Starter failure do not stop engine!

pbr67_zed · Post by **pbr67_zed** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:47 am

Had a bit of a car related nightmare this morning.

Firstly, as my daughters Mini hadn't been used for a couple of weeks, I thought I'd give it a run into work before she needs it again. Started on the button, pulled off the drive - loud clonking which increased with speed. It was 7 am, cold and dark, so didn't fancy trying to find out what it was, just turned around and put it back in the garage to look at later.

Second attempt to drive to work was in the zed - again, started on the button, immediately followed by the message "Starter failure do not stop engine". After sitting there swearing loudly for a couple of minutes, I took the plunge and switched off! Tried again and it started, immediately followed by the same message.

Not wanting to be stuck at work I resorted to the trusty Volvo!

Anyone seen this message before? I'm hoping that it's a doom laden warning of likely failure rather than a "You're totally f***ed" message, so I'm going to book it into to my local independent, and hope that it starts when I go to take it in.

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:53 am

pbr67_zed wrote: ↑Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:47 am Had a bit of a car related nightmare this morning.

Firstly, as my daughters Mini hadn't been used for a couple of weeks, I thought I'd give it a run into work before she needs it again. Started on the button, pulled off the drive - loud clonking which increased with speed. It was 7 am, cold and dark, so didn't fancy trying to find out what it was, just turned around and put it back in the garage to look at later.

Second attempt to drive to work was in the zed - again, started on the button, immediately followed by the message "Starter failure do not stop engine". After sitting there swearing loudly for a couple of minutes, I took the plunge and switched off! Tried again and it started, immediately followed by the same message.

Not wanting to be stuck at work I resorted to the trusty Volvo!

Anyone seen this message before? I'm hoping that it's a doom laden warning of likely failure rather than a "You're totally f***ed" message, so I'm going to book it into to my local independent, and hope that it starts when I go to take it in.

Hi, how old is your battery? It seems a lot of strange warnings can appear with a sub-optimal battery, they seem very sensitive to voltages

Rob

Busterboo · Post by **Busterboo** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:58 am

Low (by E89 requirements) battery?

pbr67_zed · Post by **pbr67_zed** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:12 am

Smartbear wrote: ↑Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:53 am
Hi, how old is your battery? It seems a lot of strange warnings can appear with a sub-optimal battery, they seem very sensitive to voltages
Rob

Guessing the battery is the original - car is a 2011 23i which I've had for about 14 months.

I have noticed a very occasional "shriek" after a cold start which I think is probably the starter not disengaging properly.

I'll get both checked when I take it in!

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:14 am

I bet that is battery related. I’d be fitting a new battery and investing in a trickle charger if you have it laid up for more than a week or so.

pbr67_zed · Post by **pbr67_zed** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:54 pm

ph001 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:14 am I bet that is battery related. I’d be fitting a new battery and investing in a trickle charger if you have it laid up for more than a week or so.

The thing is, that it was absolutely fine yesterday, having been stood for 3 days without being used. I suppose the battery could be getting a bit borderline, and a cold-ish night was enough to push it over the edge.

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:18 pm

I think its very very prematurely to ascribe this problem to the battery without even measuring idle voltage or stop voltage

As for the mini... that sounds more serious.

pbr67_zed · Post by **pbr67_zed** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:48 pm

GuidoK wrote: ↑Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:18 pm I think its very very prematurely to ascribe this problem to the battery without even measuring idle voltage or stop voltage

As for the mini... that sounds more serious.

Looking like the battery is the likely culprit - measured 12.03V at the battery when I got home this evening. Took it out for 20 minute drive and measured 14.85V at idle. Was at 12.45V immediately after I switched off. Interestingly message didn’t reappear when I started up this evening. Will give it a good charge over the weekend and see how it goes.

Leaving the Mini investigation until the weekend!

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:13 am

12.03V is less than half charged so it looks like it’s well down on capacity. You really need to give it a full 24hrs on a charger then measure the voltage again after the car has been stood a day. It should be >12.4V

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:27 am

He can also have a ghost current and that the battery is just very empty.

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