MINI R53 will not start (& a quick hello from a new member)

MINI R53 will not start (& a quick hello from a new member)

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Discussion

richard-lv7cw

Original Poster:

44 posts

81 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
quotequote all
Hi all,

Happy New year.

I've been reading the forum and site for a couple of years now and really enjoy it, so it's about time i've joined in.

Also, I was hoping someone could help me with an issue that i'm stuck with.

I own a 2003 MINI Cooper S (R53, Jan 2003 reg, but I guess produced sometime in 2002). It has been very reliable but the other day it refused to start.

The AA man tested battery, spark plugs, then found there was no fuel going to the plugs. After testing the injector, he moved on to the fuel pump relay which was fine.

However, at the other end of the plug at the fuel pump, there was no voltage. He suggested there might be a fuel cut off or inertia switch but after almost an hour of looking and Googling, we couldn't find anything.

So i'm wondering, is there anything else that I could've missed? Could be an ECU issue, or a bad earth somewhere? Or perhaps a fuel cut off switch that sits elsewhere?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've spent several hours looking on sites and forums but was unable to find anything.

Kind regards,

Richard


steve-5snwi

8,940 posts

99 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
quotequote all
So there is no power getting to the fuel pump ? Have you traced the wires back ? Have you got a spare key to see if it starts with that key ? I would be thinking immobiliser .....

richard-p03

Original Poster:

44 posts

81 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
quotequote all
I only have 1 key unfortunately. I did think that but it’s turning over fine.

Might sound silly but are there any other fuses in addition to the fuel pump relay?

steve-5snwi

8,940 posts

99 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
quotequote all

steve-5snwi

8,940 posts

99 months

richard-p03

Original Poster:

44 posts

81 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Steve,

I've tried to locate the fuel cut off switch but was unable to find it. I've tried all the usual places and read all the related posts I could find. AA man couldn't find it either :-(

The first link you've sent says MINIs up to Sept 2002. As mine was potentially built after that (registered Jan 2003), could it be somewhere else?

steve-5snwi

8,940 posts

99 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
quotequote all
Under the bonnet, right hand side at the back by the ABS pump

richard-p03

Original Poster:

44 posts

81 months

Friday 5th January 2018
quotequote all
Hi all,

And thank you Steve for the suggestions.

After little luck, I have decided to bite the bullet and take it to a garage, who ran their diagnostics.

In the end, it was a faulty fuel pump. Not sure why it wasn't receiving voltage but will try to add more detail once I get the car back.

To be fair, in the last few months it was taking longer to start which I forgot to mention earlier. Also, the day before it stopped working, I filled the tank to the maximum level which may have contributed to the pump dying.

Anyway, I'll be happy to get the car back once they fit the new pump.

Regards,

Richard