For the THIRD time today (since Sunday) I have had trouble starting my brand new MCSC. (It's a Convertible....so it's not an R56)

I have been able to "push start" it with NO problem, no alternator lights coming on, etc.....but upon starting it up (every third time or so) the starter doesn't seem to wanna work.

IF I roll the car, and "pop" the clutch, but the car doesn't "catch-n-start" the first time, and then I go to use the ignition (turning the key all the way forward), it will start then without having to push start it....

Weird eh??

Any explanations??

-B

 

Errr..... that's not good.....
Dealer - warranty time, sounds like to me....
Sorry, no wisdom to share...
Here's wishing a speedy recovery.

 

Thanks,,.....

AT LEAST I KNOW I can push start it...with very little effort......but it is frustrating and puzzling....

-B

 

Does it crank? If not, I'd expect whatever lock-out switch that exists such that it can't be started in gear without the clutch depressed... Try starting with it in neutral???

Good luck!

Mark Gibson
2007 MCSc

 

This seems to be working (for now)....


My previous MINI was a 2004 - Does Ayone out there know if the post-2004 MINIs have to be started IN NEUTRAL and the clutch pedal depressed??

 

I have had several manual transmission vehicles and all of them had to have the clutch pedal depressed before they would start. It didn't matter if it was in neutral or not, just had to have the clutch in . We have a '06 and that's the way it is, doesn't matter about gear but does matter about the clutch.

 

Same here.

I never had to do anything but depress the clutch, but it seems as those THIS new MINI of mine has other ideas/plans for me....

-B

 

I think you have a flakey lock-out switch on the clutch... my question RE: starting in neutral was stupid! (must have had my boat on my mind - can't start that with the transmissions in gear) I have never in 30+ years tried to start a manual transmission equipped car w/o having first depressed the clutch!

Good luck with your problem...

 

Do not resort to push starting your MCS, or any car with a CAT. You can very easily destroy the CAT and also damage the fuel management system. Note that this is true not only with MINIs but with any CAT and FMS equiped car (read anything at all newish). Get it to the dealer. It cleartly a warranty issue.