I have a 2004 Mini Cooper base, automatic with 97,000 miles. Last week, I was driving and the car just died. No symptoms prior to dying, no CEL. Now, it cranks strong, but won’t start. I pulled the fuel line and turned the car to the on position and fuel flows. I checked for spark and it has spark. I looked at the fue box and can’t find any bad fuses. Looking for suggestions on other places to look for the problem.

It’s an automatic so no pop starting.

ok, that’s what I initially thought you meant then I saw the post below about “pop” starting a car with similar issues.

No, it sounds fine when cranking.

No, the engine sounds normal when cranking. The timing chain, tensioner, water pump were all replaced about 1000 miles again.

I think hits going to turn out to be the fuel pump. Even though I get some fuel from the fuel line when it is popped off the pressure regulator, I hooked up a pressure gauge to it and get no pressure. I also can’t hear the pump kick on when I turn the car to the on position. I just replaced the pump in late December, but it oooks like I will be doing it again...

So, took the back seat out to take a look at the pump and it turns out it is turning on when the key is turned on. I pulled the fuel line again and cranked the engine and fuel does come out of the line, just not with much pressure. I pulled the line that runs from the fuel filter assembly and blew air through the line ensure their were no blockages. I then put a rag under the fuel filter housing outlet and left the fuel line off and cranked the engine. Fuel did come out but just not at a high pressure. I pulled the fuel rail so I could see the injectors and cranked the engine and very low levels of fuel are coming out of 2-3 of the injectors. It just doesn’t appear that the fuel filter is pushing the fuel at the pressure it should. Could the fuel pump be working but just not pushing the fuel at a high enough level? I’m stumped!

Thanks for your reply. To answer your question, yes, I replaced the entire fuel filter and fuel filter assembly when I replaced the fuel pump.

To close this issue, when I pulled the fuel pump out, the plastic fuel line that runs from the fuel pump to the fuel filter assembly had broken in half. Absolutely makes sense now why I could hear the fuel pump running but it wasn’t getting no fuel.