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

Old Nov 11, 2018 | 03:16 PM
  #1  
cavaliers60's Avatar
cavaliers60
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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?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2018 | 04:28 AM
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Tgriffithjr
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From: Texas
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.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2018 | 06:40 AM
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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.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2018 | 07:12 AM
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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.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2018 | 07:16 AM
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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.
 
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