I parked my 2003 Mini Cooper S for a while to work on it, put a fresh battery in it, (made sure it is fully charged) and now when turning the key, dash lights flash, headlamps flash, clicking sounds can be heard from both somewhere around the steering column and the engine compartment, but only sometimes. I took a video, and posted it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFgo...ature=youtu.be

Thanks in advance for anyone and everyone who contributes!

 

bump

 

Have you measured the voltage you are getting before trying to start and while cranking? I would start there.

What sort of work did you do? Any chance the engine ground (on the right side engine mount near the belt tensioner) isn't connected? The battery positive wire on the starter not connected, etc?

 

Clean the terminals of the battery and cable clamps. Check the voltage of the battery. Looking at your video, it looks like you have a ground fault. Check those connections. Also look at the engine ground on the passenger's side of the engine bay, from the motor mount bracket to the crush tube on the frame.

 

+1 for checking battery connections and ground connections. The one thing I'll add is make sure your terminal bolts are good and snug but don't over tighten them, they can't be bought individually and you have to buy a whole $10 ground wire to get the bolt, ask me how I know...