F60 Cooper S weird starting issue
Discussion
So our 68 plate Cooper S Countryman has recently thrown up a strange issue. It was very slow to start. A press of the starter button will result in merely a cough. Maybe half a dozen pushes before it will suddenly burst into life. It was usually at its worst in the morning. But recently its started to be as bad when its warm. We initially took it to our usually brilliant BMW indy and they diagnosed a dodgy battery. It was some cheap Chinese thing. So in went a new genuine BMW battery. Did that resolve it I hear you ask. Did it feck is my response.
So im scratching my head. Its made worse by the fact its our only vehicle.
Would appreciate any thoughts or comments.
So im scratching my head. Its made worse by the fact its our only vehicle.
Would appreciate any thoughts or comments.
No clue really but I had a (cold) starting issue on an F56 diesel. Appreciate its a different fuel and engine but this was my recent experience.
It was taking at least 5-6 presses of the button if it was less than about 10C, consistent for past couple of months. Above 10-12C started first time ok. Checked glow plugs, all ok etc, no difference.
Couple of days later I randomly took a punt on a bottle of Seafoam injector cleaner. Chucked half a bottle in a full tank and went for a 40 minute drive. This was a week ago.
Since then (so far) it starts first time and every day its been <10C, the other day it was 2.5C.
For the sake of 12 quid off Amazon worth a try.
It was taking at least 5-6 presses of the button if it was less than about 10C, consistent for past couple of months. Above 10-12C started first time ok. Checked glow plugs, all ok etc, no difference.
Couple of days later I randomly took a punt on a bottle of Seafoam injector cleaner. Chucked half a bottle in a full tank and went for a 40 minute drive. This was a week ago.
Since then (so far) it starts first time and every day its been <10C, the other day it was 2.5C.
For the sake of 12 quid off Amazon worth a try.
Superdry said:
I had similar on my F54 JCW. slow crank, replaced battery and was the same. It turned out to be the earth strap which eventually failed. Replaced earth strap (between chassis and gearbox) and it resolved it.
This was going to be my reply, but don't just check the engine/chassis earth strap.There will be one from the battery to the chassis & also do the main big red ones for 12v + on the battery/fuse box/starter/alternator.
Give them each a good pull, if they move even slightly they will need to be tightened up properly.
Give them a clean also and make sure the cables look in good condition.
In many cases duff batteries are diagnosed, when it is actually just a sh!tty cable/connection.
Appreciate the replies folks. A faulty earth strap might explain why one minute it will be fine. And the next its 6, 8 or 10 flicks of the starter switch before it fires. We dumped it with the garage this morning. Although they said they would look into the obvious things. They seemed less than confident about sorting it. Suggesting it might be some electronic ECU gadgetry.
Update:
The garage called me and sent some pics. It appears the starter motor has been damaged. Having suffered some kind of impact. They did their best to make a temporary repair. And at first it was looking good and starting on the button. But then it deteriorated. So for this reason they are being cautious. And it needs replacing anyway. But they feel this is hopefully what is causing the issue. We were looking at nearly £700 big ones for a new motor with fitting. So I went searching. And with the help of the garage we spotted a used item off a 2022 F60 JCW Countryman. Its about half the price so I bit the bullet and took a gamble. The garage said it looked immaculate compared to mine.
Its been a damn good car. Possibly the best we have ever had. Wish me luck folks. I will update when it arrives. And if it fits & solves the issue.
The garage called me and sent some pics. It appears the starter motor has been damaged. Having suffered some kind of impact. They did their best to make a temporary repair. And at first it was looking good and starting on the button. But then it deteriorated. So for this reason they are being cautious. And it needs replacing anyway. But they feel this is hopefully what is causing the issue. We were looking at nearly £700 big ones for a new motor with fitting. So I went searching. And with the help of the garage we spotted a used item off a 2022 F60 JCW Countryman. Its about half the price so I bit the bullet and took a gamble. The garage said it looked immaculate compared to mine.
Its been a damn good car. Possibly the best we have ever had. Wish me luck folks. I will update when it arrives. And if it fits & solves the issue.
Ok just to update as I hate when people dont bother to do so. And im not assuming you are interested. Just that there might be somebody who has a similar distaste of that behaviour 
Ok so the garage fitted the starter motor. And im pleased to say it fitted fine. But whilst under the car they spotted a seriously corroded earth strap. Something that other posters thought could be the issue. Anyway it was certainly assisting with the poor starting. So this got changed out too. Now it literally starts on the button everytime.
Thanks for reading and posting.
Ok so the garage fitted the starter motor. And im pleased to say it fitted fine. But whilst under the car they spotted a seriously corroded earth strap. Something that other posters thought could be the issue. Anyway it was certainly assisting with the poor starting. So this got changed out too. Now it literally starts on the button everytime.
Thanks for reading and posting.
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff