Engine start button won't pop back!!! advice, please.

[cclanged]

Mine is a '09 Mini Cooper Clubman - but I assume all Mini models have this smart key system.

I freaked out when my car kept running today while the engine start button got stuck and I couldn't push it to stop the engine. Really didn't want to leave my car like that all night. So, I tried to figure things out for 20 minutes or so, and then I called a friend of mine who is a mechanic. So he opened the area right below the steering wheel and tried to figure out the key switch area but didn't work. Then he acidentally hit/pushed the plastic shell around the engine start button - finally the button popped back up.

So now whenever I need to start or stop the car, I literally need to hit it a little bit to get the button out... Anybody knows how to fix this though? The dealership is like 3 hours away... Do you guys suggest that I get a replacement for the entire button or just spring (just wonder if there's any spring underneath the button) so I can buy it somewhere in town or have the dealer mail it to me and so I can go to a auto repaire shop in town...


Thanks so much in advance.

[Angib]

A sticky button sounds like it could be from something that has been dropped inside the switch - sugary soft drinks are particularly likely as they dry to a lovely gooey sludge.

So I would try an aerosol can of contact cleaner - useful to have around if you don't have it yet and available from a hardware store. With the ignition off / key fob out, use the tube to spray the cleaner right into the switch down the sides of the button and repeatedly press the switch to help clean it. Let it all dry (seconds) and see if it's worked.