My 2005 Mini S has recently been not starting it's first ignition
turn. (most of the time) After the first key turn, i try it again and it starts up fine... untill yesterday morning. would not start! left it for a couple hours, tried it again, didn't start untill for 10 min trying to. when it did it sounded like it didn't want to stay running, like pulsing. it did that for only 2-3 seconds then was normal again.. I'm bringing it to a mini dealer on Tuesday, I just wanna get some input (I'm not driving it till I gotta bring it in, which is 2 hours from me).

NOTE: the starting problem occured a couple weeks after I got my 15% pulley reduction, spark plugs, coil pack, from
Alta. mechanic who installed has done many minis.

I checked the plugs, all look good.


Please help.

 

okay brought it to keeler mini, Albany, NY.
They could not find anything wrong with it, because of course the starting issue was fine when it was there. drove the 2 hours back home. went to start it to go out to dinner, wouldn't start... anyone have any suggestions. the dealer said it COULD be the plugs because it has one prong instead of two?? I called a mini specialist I know that lives out of state, said it's definatley not the spark plugs, so I didn't switch them.. btw it's the brisk plugs I got as a package at alta performace

Anyone have any input?

 

Hi Achilless.

I have the same problem. My 2004 Cooper will start fine for a few weeks. Then very randomly it will take a second try. Then it will start fine for a few more days.

Did you find a solution?

Thanks.

 

Kelly, I was waiting for somebody to have this issue and ask!

You can take it to the dealership 10 times like I did and they will tell you your nuts and send you away, then when your already late for the airport your car won't start.(cough cough).

There's a series of test you could perform to find the problem, i tried, but could find anything. If your car is turning over (the engine is cranking), but it just won't start(like my case). you can narrow it down to fuel, spark, or compression. I did every test I could think of to track it, start with the spark plugs, make sure your getting spark! Mine wasn't, so I kept tracking.. I checked for accurate compression and read high on all. So, last thing I did was checked the fuel injectors. I checked the voltage of the injectors and had nothing! so I used a noid light to see if I had anything comming from the PCM, nothing.

With that information I was able to track it to a computer related problem, the part that makes the spark plugs fire and fuel injectors to work. With info on NAM I knew it had to be the "ignition switch". I bought it for $90.00, replaced it in an hour, and was done! I hope this helps, if you do have any questions, the Internet is the best mechanic tool. Goodluck!

 

I doubt the pulley is an issue. Not sure if you had aftermarket wires and coil pack installed. They are mainly eye candy. There is really no performance advantage to getting them unless you've made serious modifications to the engine (like a head and cam swap after the pulley, CAI, and exhaust upgrades). The stock coil pack is good up to 300 HP.

Make sure the plug wires and coil pack connections are seated properly. If the wires feel loose, crimp down on the coil pack end connectors in the rubber boots with a pair of needle-nose pliers to make sure they "snap on" correctly. If you cannot feel the plug end of the wires snap on, try picking up another set of OEM wires. If that does not remedy the problem, change out the coil pack for the stock one. If any of the terminals are black from carbon buildup, clean them with STP carb spray cleaner or use a brass brush.

 

question - is your car even turning over? My car is silent - it's kind of eerie

I've posted on this other thread where somebody else has a similar issue

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3094498

 

Silent. All dashboard lights go on, but the engine doesn't try to crank. Then second time it usually starts fine. I think twice it has taken a third try.

 

I'd have your battery and alternator load tested, since it's free most anyplace. I doubt that's it, but worth a shot. If it starts to turn over, you've got to inspect air, fuel, or spark as said. If it doesn't turn over, I'd check your charging and starting system. Maybe a loose connection on your battery or starter, or your starter is going.

 

kellymac, your problem sounds like you may have bad gas issues. Read this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...hlight=bad+gas. You can also find out more by searching the forum with the key words "bad gas." You can also reference a thread on our local forum I posted awhile back: http://www.hrmini.com/component/opti.../topic,2573.0/.