Manual Valve
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2007 MINI Cooper, 2006 MINI Cooper, 2005 MINI Cooper, 2004 MINI Cooper, and 2003 MINI Cooper. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The manual valve has four positions, each corresponding to a position of the selector lever inside the vehicle. Choosing reverse or drive activates one of the two clutches whereas in the neutral and park position both clutches are released. The engine can only be started with the selector lever in the neutral or park position, in all the other positions the starter circuit is inhibited.