I went out to start my car yesterday evening and it was completely dead. That is, the ignition switch did nothing, no radio, no lights, no start, no clicking solenoid, no fuel pump, etc... nothing

The interior lights worked and the locks and windows worked...

I popped the hood and removed the engine relay and replaced it and pushed on the ECO cables and it started right up, just like normal.

Since I messed with more than one thing, I'm not sure what the problem was (but I suspect the relay). Does that relay (the one identified with the motor logo) really control power to everything that the ignition switch controls? If so, it sounds like I better keep another one handy...

John S

 

That's what happened when my battery went dead but if you jiggled the relay....go with that.

 

It definitely isn't a dead battery... The interior lights worked (i didn't try the headlights) and the locks/windows worked. So I had some power. After I removed and replaced the relay and messed with the ECU cables, it started up just like normal, I didn't check the battery, but it cranked perfectly, etc.

Also, when I initially tried to start it, when I turned the key, the dash lit up, but then everything went dead.

John

 

When I had the death battery on my MINI, the interior lights worked, it just didn't started.

 

Regardless of the effect jiggling the connectors had, replace the battery. OEM MINI battery life is three years, anything more than that, you’re riding on luck.

 

Hasn't MINI USA conducted a battery recall on pre-05 models?

If I'm remembering correction your battery may be covered under this recall...

Can someone verify this?

Best,

-- Don

 

On the battery problems... are they really intermittent? That is one second your dash is completely dead, the next, it cranks as strong as ever? I've had batteries die quickly, but typically it's a shorted out cell, so you have a little bit of power, but the solenoid will click and you can start to crank, but it's not strong enough...

I'll check into the battery issue, and I'd rather replace the battery sooner rather than later, but I would be amazed if what happened to me was the battery.

 

I'd be amazed if it wasn't the battery.

 

If there is absolutely no click when the key is turned it could be a starter. If it's a manual, you should be able to roll it and pop the clutch to start it. Another way to make the assessment, whether it is manual or automatic, is to the roll the car forward or back a few feet which will change the location on the armature. Then try to start it. If it starts right up, your starter is bad.

 

I hate to harp on this... but... how come the interior lights would come on, but the dash was completely dead... no idiot lights, no beeping, no radio, etc.

would a bad battery cause that?

and once again, after I messed around under the hood, it started fine, no weak cranking, etc. no indication that the battery was weak.

weird.

 

Don't want to say this, but maybe is an electrical issue.

 

Got the notice on my now departed mc 2003...By then the battery had died and I had replaced it already with a Type 47 from Batteries + (this was an MC and my servicing dealer was 120 mi away!) I sold the car shortly thereafter but not before i compared specs...the OEM had about 1/2 the CCA rating as the aftermarket one. On the good siide...Mini was more than willing to replace my battery under warranty ...that was from miniUSA!

 

I would suggest bringing the car to the dealer or trusted euro tech and have them clean the terminal on the power wire to the fuse box and spay all the critical connectors with Wurth contact oil. Or do it yourself with a similar product.

--Dan

 

I'll give that a try... thanks

 

what would you suggest, i have that same click when the key its turn, but doesnt start, should i roll it and pop the clutch to star it, i have change to a new battery and its the same click.

 

I went out this morning to start my Mini and the battery was totally dead. I couldn't even unlock the rear hatch. It is also a 2003 with 45,000 miles. Did the battery give up the ghost? No signs that is was about to fail. Any suggestions on a good replacement? Optima? Thanks for the info.

 

ds072, that sounds like what happened to me. I reseated the plug on the ecu under the hood and I've haven't seen the problem again (it's been a long time)...

jhony93 - that is not the problem I had... when it happened to me, the whole dash was dead, the radio wouldn't turn on it, no click when I turned the key.... dead dead...

The last time it happened, I left the key turned on, I popped the hood and pushed on the ecu plug and everythign came to life..

 

Thanks Stecz. I'll reseat the ECU plug when I get home tonight. You got me thinking...I did change the CAI filter last week. Maybe I loosened the plug by accident and it took a week to loosen enough for it not to work.

 

I checked the ECU plug and it was O.K. The battery indicator was black which meant it needed a charge ( green O.K., black needs a charge, yellow battery is dead). Tryed charging the battery but the indicator never went to green. All in all I replaced the battery. Thanks for the help.