1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Starting Issues, gremlin junk.

I did, diagnosed which ABS sensor was causing me issues a month back but that's the only thing that showed. Not even a single stored code either, so nothing's a-miss there. Sorry, should've mentioned that I guess :aureola:

It was a thought. Not sure though. I haven't checked the battery because I'm afraid of breaking the casing and I don't have a spare, so that'd be a bad time. The key is VERY beat up, scratched, and the buttons are more or less disintegrated. Buttons on the key don't work, doesn't lock/unlock the car and even after an attempt to reprogram, nothing. Called the dealership, they're searching for the other key and if they find it, they'll let me know.


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This morning, it didn't want to start again for 10-13 minutes. Constant key turning & many clutch smashing/frustrations later, and on the 90th try, it started like there was nothing wrong after a quick switch of the ignition. :mad2:

It seems as if my car sits for more than 8 hours (overnight for example) without being started, it refuses to turn over at all for easily 10 minutes.
If I've got her started and drove her around a bit, car starts a little quicker.

Another thought was maybe my starter solenoid was shot but I can't even get to said starter with being as busy as I've been trying to get ready for my fiancee to give birth and all, and being on-call at work all the time. :mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2:

 

Also, found some info on the immobilizer...
It's as follows:

Key identification and start procedure
The transponder in the key is powered via the loop antenna and sends the key data to the EWS3
control unit.
The EWS3 control unit then checks the key data to ensure it is correct and only then sends an enable
signal to the engine management system and starter.
After the engine has started, the EWS3 control unit generates new key data (change code) and
transfers them to the transponder in the key.
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From what it seems like I read, if the key is unable to match the code generated from the EWS, it won't activate the starter. That means no crank, no spark.
However, when the key matches the code, the EWS will send back a code it'll store temporarily (within a limited amount of time) that'll send the signal to the starter on start up. Which would make sense since I can never start her in the morning but almost all the time after that give or take 10-15 seconds.

Am I reading this correctly or am I just grasping at straws? :lol:

 

Yeah, I haven't exactly been able to get the car jacked up or checked out in the last couple of days. Unfortunately, work has kept me very busy. Along side with, like I said, pregnancy things :lol:

It's so hard finding time... but this weekend should be a go.

 

[ame="http://youtu.be/ypOKZOXlyAw"]04 Mini Cooper S starting problem. - YouTube[/ame]

Sorry it took such a long time to post a video. But the general idea is in the video, but in the morning, it takes 25 minutes easy still.

Really sorry about so many double posts. Just trying to solve this.

 

Well... I've been sitting in the hospital for the last 12 hours, so nope. Didn't get the chance. Did check the wires under the hood though where you suggested, and I found a blown fuse for the cigarette lighter... But that was it :lol:

My girly girl is 9 1/2cm dilated, so we're kind of waiting here in the hospital. I'll check later. Found out that the airbag light dims/brightens when I adjust the steering wheel column which I found weird though.

 

Thanks!
I plan on it :devil::devil::devil:

 

Thanks everyone.

Took the key apart on Sunday, soldered the unlock button because it somehow became dislodged.
Didn't fix the problem but now I can press the unlock button, which is nice. Doesn't do anything aside from light my side markers.
Doesn't unlock doors or anything of the sort. Battery inside the key was fine. Attempted to reprogram the key, that also failed.

Does anyone know if the transponder chip is supposed to be soldered to the contact points underneath it? :lol: I also ordered a new key just cus.

I'm going to go ahead with taking apart my steering wheel column and checking contacts in the ignition switch, and this so called "clock spring" I've been told about. I'll post more news this weekend.


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Tried checking the bcm, pretty dry as far as I could see.
Still checking for bad grounds...