3 replies to this topic

[Cokes]

Hi folks,

Just bought a 1994 mini classic 35 LE. (Jap import)

The car is in pretty good condition as it was stored in a warehouse for several years. The down side is that it was rarely driven.

I had been driving the car on and off for about 2 weeks, The engine was running quite lumpy and was prone to stalling and idling erratically.

I did some research on here and found sprockets excellent guide for spi mini issues. After reading the guide I decided to go out and check all the hoses etc. unfortunately I had left the lights on the night before so the battery was flat. I removed the battery and put it on charge. While I was waiting for the battery to charge I located a damaged plastic connector attached to the ecu. I replaced the
Connector with a reinforced rubber fuel line which I attached to the ecu and the plastic pipe ( with ptfe tape for a tight seal)

Excited that I had located my lumpy idle/ stalling problem I popped the battery back in.

Then something weird....I turned the key and the no oil light came on but the car swung over and fired up. The engine ran for about a minute before cutting out. I started the car again the engine ran again while It was running I went to the rear of the car and noticed I could hear what sounded like the fuel pump ( a whirring sound) cutting out intermittently before the engine woul miss and stop. I also noticed on the third attempt to start the car that the fuel gauge which had been half full was no showing empty!

On a fourth attempt of prolonged swinging the oil light illuminated and the tank registered half full again!

I have tried itnumerous times since but the car won't stay running for more that. 20- 30 seconds.

Any ideas? Am I missing something obvious here?

Cheers
Cokes

[Bell-nose]

Have you tried cleaning all the earth connections? If the car has been stood it maybe that they need removing, the bare metal sanding until shinny and the sane for the connectors then reconnect.

There is on attached to the rear light cluster behind the tank, 1 behind the stereo and two on either wing bulkhead in the engine bay. Try all the ones except the stereo first. If you have gremlins it is likely to be a bad earth connection.

[Bell-nose]

Have you tried cleaning all the earth connections? If the car has been stood it maybe that they need removing, the bare metal sanding until shinny and the sane for the connectors then reconnect.

There is on attached to the rear light cluster behind the tank, 1 behind the stereo and two on either wing bulkhead in the engine bay. Try all the ones except the stereo first. If you have gremlins it is likely to be a bad earth connection.

[Cokes]

Thanks bell nose,

Problem sorted!

It turned out to be a fuse (the glass one) behind the air filter box, I must have accidentally opened the holder and dislodged the fuse while removing the air box.

The engine stayed running Once I pushed the fuze back into the holder and rotated it tight again. The engine is also running better since I replaced the vacum pipe from theme petrol trap to the ecu.