I have a 2009 JCW with 35K miles. I use it intermittently, and I changed the oil, started the car, ran fine for 5 seconds then stopped and will not restart. Turns over fine, but will not catch. Sounds like electrical. No codes, no engine light, no service request. Any ideas where to look?

 

You could try unhooking the battery for a couple minutes. Maybe that would allow system to reset.

 

With no codes, you'll have to go old school to start: Spark + air + fuel = bang. Spark: You can pull a coil and plug, crank the engine and see if there is spark from electrode to ground. Air: assume its there for now. Fuel: Pull an injector, turn the engine and see if something shoots out. Let us know what you find. This is what I would do, others may have a different approach.

 

We are of the same mind.... I had to gather the tools to remove the spark plugs and run a compression test. I'll check for spark at the same time. I've tried a few things and have never smelled gasoline in the tailpipe. I sold my MINI manual, the thick one, just a few months back so I don't know where to look for the fuse for the electric fuel pump...

 

newtis.info

spray quick start/starter fluid to see if it starts.

 

Well time for an update. I have had the compression checked and all four cylinders are the same. I showed the values to a local mine repair shop and he says I am good to go; nothing wrong with pistons ring or valves. I also smell a bit of gas during all this cranking and swapping of plugs so I have to be believe I have air, fuel but no spark. I took out a plug and inserted back into holder, held it against the motor lift metal on the engine, cranked and did not see a spark. So there is something electrical that is going on that allows the engine to crank without any error codes, but no spark. You would think I would get at least one cylinder to catch, but nothing. Is there some system that shuts off the ignition but would allow the car to crank over?

I don't have a troubleshooting manual so I'm really stuck.

 

When you crank the car, do you see the RPM lifting a bit? if not, then the crankshaft position sensor is faulty or connection from it to the ECU is. If it moves, then check the ECU relay next to the ecu under relay K37 https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...201212/RSW2KbE

 

I do get a little rise in the RPM needle when I crank. I will look at that Relay, thanks!

Russ

 

I had a similar issue, engine would turn over but would not start. I found corrosion on two of the connectors that plug into the bottom area of the fuse distribution module.
These connectors I assume go to the key fob security, it allows the car to crank over, but is preventing something in the start / spark sequence to not activate.

Easy to check, is your carpet damp in the passenger footwell area?


C-F and C-G had several pins which were damaged from corrosion. Damp carpet cannot be ignored.

 

We followed the same journey. One YouTube video lead me to those same connectors which were corroded. Bought a replacement fuse box (in your picture) and new female pines from ECSTuning and a few hours later I was up and running.

Big Thanks to EVERYONE who contributed to my path towards resolution of this issue! This forum has the greatest members in the world!

 

BlackBart- right on!
Im glad I was on the right track when i read your issue.

What really bothers me is that Mini BMW has a recall on the Footwell module located on the drivers side.

In the recall they state to park the car outside on the street, because it is a fire hazard.

Since the roads are crowned to allow for rain to drain into the gutters thus the passenger side, this issue is now happening on the passenger side as well.

I would like to know what side is covered in the recall on the rhd cars.

Cool community, we need to all work together on these R56s

I created a compressive report if anyone want to view my findings on the water ingress issue, hoping I could get my module replaced. Mini is quite terrible on any customer complaints.