convict1
11-28-2010, 01:07 AM
I just bought this 2003 Cooper S at a online auto auction. My plan was to drive it opposted to driving my Dodge 1 ton ******** diesel back & forth to work everyday. It had to be jumped off (under the hood) twice at the auction to get it on the trailer. Once I got it home it wouldnt start to take it off of the trailer so I replaced the battery and it still would not start.
All the lights came on, stereo, pannel lights, etc... I had the clutch pushed in, the transmission is in neutral and nothing. So I hooked up the jumper cables (under the hood of the mini) & to my truck and I dont know what I did but it started? I turned it off shortly afterwards cause my kid was crying about something and when I went back out to start it again it wouldnt start so I hooked it back up to the jumper cables & truck and you guessed it, it didnt start. :eyecrazy
Am I not holding my tongue right or WHAT ? Where is the secret switch at ?
The check engine light is on all the time.. Thats one thing that will need immediate attention.
Can some of the board veterans help me with some technical advise please ?
Unfortunately it didnt come with a manual and I dont know what I am doing or squat about these type of vehicles.
Im probably going to need a mechanic, any reliable mechanics besides (Moritz) located in Fort Worth Texas that will work on these ?
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(Below is an explaination from another mini cooper forum)
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There is a battery disconnect squib (explosive charge) in the box that sits next to the battery..the purpose of it is to disconnect the unfused stater/battery cable in a crash..if it was cut, it would spark..there are actually 2 + battery cables in the mini, the one to the regulat fuse box, and the unfused one to the starter...since the current is so high, fusing the cable did not make economic sense...hense the charge that explodes with the airbag in a crash....
The charge/box can sometimes fail or simply corrode. I'd look there...
Do no not power on the car with the box opened up while fiddling with the insides....you could set an airbag light, or possiblly have the charge go off...BANG!!
BMW sold rebuild kits that fit the mini for this box...mini may now sell one..but before you spend the $$, check it out..look for corrosion....
Anyone want to chime in here ?
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif
Heres a photo of the fuse box. Everything appears good ?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5215316786_fcbe8eae2c.jpg
Here's a photo of the unfused box next to the air cleaner. Appears to be in pieces or missing some.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5215317242_86979671c6.jpg
Here's a close up of the infused box. This is where the auction employees were attaching the positive end of the jumper cables and getting it to start. Now it wont work doing it this way and I'm hooking it up to my Dodge diesel ?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5214724411_9196e3cb9a.jpg
All the lights came on, stereo, pannel lights, etc... I had the clutch pushed in, the transmission is in neutral and nothing. So I hooked up the jumper cables (under the hood of the mini) & to my truck and I dont know what I did but it started? I turned it off shortly afterwards cause my kid was crying about something and when I went back out to start it again it wouldnt start so I hooked it back up to the jumper cables & truck and you guessed it, it didnt start. :eyecrazy
Am I not holding my tongue right or WHAT ? Where is the secret switch at ?
The check engine light is on all the time.. Thats one thing that will need immediate attention.
Can some of the board veterans help me with some technical advise please ?
Unfortunately it didnt come with a manual and I dont know what I am doing or squat about these type of vehicles.
Im probably going to need a mechanic, any reliable mechanics besides (Moritz) located in Fort Worth Texas that will work on these ?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Below is an explaination from another mini cooper forum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a battery disconnect squib (explosive charge) in the box that sits next to the battery..the purpose of it is to disconnect the unfused stater/battery cable in a crash..if it was cut, it would spark..there are actually 2 + battery cables in the mini, the one to the regulat fuse box, and the unfused one to the starter...since the current is so high, fusing the cable did not make economic sense...hense the charge that explodes with the airbag in a crash....
The charge/box can sometimes fail or simply corrode. I'd look there...
Do no not power on the car with the box opened up while fiddling with the insides....you could set an airbag light, or possiblly have the charge go off...BANG!!
BMW sold rebuild kits that fit the mini for this box...mini may now sell one..but before you spend the $$, check it out..look for corrosion....
Anyone want to chime in here ?
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif
Heres a photo of the fuse box. Everything appears good ?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5215316786_fcbe8eae2c.jpg
Here's a photo of the unfused box next to the air cleaner. Appears to be in pieces or missing some.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5215317242_86979671c6.jpg
Here's a close up of the infused box. This is where the auction employees were attaching the positive end of the jumper cables and getting it to start. Now it wont work doing it this way and I'm hooking it up to my Dodge diesel ?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5214724411_9196e3cb9a.jpg