How to Replace the Starter Motor on a Mini Cooper

To replace the starter motor on a Mini Cooper, start by opening the bonnet using the lever in the cabin (pull it twice). Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery (to unscrew the negative terminal, remove the top seal of the engine bay, unscrew the plastic nuts of the cover, rotate the fasteners 90 degrees counterclockwise, remove it, and unscrew the terminal nut, also disconnecting the wiring harness; for safety, place a rubber cover on the terminal).

Position a jack at the front of the car, lift it, and secure it with axle stands. Go under the car, unscrew the screws of the lower engine cover and remove it. Once the lower engine cover is off, locate the starter motor, unscrew the screws, disconnect the wiring from the solenoid, unscrew the 3 bolts holding the starter motor, and remove it. Take the new starter motor, insert the rubber pad from the old motor, position it in place of the old starter, screw in the 3 bolts, the nuts, and the wiring solenoid.

Refit the lower engine cover by screwing in the screws. Lower the car, reconnect the wiring to the negative terminal, screw it back onto the battery, reassemble the plastic cover, rotate the fasteners 90 degrees clockwise, screw in the plastic nuts, and finally replace the top seal of the engine bay. Now you can check the correct operation of the starter motor.