14 replies to this topic

[mikeyv8]

Hi Guys, my 98 MPi wont start, the red led on the dash goes out when i press the alarm button, i turn the key and the engine turns over but wont actually start! Ive not had the car long so im not sure if im not doing something right or if there is a problem. Another thing ive noticed is that i cant hear the fuel pump when i turn the key, any help would be great.

[WiredbyWilson]

Without stating the obvious, have you checked the fuses - may have blown one that feeds the coil pack.

 

Is there a spark? Could be a dodgy crank sensor?

[Fast Ivan]

If your sure you cant here the fuel pump then the first thing to try is the inertia cut off switch, located in the top right of the engine bay, black rubber covered switch - press it.

If you have no joy try connecting the battery direct to the fuel pump with wires, it still doesn't prime then the fuel pump is faulty, if it does then your in to relay/wiring and ecu.

try the above and let us know.

[mikeyv8]

Ok, thanks for the help so far, i tried the inertia switch but didnt work, put power to the fuel pump and that worked, i took the yellow relay out thats next to the inertia switch and it looked fine, at the same time i touched a brown sensor thats on the left hand side of the front of the engine to check it was connected, it was, i then tried to start the car and it did! So, it may be the yellow relay, i have no idea what its for, or the brown sensor, or maybe it just started for some reason!! So, did i disturb something? Or is there just an intermittant fault?

[Fossy313]

Check the mini circuit diagrams and trace he wire mate, can't remember off the top of my head

http://mini.nicehelp.co.uk/

[ojames]

I had a similar issue where the car would prime, turn over, but not fire. Thought it could have been the coil, ended up being the crank position sensor.

[Fossy313]

Always a sensor somewhere hahaha

[welshdan]

Change the water temp sensor, and crank sensor....

[mikeyv8]

Its been fine for the last few days, cant find the problem until it wont start again, and knowing my luck that will be on a motorway somewhere!

[Fast Ivan]

the yellow relay next to the inertia switch is for the cooling fan

the sensors ( there are two) to the left front are the oil pressure and oil temp sensors

 

its difficult to say if you touched a wire or something or if you have an intermittent fault, but I wouldn't advise just replacing sensors, as you won't know if its solved the issue or the fault is intermittent and just happened to go when you replace a sensor.

The thing you need to do is plug it in to a diagnostics reader and go through your loom, sensor and connections to make sure they are all in good condition and clean.

[mikeyv8]

What kind of diagnostic do i need? Ive got an obd2 scanner, will that do it?

[Fast Ivan]

try it.

I use the sykes pickavant, this is considered one of the best for the mini mpi and spi

[mikeyv8]

Ok ill try it, but where do i plug it in? Its a 16 pin plug i think on the end of my scanner.

[nev_payne]

Underneath the lower dash rail, between the steering wheel column and the heater matrix. If you look up into that gap, there should be a receiving port.

Edited by nev_payne, 31 May 2013 - 09:03 PM.

[FlyingScot]

What kind of diagnostic do i need? Ive got an obd2 scanner, will that do it?

Won't work mate. The MEMS 2J ECU used on MPis isn't EOBD compliant.
As Rob Mac has quoted above you need something like the Sykes Pickavant kit with the right lead and pod to "talk" to the ECU.
Check my post in the sticky called SPi Code Reader to see what you need.

FS