Hi I'm new and do with some advice :) - MINI Cooper Forum

JustJulie · #1 (**permalink**) Nov 30th, 2012, 07:31 PM

Hi,

I'm Julie and live in Newcastle in the UK. I've been a lurker on here for a while and have picked up some basic but very useful tips. I'm a newbie to car maintenance. My Mini is an 02 plate mini one.

It wouldn't start tonight it was just sort of going tick tick tick when I tried it

I've had to abandon it at my work overnight and will go back to it in the morning. Do any of you guys have an idea what could be wrong? I'm hoping it's just the battery after all the cold days we've had

Macguyvic · #2 (**permalink**) Nov 30th, 2012, 07:56 PM

Welcome! It sounds like a battery from your description. Anything inside power up? Radio, lights, etc., but dim? Can you pull your battery and take to to an auto parts store so they can test it? If not get someone to jump start the car. If it starts you know it's the battery.

amc01 · #3 (**permalink**) Nov 30th, 2012, 08:38 PM

Sounds like the battery alright.

JustJulie · #4 (**permalink**) Nov 30th, 2012, 08:53 PM

Thank you - yes the lights and radio come on. I'm going to try it with jump leads in the morning and hopefully it will start

I'm just really hoping that's all it is and nothing horribly expensive!

mab01uk · #5 (**permalink**) Dec 1st, 2012, 06:10 PM

It will be the battery, time for a new replacement, cold weather has killed it and if it is still the original 2002 BMW battery it has lasted very well.

gridstd4 · #6 (**permalink**) Dec 5th, 2012, 09:27 AM

welcome to Mini2. sorry to hear about your problems.

Sounds like a Starter motor issue. Had this on a freelander. battery was fine.

MrLoz · #7 (**permalink**) Dec 5th, 2012, 01:04 PM

Maybe starter motor solenoid sticking or faulty.

Sent from mi iPhone.

The Nun · #8 (**permalink**) Dec 5th, 2012, 01:51 PM

Basically if it jumps starts its the battery, if it doesnt make any difference its something else, could be a duff solenoid on the starter, but most likely it will be the battery, its the cold weather/old battery combo.
Of course it could also be a charging fault allowing your battery to drop low.

mab01uk · #9 (**permalink**) Dec 5th, 2012, 04:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by The Nun (original)

Basically if it jumps starts its the battery, if it doesnt make any difference its something else, could be a duff solenoid on the starter, but most likely it will be the battery, its the cold weather/old battery combo.
Of course it could also be a charging fault allowing your battery to drop low.

My thoughts exactly, particularly if it is the original BMW branded battery from 2002.