Wouldn't start, now has high pitched whine
 

Looking for a little assistance. I own a 2012 MCS and have zero complaints. Daily driver with a 110 mile daily commute. Maintained regularly.

I usually take the car through a car wash. I am Sure it's coincidental but both times I washed the car at home, it refused to start the next morning. First time was about 6 mos ago. Put a trickle charger on the battery and after a lot of cranking it sputtered to life. Mechanic was unable to identify any reason for the malfunction. It's run perfectly, until I washed it (exterior only) yesterday. Refused to start. Finally able to get it to catch. Reminded me of the old days when the timing would be off in my truck and it'd just crank but not catch. Then it started. Ran into town. Starts up each time.

But now I have a high whine. Sounds like the turbo but it never sounded like this. Also seems to wind rpm a little higher before dropping into next gear. No emissions. No indicator lights.

Anyone experience anything similar or have ideas? I will be scheduling to go into shop because regardless, this is a sweet little car. Thanks in advance.

Curious, I'd check for possibly water in the driver side footwell area. Do you notice any signs of water inside the vehicle? Do you hear this whine at idle? Have you popped your hood to see if you can listen closer to where it may be coming from?

No observed water either in or out of vehicle. It was pulled into the garage after washing and i didn't see any standing water.

Drive into town this AM, ran fine with just a hint of the whine I heard yesterday. In thinking more about it last night, the sound was similar to when in sport mode so I turned it on after a few miles and then off when I came into urban traffic. Quieted down. Maybe an electrical signal/glitch? Still no indicator or other flag.

Maybe not a lot of help here, but if the battery is weak, the alternator can make a whining sound as it tries to keep the voltage up to spec. I would have the battery tested, just to eliminate that possibility.

The first time this happened, I had the battery tested and system scoped for electrical short or disruption. Came out negative and battery was strong. Didn't do this this week.

Mini is running fine. Think I will refrain from washing the car at the house. But if anyone else has this issue, please share. Thanks for all your comments. Jill

Try and get a video of the sound with your phone, if we can hear it we might be able to identify what it might be.