Hello,

I am writing this for a friend, and trying to help him get his 2006 Mini Cooper S back up and running. So, here's whats going on.

The motor was rebuilt professionally about 6 months ago. However, my friend had removed the motor, and put it back in himself. The reinstallation of the motor went well, and when he had it back in, he decided to start it up. When he fired it up for the first time, he had no coolant in the system (I believe he was over-anxious ) But, it fired right up, no problem. I was standing there watching, and can verify that it ran for less then 15 seconds.... so I doubt that the engine overheated. He then fired it up for his dad about 10 minutes later, and ran it for another 15 seconds, no issues. So, all was well.

The next day, he put coolant in the system, and was installing the exhaust and other small things. He unhooked the positive cable going to the alternator during working and forgot to hook it back up. When he went to start the car the next time, it sparked as it grounded on the frame. He quickly hooked it back to the alternator, but now the car wont start AT ALL. We have tried nearly everything, and nothing will work. The care with turn over, but won't start.

Here is the list of what we have done this far:

- Sent ECU to a shop that rebuilds them to be looked at, they said something was fried, and repaired it. I'm assuming this happened when the wire sparked.
- Compression check (good)
- Reset the ECU
- Replaced the camshaft position sensor with OEM part
- Replaced the crankshaft position sensor with OEM part
- Replaced both TMAP sensors
- Check for spark (good)
- Check for good spray of fuel at injectors (good)
- Replace all injectors
- Spray starting fluid into intake (no difference noticed)
- Checked & tested all fuses and relays, even the flat fuses below the fuse box (good)

Also, here is a video of the car trying to start so you can see what it sounds like:
At this point, we are completely stumped. We have no idea what to even try and fix next. Obviously, everything was working properly, as it had started twice. If anyone has any ideas, we would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks!

 

Have you scanned the Mini for fault codes? Maybe the EWS (immobilizer)
was damaged?

 

Thanks for your reply Pbadore. I know that he ran a scan a few weeks ago, but I don't think it brought up anything to telling. I am fairly certain there was nothing about the immobilizer either. I will talk to him today and get the exact codes that came up.

Also, I know that the starter is turning the motor over, but it is not starting. If the immobilizer was the issue, wouldn't the starter be disabled?

 

Yes EWS does inhibit the starter motor. I think the EWS also affects other systems too. I would try your repaired ECU in another MCS to make sure that
all the damage was repaired. But I am not sure the 2006 ECU can be moved
to another car. I have not tried any swaps since my 06 MCS in now awaiting crash repairs.

 

Yeah, unfortunately I don't beleive you can move the ECU to another MCS. The ECU would need to be reprogrammed for that specific vehicle. You can always count on Mini to make everything difficult and costly

I was hoping we just missed something, but it looks like it is just gonna have to be taken to the dealer. Just sucks we gotta tow it almost 2 hours to the closest delearship

 

Sounds like the dme and ews need to be realigned. Unfortunately it will require a dealer to perform this.

 

Check all fuses and relays. When he sparked it he could of blown one or more.

 

When a car will turn over but not fire, there are only 2 things to check usually. Spark and fuel.

 

Mimi Cooper s won't start.. he cranks but won't start it told me it was the speed sensor I replaced the speed sensor still won't start I was driving fine I was driving I turned it off and never turned it back on won't start