I have a 2005 manual coupe (non S). My wife went out to start the car last Friday and nothing would happen. Lights came on, but no cranking. I wasn't there so I don't know much more than that. I told her to move the battery cables around and after about 10 minutes of moving the cables and trying to start, it started. So I assumed it was a bad battery connection.

Saturday I go out to start the car and it doesn't start. I get a click from the solenoid, but nothing else. I tried cleaning the posts/terminals and tightening them. Nothing. I tried jumping the car. Nothing. I just get the solenoid click. All the lights are on and there are no warning lights.

Does this sound like a starter issue? If so, can anyone provide me with steps on what to do to remove the starter? Thanks.

 

Sounds like a dead battery to me, you might want to get it tested out. Mini's are known to act very oddly if not powered properly.

I had the same symptoms as you when my battery had a bad cell. Worth testing before getting the car checked out.

Let us know what happens.

 

Thanks! I'll take the battery out first I guess and get it tested. I got a new battery about a year ago so it'd be a bit odd, but I guess not unheard of.

 

Pretty sure it's the battery.
The OEM ones on 1st gen cars are good for about 5 years and then it's time for replacement.

 

I replaced the original battery last year when the alternator died. Haven't had any problems from the electrical system since, but I'll definitely get it tested. Thanks for the advice.

I tried jumping the car and it didn't give me anything if that helps.

 

That sounds good on paper but, I just replaced my old battery and the electrical bugs are still present. These cars appear to be electrical nightmares at times with no rhyme or reason, no?

 

If the battery has a dead cell, jumping will not work.

 

Didn't know that. Thanks!

This car has been an electrical and cooling nightmare since I've owned it :( Still love it though.

 

If there's a dead cell, it should be picked up by the tests at O'Reilly's/Autozone/etc right?

 

Yup they can diagnose the issue.

 

That's not entirely true.
You should be able to get much more than a click from the solenoid by jumping with a decent set of cables.
You should be able to start the car.
The car will even run off the alternator after you start it and take off the cables, but if you stop, you won't be able to re-start without jumping again.

 

That's what I thought. Hmm. I still got nothing besides a click after 10 minutes of charging from another vehicle.

I ordered a starter yesterday just in case, so I'm going home in about 20 minutes and I'll take the battery to have it checked. If it's the battery then thank god, if not, I have the starter just in case.

 

So I went ahead and got the battery tested. they said it was a good battery.

So I picked up the starter I ordered and decided to try it. Got the exhaust manifold off, heat shield off and took off the wires on the starter. But now I can't get the mounting bolts loose. They're ridiculously hard. I've tried everything I could think of and they just won't give. Does anyone have any tips? I tried the looseners and lubricants and nada. Ugh. I'll try again tomorrow but I'm scared of stripping the bolts. Any help would be appreciated.