1st Gen R53 Cooper S Mini won't start no clicks

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by MyklMacD, Sep 28, 2016.

  1. MyklMacD

    MyklMacD New Member

    Aug 26, 2013
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    I am devastated to have to write this but I wouldn't trust anyone else's advice.

    I just purchased a 2003 r53. I drove it home from the dealership and parked it in the driveway. Next day I get in starts up great and I drive to McD's to get some sweet tea.

    It's been a couple years since driving a manual so while in the drive thru I kill it trying to pull to the next window. (this car has such a low engagement) I attempt to start it back up and nothing, all lights come on everything works, but when I turn the key I get nothing, no clicks.



    Had to get it towed home. The truck driver had me push while he attempted to push start it, he was able to get it running and get it in to gear, the gear did grind when he shifted and he thought it might be the clutch. He was able to drive it around the parking lot.

    Dealership won't help since its AS-IS but they said it sounded like the clutch master or slave cylinder and I cannot tell if the pedal is spongy? But it isn't on the floor its fully extended.



    So I have done a little research.

    The things i've tried:

    Attempted to jumpstart
    Checked battery terminals
    Cleaned battery terminals
    Checked ground
    Checked clutch safety switch (but I have no clue what i'm doing)
    Someone suggested sticking a magnet on the switch, nothing happened.
    I only have one key so I can't check if its the key


    Symptoms:
    Won't crank or click when key is turned
    All lights and electronics work with full power
    Lights do not dim and speedo doesn't wobble or bob



    Sorry this was soo long winded. Thank you for any help!
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    It sounds like the safety switch on the clutch that will not let you crank it unless the clutch is in. Also have you looked to see if there is any fluid leaking from the slave on the transmission?
     
  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    And congrats on the R53!
     
  4. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    Maybe the battery is dead. Enough to power the interior lights but not enough to engage the starter.

    I recently had a dead battery on my other car (not the MINI) where the battery was bad enough that jumping it did not get enough juice to get the starter to work. The battery was simply outputting the wrong voltage. Enough to power lights though.
     
  5. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    +1 on the clutch safety switch being your problem with starting.
     
  6. Goldsmithy

    Goldsmithy MINI Alliance Ambassador
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    Do you have any way of checking if any codes are present? And, welcome to M/A...
     
  7. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Yea Minis get flaky when the battery is going bad. You can have all sorts of oddball stuff happen. Have the battery checked, load test.
     
  8. MyklMacD

    MyklMacD New Member

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    Does anyone know how to go about checking the clutch safety switch? I tried sticking a magnet on it like I read somewhere. But it was only a small fridge magnet.
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Sorry I am miles from my Bemtly manual. But if it were the old days I would use a multimeter. I would think with clutch down the circuit would be closed but I am not sure. I have not even looked under me pedals to see what it looks like. I won't be home till Friday sorry I'm not much help.
     
  10. whaap

    whaap New Member

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    Had the exact same thing happen on my wife's car a month ago (CR-V). I was convinced it was the starter gone bad as everything worked fine. Put a jump on it and it was the battery. Go figure!
     
  11. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    I would unplug the neutral safety switch and check the continuity across the two wires with a multimeter.

    I had a truck in which the neutral safety switch failed. I just shorted the wires going to the switch together and drove it anther 300,000 miles.
     
  12. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

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    That may still be the original battery, the same thing happened to me. a battery check and found that was my problem. Good luck


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  13. MyklMacD

    MyklMacD New Member

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    I was able to purchase a new battery... finally. After hooking the battery up, I noticed that the door locks and automatic sunroof window did not work, they did work with the old shitty battery so I have no idea whats wrong there. I attempted to start the car, nothing, I stood on top of the clutch pedal and tried again, car started, was able to get it into first and reverse with force. So I'm assuming it sounds like the clutch slave cylinder or master, idk the difference. If anyone could shed some light that would be great. thanks
     
  14. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Have you looked to see if the slave cylinder is leaking? if so its time to change it. The slave cylinder is know to be a problem item.
     
  15. Ujin

    Ujin Member

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    +1 on the slave not engaging the clutch.
     
  16. MyklMacD

    MyklMacD New Member

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    If it was the slave cylinder, wouldn't the pedal be really soft or on the floor. The petal is still fully to the top.
     
  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    It would be soft but it still may come up to the top. If it is bad it will be wet with brake fluid.
     
  18. MyklMacD

    MyklMacD New Member

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    Well whenever it stops raining here in Oregon (lord knows when that will be) I will be able to jack the car up and check if the slave cylinder is leaking.
     
  19. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Oh come on! If Gene Kelly can sing in the rain you can work on your MINI in the rain.:D

    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ[/ame]
     

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