1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Not starting battery is new?

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sep 29, 2009
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    Check for loose connections / corroded connections..... especially under the plastic cover connection in front of the firewall in the engine compartment... And give the wiring a once over back by the battery...
     
  2. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

    May 7, 2009
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    But if it was the clutch switch, wouldn't it also have prevented jump starting?
     
  3. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Clutch switch is a flat panel about 3/4" wide and 3" long, snaps into a bracket on the side of the clutch master cylinder connected to the top end of the clutch pedal. Sometimes this pops out of the mount. You can look under the dash and see if there is a cable connected to the clutch master, or whether this sensor is loose or dangling.
     
  4. Newbie6

    Newbie6 Member

    Apr 7, 2015
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    If it is bad or unplugged would this cause it not to turn over at all? Common issue to have happen?
     
  5. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Has happened to other folks.

    I've never heard of one going "bad" - but the sensor can pop out of the mount, and then you will get the symptoms you're describing.
     
  6. Newbie6

    Newbie6 Member

    Apr 7, 2015
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    Well I don't know what's going on but now she let it sit for a little while and now with the new battery it starts so idk what's going on just hope she can get the car back home and I can give it a good once over
     
  7. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Yep, I missed that part
     
  8. Newbie6

    Newbie6 Member

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    So anything else it could be besides checking the battery connections? And the starter solenoid?
     
  9. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    Could be a failed starter....but then you could push start it....turn the car to "on" transmission to neutral, push the car to a couple mpg, put it in gear...not great to do, but works in a pinch...
    Old trick there to get one or two starts from it is to WACK the starter with a hammer....if there is a dead spot in the windings, I can josile it just enough to let you start...does the same for the solenoid/Bendix...but in THAT case, you could HEAR it buzz but not engage the flywheel....
     
  10. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    One more consideration....
    A bad key can cause a no start...it has an antithft chip...
     
  11. Newbie6

    Newbie6 Member

    Apr 7, 2015
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    Well she had no problems starting it today with the new battery so when I get a chance I'm gonna look at everything and just see if anything looks strange, I'm just gonna see what happens when I look the car over.