Starter Doesn't Turn Engine Over,Only Solitary Click
 

:confused: My problem is intermittant.My car:2008 R56 MCS JCW Alta:cai/turbo inlet tube/boost tubes/intercooler air diverter(all OK'd by Dr Matt Richter,and they do add responsiveness and power),no other engine up grades.2-3x/mo I put the key (watch fobb/starship enterprize into it's docking station)into it's recepticle.Everything lights up,radio on etc.I press the starter button and nothing happens other than a quiet solitary"click"from the engine compartment.The first time that this happened,I rolled backwards,popped the clutch and all OK.It didn't happen again for a week.Since then I've learned the following routine when it happens;key in press button nothing,key out,key in press button nothing,key out,key in press button Varoom-all set and it won't happen again for a week or so.Now I know that when I take it to Mini of Dallas,she'll act like a lady,work perfectly,they'll roll they're eyes and say" bring it back if it happens again."So.....anyone have any ideas? Jason Montague:confused:

What happens if you try to start the car without pressing in the clutch? Do you get the same single click? I'm wondering if perhaps the microswitch on the clutch pedal is acting up.

I haven't tried that yet but I will,right now.I have to go out for a few hours.I'll have the answer later tonight. Jason Montague:thumbsup:

heppened to my mcs, the battery was low. i hooked it up to a battery charger at high charge rate for 5mins and it started right up and i haven't had the issue return.

Could also be the starter solenoid starting to fail. If the MINI has one, don't know but this was common years ago.

:thumbsup: No click and obviously no start.It just turns itself back off. Jason

I've checked my volt gauge when this happens and it's putting out>14volts. Thanks Jason:thumbsup:

Well, I guess it's not the clutch switch. I noticed that the owner's manual says to set the parking brake or press the brake pedal down before starting the car - is that merely a suggestion, or is there another starter interlock for the brake?

As for the battery, try checking the voltage again after the car's been sitting overnight - if you're reading 14+ Volts with the engine off, the battery hasn't "settled back down" after being charged by the alternator. The battery-off voltage shouldn't be more than 12.6 V if the car's been sitting overnight. I'm not holding out much hope for it being the battery, though - it's rare for a car to go from just clicking to starting if the battery's the only problem.

This is along the lines of what I was thinking.Some years ago,Fords,when they had a low battery would just click click click click. I guess I'll have to check with the dealer.It's 70 some miles away in Dallas and I'd honest to God rather go to the local moslem dentist dressed in a jesus suit than go to the dealer. Thanks Jason:thumbsup:

How much further away is Moritz in Arlington? I was pretty happy with them the last time I had one of our MINIs worked on there.

Thanks for the info.Will comply with these suggestions. Jason:thumbsup:

Mini of Dallas is always good to me and their prices are in line with everyone elses.They always offer loaners but where do I go?I'm >70 mi from home.It's like the old song"Lord I'm 500 miles away from Home." Thanks Jason:thumbsup:

Ok - when you made the "rather go to the dentist" comment, I took that to mean you were dissatisfied with MoD. I guess you were just talking about the 140-mile round trip itself and not your particular dealer.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.I appologise for being a sarcastic jerk. Thanks again Jason Montague:thumbsup:

Oh, no worries - I didn't take your comment as sarcastic. There are plenty of MINI owners that would rather do just about anything than have to visit their local dealer - I'm one of them.