Please help asap, Mini is undrivable :(

[Max9650]

Hi firstly I would just like to say I bought my MCS 2 weeks ago and I have been meaning to join up but been very busy and when ive had free time, ive been out in the Mini loving it so far!

Although today I went out to the car

unlocked my car with the key ( remote doesnt work ) Got in the car today, Turned the key and click click and the lights flashed.. Okay Flat battery I assumed, Tried a few times and demonstated to my brother, the alarm beeped once ( never heard it do that before)

So we bump started it and went to turn the headlights on, Only sidelights work, And Also no power steering at all and it was misfiring or running very badly until it died 20seconds later


Any Ideas whats wrong? PAS isn't not noisy at all, and never had any other problems before

What could have caused all these problems over night?

Also I noticed a noise coming from under the bonet which lasts for about a minute after removing the key from the ignition, Took a video of it however I cant post it until ive made 15 posts, but it sounds like a printer, and it does this for about 30seconds after I take the key out of the ignition.

Until its fixed, its getting a lift / taxi to work




Any ideas would be so much appreciated, I cant understand what could have caused No PAS,Misfiring,No headlights :S !

[mab01uk]

You need to buy a new battery......Mini's like many modern cars need a minimum amount of battery power for everything you mention to function properly and modern batteries can fail quite suddenly after a few years of use. The power steering pump motor in particular draws much electrical power from the battery and will shut down automatically if it is insufficient. Bump starting the car will not charge a failing battery quickly enough to recover all electrical functions and even a full re-charging of a failing battery is unlikely to solve the problem for very long especially with cold overnight temperatures.
What year is your MCS and does it still have the original BMW branded battery?

[Max9650]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

You need to buy a new battery......Mini's like many modern cars need a minimum amount of battery power for everything you mention to function properly and modern batteries can fail quite suddenly after a few years of use. The power steering pump motor in particular draws much electrical power from the battery and will shut down automatically if it is insufficient. Bump starting the car will not charge a failing battery quickly enough to recover all electrical functions and even a full re-charging of a failing battery is unlikely to solve the problem for very long especially with cold overnight temperatures.
What year is your MCS and does it still have the original BMW branded battery?

Thankyou that's quite positive, I havnt checked the battery its an 2002 on
65,000 mileage, so possible, Would that explain a misfire / stalling too ?

It seems a very good car so far and i was hoping its a small fix

[mab01uk]

Yes there is a good chance your battery will be the cause of problems including misfire/stalling as ignition system is electronic and needs full battery power to function correctly, the original 2002 BMW branded battery if still fitted has done very well, or it could even be on its second battery from new......most batteries start to fail from about 7 years onwards, but of course some can fail earlier and some go on much longer. Let us know how you get on.

[Max9650]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

You need to buy a new battery......Mini's like many modern cars need a minimum amount of battery power for everything you mention to function properly and modern batteries can fail quite suddenly after a few years of use. The power steering pump motor in particular draws much electrical power from the battery and will shut down automatically if it is insufficient. Bump starting the car will not charge a failing battery quickly enough to recover all electrical functions and even a full re-charging of a failing battery is unlikely to solve the problem for very long especially with cold overnight temperatures.
What year is your MCS and does it still have the original BMW branded battery?

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

Yes there is a good chance your battery will be the cause of problems including misfire/stalling as ignition system is electronic and needs full battery power to function correctly, the original 2002 BMW branded battery if still fitted has done very well, or it could even be on its second battery from new......most batteries start to fail from about 7 years onwards, but of course some can fail earlier and some go on much longer. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks mate, you've been great help will update Saturday

[Max9650]

Just an update, got a Bosch S4 for 50 quid from Euro car parts what a bargain, took 5mins to fit, and started lovely then 10 seconds later ECU light came on ( yellow with the icon) I hope it's cause when it was running extremely bad from bump starting it? Then I thought it would be a good idea to check the oil, pulled it out gently and here is a small crack right at the top!! Great so back in the garage she goes
Till I can get one Monday from bmw ( hope they stock them)

[mab01uk]

Get the EML light reset and take for a run, as you say probably a result of the bump start/misfiring triggered it due to emissions.
If the dipstick is cracked be careful as the stick can drop in the sump if it breaks which is a much bigger job to remove!

[Mini Tony]

Can i ask a quick question please, my mini had problems with the battery too so will be replacing. The agency says they have to do it as if i do it i will screw up the electronics (Is this true) i thought i could go grab one take out and place a new one in (the lights etc still work but not the windows and just will not start) also the brake feels really stiff as it has been stationary for 2 weeks is that normal. Thanks for any help as i am a Brit in Mexico and finding stuff like this out here can cost a small fortune. Much appreciated.

[mab01uk]

Should be no problem changing battery yourself.