Help, Car won't start - very strange things happening....
 

Hi all,

I have an R50 with automatic transmission....

Went to lunch, came out and car wouldn't start.

When I turn the key, all dash lights come on as usual.
But there's no click or turn over from engine.

Then I start noticing strange things like the windows would roll up very slowly and jittery, remote does not lock / unlock doors and if I turn AC on, it's not blowing air at all.

Oddly, the AC DID blow maybe twice when I kept trying to see if the car would turn over.

Took battery out and had it tested, it's good.

I HAVE been having issues where the car won't start but I would just move the shifter from park and back into park and it would solve the problem.

That's not solving the problem either.

Any ideas?

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Tim

Check the ground where the battery cable mounts..

Thanks for the reply!

I tightened it when I put the battery back in....

Or do you mean at the other end, and if so, where is the other end?

By the way, I did try jumping it - nada.

Engine to frame battery ground. Try that one.

You don't mention if it is the original battery or how old it is. So IMO you need to have the battery checked. MINIs are known for weird things happening when the battery is going bad.

Battery was Checked, it's good.

So the negative cable is the common denominator in everything I've been reading.
I'll have a look at that tomorrow.

Anything else it might be?

Thank you all

A good battery doesn't mean good for a MINI.. just an FYI. Try grounding strap. If that doesnt work then try a new battery...

Check;

Ground cable.
Battery cable.
Starter cable.

And make sure that the battery is 100%.. Fully charged.. Etc..

Ok, took both battery cables off again and back on.
So both are tight.

Where does the negative cable go from the battery and where is the ground strap located?

Passenger side of the motor just in front of the motor mount. Black wire about 1/2" diameter. You'll know it when you see it. About 10 inches long.

Well, case solved....

Starter was dead.

AND, a wire broke from the Body Control module.

Figured I'd update in case anyone runs into the same issues.

Thanks to all who replied.