Hello,

I will soon be replacing my clutch and flywheel as it went out 2 months ago.
One month ago I tried to start my car, and it idled rather rough, but I wasnt sure what to do about it.

Anyways a couple days ago I tried to start it again but after the last turn of the key it would only have a faint tick, then nothing.

I have checked the battery and that is not the problem, I also had my alternator replaced 4 months ago so that shouldnt be a problem.
Could this be caused by old gasolene? its 2 months old and ive got a full tank...

Should I try to drain the gas tank? and how should I do this?

thanks!

 

What did you do to check the battery? Bad gas is only a problem if the car starts. You are describing your problem as a car that will not start. MINI's require regular driving in order to keep the battery well charged. Sporadic driving or, in your case, letting the car sit for a couple months will almost certainly run down the battery.

 

oops forgot,

I did actually replace the battery in the car.
and I also changed the battery in my key because the remote function stopped working. could this be the underlying issue?

it had the same issue with the "valet key" though the key without the remote function.

 

Based on what you're describing, it still sounds like a battery issue. Try a jump start. If that works, make sure you drive it around a bunch before you turn it off again so that the battery has a chance to charge.

 

Sorry I should have been more clear.even with threw working battery the car wouldn't, start only accessories came on. should I reprogram the key to the car?

 

The first step is still to try to jump the car. Just because accessories come on and you hear a click (probably the starter relay) doesn't mean you have enough power remaining to turn the engine.

If the jump start doesn't work, then you try other things in a methodical order.

 

Great! Thanks for the response.

Luckily I didnt have class this morning so me and my friend tried to jump my car but the battery wouldn't recharge. It was only with a working optima yellow top battery that the accessory lights come on. What would be your next suggestion?

Thanks!

 

Take the battery out and take it to a NAPA or other auto parts store. Have them test the battery. When they tell you that it is bad, replace it. Problem solved. I just went through this. NAPA had a battery that fit perfectly in my car. Price was about $117.

 

When your friend tried to jump your car, did the engine try to turn over (ie did it try to start?) Or did you just head the click?

Does the dash say anything when you're unsuccessfully trying to start the car?

 

Try checking this out:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-bulletin.html

 

it just clicked no trying to turn over. I will check the clurch swithch asap sorry for the spelling im on my phone.

 

just.checked the clutch switch. the only one I found is attached to the cylinder and seems properly attached.

 

2 suggestions/questions...
did you leave the jumper cables attatched to the car/battery for a few extra minutes...a very dead battery may take a few minutes to stop acting like a huge sponge and allow enough current through to allow the car to crank...
I am only saying this cause from reading the posts i am not sure you swapped a good donor battery into the car or not...red top is a starter, yellow, while it is a duel purpose, msy/maynot have enough cranking amps depending on age/charge state...
Was the car basicly dead? No lights inside etc on your first checking the car? It might be possible the low voltage messed up the imoblizer somehow..
A few folks have had their imobolizers realighned at dealers after flatbedding their cars in....but since you hear a click...or is it a clunk? It sounds like the starter is getting current...just unable to crank..like a weak battery...just a click might be the fuel pump a few relays, etc...a more definded clunl from the stater area might idicate an old school fix...hitting the starter with a hammer to get it unstuck...

 

Clutch too bad to push start i assume?!

 

thanks for all the suggestions!

let me try to clarify my older posts

1 dead napa battrry _ tried to jump the battrery _ no luck
2 inserted optima yellow loaner_ accessory lighrts come on _ slight tick I assume it tried to ignite? no luck (at least all the elcttronics worked
3 tried dead napa on friends car _ nothing

should I go ahead and order a red top 34r?

thanks!

 

Any battery will work...
The red top is good for an infrequenly driven car due to its low discharge rate...it is $$, but is popular...the better than oen equivlent is avalable for much less with the proper vent tube...so the extra $$ for a premuim product comes down to is it worth it for you...ground chuck or filet mingon?! Both fill the belley and do the job...
I suggest leaving the jumper cables attatched for a bit...15 minutes...then trying to crank..
Did the batteries come back tested as bad or just discharged?!
A severly discharhed battery somes comes back...slow charging helps...
The yellow top can go much lower voltage wise and recover...needs a very slow charge, then increase.
Some better chargers have a special mode for non flooded cell batteries...the red/yellow tops can be drained so low, a regular charger will not charge them, but they can be brought back sometimes....
Imo get the car running..you have lots of opptunites to spend $$ later...
Barrow a battery, see if the car cranks...if it starts, new battery....

 

I will try jumping it again tonight for your reccomended 15 min. when they gave me my battery back they said "its ready to go" but it didnt start anything in the car.

 

If you have AAA, you can call them to have a tow truck come give you a jump start. Theirs are much more powerful than cabling to a friend's car.