Starter not engaging

[rmarler]

The push button start on my 2008 Clubman grinds when it's cold. it always engages, eventually, sometimes on the 2nd try sometimes on the 10th. But when it misses it's a loud grind. after the car warms up it starts on the first press every time.

So, I called the dealer, ( a 5 hour drive away) their service guy says it's probably not the starter, more likely a teperature sensor. and Im like WTF? I didn't get a warm fuzzy with this diagnosis. metal on metal grind due to a sensor?

anyone else seen this problem? I don't want to drive 5 hours only for it to be all warmed up and not displaying the problem when I get there.

[tgulden]

I am struggling to diagnose exactly the same problem on my 2004 MCS. It starts with a key, not a button, but has the same symptoms: nasty grinding sound when trying to start in the cold (anything below 40 or so -- seemingly more often as it gets colder). So far, it always catches eventually, but I worry that I am trashing either the starter gear or the flywheel. It seems to me that the solenoid/spring assembly that engages the starter with the flywheel is sticking. Have you learned anything more about this yet?

[bad venge]

I'd not buy te temp sensor , I'd have the battery tested first , when it's cold the battery has less power possibly not enough to fully engage the starter ...

Try jumping it BEFORE starting when it's cold out if she starts the battery might be getting weak