Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Trouble starting when cold

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 11-11-2018, 03:16 PM
cavaliers60's Avatar
cavaliers60
cavaliers60 is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Indiana
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 14 Posts
Trouble starting when cold

I’ve been having some instances where my car has a lot of trouble starting in the mornings. Seems to be really apparent when it’s cold outside. This morning, it almost didn’t start at all. Almost like the cranking power of the battery is bad, but it’s a brand new battery from this summer! Also a new alternator. Curious if there is anything specially weird with these coopers and winter temps?
 
  #2  
Old 11-14-2018, 04:28 AM
Tgriffithjr's Avatar
Tgriffithjr
Tgriffithjr is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 767
Received 80 Likes on 76 Posts
Heck all your electrical connections to battery and alternator and body grounds. How cold is it? Cold weather stresses batteries and if your connections are not solid it will be more sluggish than what you might see in warmer weather.
 
  #3  
Old 11-14-2018, 06:40 AM
Fly'n Brick's Avatar
Fly'n Brick
Fly'n Brick is online now
6th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: In the here and now, for now.
Posts: 4,896
Received 367 Likes on 311 Posts
Mr T should also have asked how old the battery is. 5 to 6 years is the onset of it's end of life and cold WX does add to the poor old thing's stress.
 
  #4  
Old 11-14-2018, 07:12 AM
Racingguy04's Avatar
Racingguy04
Racingguy04 is offline
5th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 931
Received 118 Likes on 95 Posts
Does it crank and crank without starting? or is it hesitant to crank? with a battery that was new this summer, your battery is most likely not the cause (unless you were unlucky and got a bad one). Mine sometimes takes a few cranks to get going on cold mornings. I've found that if I give the fuel pump time to prime, it starts a little faster. So you might try letting it sit for like 5-10 seconds with the key turned on, but not cranking and see if that helps it start faster.

You also might have a look at your spark plugs, spark plug wires, and coil, especially terminal 3 if you have the oem coil as it's prone to corroding.
 
  #5  
Old 11-14-2018, 07:16 AM
megaDan's Avatar
megaDan
megaDan is offline
4th Gear
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SE WI
Posts: 453
Received 178 Likes on 114 Posts
Originally Posted by cavaliers60
I’ve been having some instances where my car has a lot of trouble starting in the mornings. Seems to be really apparent when it’s cold outside. This morning, it almost didn’t start at all. Almost like the cranking power of the battery is bad, but it’s a brand new battery from this summer! Also a new alternator. Curious if there is anything specially weird with these coopers and winter temps?
I had this exact same issue (albeit in another german car) last winter. New battery didn't solve the issue. It turned out my starter was dying. All the symptoms were weak cranking which made me think battery. If the car is cranking, I wouldn't suspect wiring. Either battery or starter. If the battery is good, go after the starter.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MCSmoonshine
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
5
11-02-2012 03:39 AM
UKCountryman
R60 :: Countryman Talk (2010-2015)
5
04-18-2012 08:02 AM
orcadog
Drivetrain (Cooper S)
13
04-21-2010 09:25 PM
sdv515
Stock Problems/Issues
4
05-16-2006 07:42 PM
Kimini1
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
8
09-11-2002 06:12 PM



Quick Reply: Trouble starting when cold



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:59 PM.