70,000 2003 mini cooper is having starting issues. Anyone else had these problems:

it started about 3 weeks ago... got back from a 2 day business trip and it wouldn't start at airport parking. Jumped it and it was fine for one week.

One week later after sitting (only 12 hours (overnight).... it wouldn't start. We jumped it and it was fine.

Now, yesterday drove it home from work ... it was fine and then we parked it and needed to start it to move the car (just 15 minutes later).. wouldn't start.

We jumped started it this morning to take it to the Mini dealer. They checked the battery, alternator and the electrical system (starts with at P... that controls the clock) and all checked out fine. They said you can pick your car up.
I asked them to hold it overnight and try it again in the morning. I didn't want to bring it home and have the same issues.

Anyone had this problem??????? ps: we put in a new battery @ 50,000
Thanks...

 

mine wont start after it rains alot. and the tail lights stay on. but its a 2005
Ive taken it to the dealer but they were not able to replicate the problem.

 

Are the cables connected to the battery post correctly and making good contact? any corrosion?

When my battery died, I got a new one that wasn't as tall and the the cables weren't making a good connection and thus it wouldn't start. jumping it would wiggle the cable enough to make the connection to start. I knew this was the problem and would just fix it on the fly, but got tired of it and put cardboard under it to lift it up. No problems now.

 

OK, you put in a battery...

but this sounds like a bad battery..... Where did it come from? Is it good?

When I bought my classic the seller said "I put in a new battery last month" and handed me the receipt. When I had starting problems I went to the store (of the receipt) and they asked, "did you get 3 months out of it?" So I put an OPTIMA red top in OC {orange crate}...been good for 'coupla years now.

There r batteries and there r batteries.....


{btw - my 02 has the original battery and starts fine thank you....}

 

Also have an '03 mcs. No problems till earlier this year. Driving home some electrical lights when on. At the next light, I shut off the car, thinking that may help; car wouldn't start. Pushed the car off the road, car started 5 minutes later. Made it home barely as all the electrical started to die. Towed the car to mini the next morning ( the car did start that morning, but I wasn't taking a chance).
Alternator was the prob. Replaced, all fine these last 6 months.
Now just hoping no other surprises before my '08 arrives in February (hopefully).

 

Sounds like the battery is not holding a charge. Either bad battery, or something in the system is draining some of the charge overnight. Many times, a battery that slowly loses its charge will still test 'good' on most battery testing equipment.

 

I'm kinda having the same problem, although it not only won't start, none of the lights will come on and I can't remotely unlock the doors with my keys. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but it was fine before I deployed last month, and when I get back, I get this problem. Any suggestions?

 

I'm having the same problem too, also with a 2003. The last time we had rain was Saturday, though it stayed in the car port during the storm. I drove it both yesterday and today with no problem. This morning, I filled up with gas (yes, gas cap is on tight), drove about 7 mi., stopped car to go in a store, came out after 5 min., started fine, then came home. I was going to go back out about 1/2 hr. later, and it wouldn't start... just got a click when turning the ignition. All the electricals work. It's not a new battery... even though it shows fully charged we tried jumpstarting it and still nothing. We also disconnected the battery for about 30 min. to reset the ECU and still nothing. I also reset the ECU using the odometer button method for good measure. Also tried both keys JIC. Any ideas? We tried calling the dealer but they aren't open today.

 

I am having the same problem all the light of the panel looks like a Christmas tree and the air condition went of and the power steering go to hard I dont know what to do somebody help me