify... Is it a ground issue, a system that draws more power than it should, à short or corroded situation ? Hard to track down without being an expert :/