Hello all,

We recently purchased a Countryman S, two weeks ago, and are having an issue that I have no idea on what it could be.

Last week I came out to a dead battery, charged it up and checked and nothing was left on. Three days later same issue, charged it up and everything was fine. I then got into the habit of when I turn the car off in the garage waiting to make sure that all the lights are off so that nothing is killing the battery. This is when I heard a clicking noise from the engine bay; the best way I can describe the sound is a solenoid opening and closing. It makes this sound approximately every 90 seconds or so and I'm pretty sure this is what's killing the battery. I looked and listened and could not see anything moving.

The location of the sound, standing in front of the car looking down at the motor, seems to start on the right side of the block as a light "engagement" sound and then to the left of the block near the firewall it sounds like a valve opening.

We live 4 hours from the dealer and have an appointment next week but if anyone knows what could be causing this I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, it doesn't matter if the car is locked or not - hood open or closed the sound is still present.

Thanks in advance!!
Steve

 

the load/discharge and the sound would suggest the starter solenoid--used to be a relay in old cars, but now usually part of the starter itself. If this is it, your fix is likely a new starter or something in the ignition system--depends on whether the solenoid is the "problem" or it is something upstream electrically that is causing the solenoid to engage erroneously.

Regardless, sounds like a trip to dealer to me for the fix.