We were driving home and the car temperature was pegged in the middle when we started smelling something electrical (we think) burning. We turned off all the accessories (wipers, fan, heated seats etc.). Then when we were stopped at a light heard a scraping noise that would come and go. We got it home and opened the hood and there was steam from the radiator fins (although it is 25 degrees F here and snowing so that could have caused the steam?). I did notice the radiator fan was not turning. Turned the car off went back out a couple hours later and it won't turn over. All the lights come on but it just clicks. The dash light dims when turning the key , so something is pulling power. I tried jumping with a portable jumper, but same symptoms.

I did do some searching but I haven't found anyone with all the same symptoms.

Any thoughts welcome!

 

What model, year and how many miles? CEL or EML light on?

 

Yeah sorry, did not realize I have not set my sig.

2005 R53 with 113k on it. No CEL or EML lights, only TPMS light

 

OK, might be the Crank Pulley/Harmonic Damper. Belt could be slipping so your alternator is not charging correctly and your supercharger that turns the water pump may also be slipping. The burning smell could be the belt slipping.

Need to jack the car up, remove the passenger wheel and then look at the Crank Pulley. If there is allot of rubber dust or if you can push the pulley in so that it will contact the engine, chances are its shot.

 

Thanks! I will give that a shot tomorrow if the snow stops.

I'm not sure though that would explain the fact that it wont start or turn over while being jumped?

 

You should check the ground strap above the belt, near the passenger side engine motor mount. If its tight, you should also check to make sure the starter solenoid is not shot.

 

Good evening all

So went out this morning and the car was completely dead! I tried jumping it whit a jumper pack and with my pick up, hooking to the terminal in the engine bay. I checked the grounding strap, was tight and terminals clean. I am currently trickle charging the battery, hoping I might have more luck tomorrow. Not sure if I have a dead short somewhere or a shot alternator?

Will keep you posted what I find tomorrow. Thanks for the tips thus far.

 

Detension the belt and try to start the car with a fresh charge on the battery, I wonder if you have a locked up alternator.

 

Detroit Tuned = MINI Pros

 

nkfry - thanks for the info, when you say detension the belt what do you mean?
My plans for when I get home was to remove the belt and try to spin the alternator by hand, I was also thinking the alternator was the problem.

 

Detension the belt tensioner, and try starting the car. If it starts, then you've got a seized component in the belt drive, which usually comes back to an alternator, and occasionally a SC. I haven't seen it on the MINIs, but I have seen AC compressors lock up on other cars.

 

Thanks, will give that a try!

 

@nkfry - You where spot on!
I fabed up a tentioner tool yesterday and got the belt detentioned. Got my hand in there but could not really grip either the SC or alternator to spin them. Started the car and it fired right up! Belt was squealing like a pig! Everything but the alternator spinned! So new alternator it is.
So this leads me to some questions.

1. I see vendors out there selling Denso rebuilds (Pelican, autohauss, Rockauto, oembimmerpart) for around $250-ish, and then see some other selling for $ 650-ish. So what is the difference? Anyone have experience with the Denso units?
2. Other than the Alternator and belt, what else should I replace while in there? Car has 115K on it.
3. Should I do anything with the SC? First experience with a SC car

Thanks for all the help on this! Great Forum and resource!

 

Found a new Denso Unit for $280 shipped, thoughts?

 

I think there are threads out there about aftermarket alternators not always being the best.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the OE units ARE made by Denso...

 

I was also under the impression that the Denso units where OEM? That is why I am only looking at Denso. Correct me if I, and others apparently, am wrong.

 

I figured I will close out this thread for future readers.

It turns out that @nkfry was spot on! The alternator seized and in the process destroyed the belt. I ended up replacing the tensioner, as its damper was totally dry, replaced the new damper bushings with the Powerflex bushings, new idler, belt and of course a rebuilt Denso alternator from ECS.

Car is back up and running,

Thanks for all the help on this!