53 replies to this topic

[Sprocket]

Unplug the ECU. Find The Green/ Black wire on pin 28 of the black 36 way connector, This will be on the top row of the connector (nearest the connector latch mechanism). Pin 25 is the White/ Black in the corner and pin 27 is the big fat Brown/ Pink.

 

With the fan relay and wiring all in place and the ECU un plugged, first check there is 12v on both purple wires at the relay, then also check for 12v on pin 28 (Green/ Black wire) of the black 36 way connector. Use a piece of wire to ground the Green/ Black wire on pin 28. If the fan should start, it would perhaps indicate a possible ECU fault. If on the other hand, you do not see the 12v on pin 28 on the black 36 way connector, but you have 12v on both purple wires at the relay, the problem is in the wiring and or relay.

 

I would advise you invest in a voltage probe tester. This tester will allow you to probe wiring in a safe manor. It will allow you to apply 12v or ground on the same probe end at the flick of a thumb switch, without having to swap anything round, and it is protected for 12v to ground shorts and ground to 12v shorts. Best tool I've bought in recent times !! Have a look here....... http://www.sealey.co...uiredresults=16

[Bat]

Hi,

In the last picture of you holding the relay I can't see the terminal in the socket nearest the tip of your thumb. Its the thin purple wire is that in correctly?

Cheers 

Edited by Bat, 26 June 2018 - 06:53 AM.

[M700FGT]

HI guys,

 

Sorry i haven't replied for a few days - life has been a bit busy 

 

Thanks for the all the help and advice so far. Sprocket, that tool looks like a good investment.

 

So the update.... I went as far as i could testing with my meter. I didn't take the ECU out as i realised i just wouldn't trust my findings any way, being so green with auto electrics.

 

So i took him to my local garage as one of their guys owns a few Mini's. Unfortunate they are all pre ECU so he had no idea. Im told he metered "Everything" but if im honest i just don't think they wanted the job, as they prefer the easy stuff. 

 

I did however find an auto electrician literally at the other end of my town (Its a very small town). He has agreed to investigate the fault starting Monday. He said mechanically I've down everything i could, so its either a wiring issue or ECU. The good thing is he also knows the Mini ECU well, which is why he thinks its more then likely as wiring issue. He said the ECU on these models are pretty solid.

 

Now considering the state my Mini was in when i got him, i wouldn't be surprised if the wire had been damaged. To give you an idea there were six speakers wired very badly, with with about 10 meters of cable rolled up. Apparently they didn't cut the cable to length. I also found almost a whole roll of cable under the bonnet, that i traced back to LED lighting under the dash. The wires behind the dash are also a little messy as a couple of the stereo cables have been cut. I haven't put a new stereo in yet, but all the additional cabling including the speakers has been removed.

 

So fingers crossed i will get some good news next week. Once i know a bit more i will post another update. 

[M700FGT]

FIXED!!!!!!!!!

 

All down to a broken wire that had corroded.

 

Apparently very hard to find, and not something a mechanic would have normally spotted.

 

Looks like the ECU has been remove at some point, but works perfectly. They hadn't fitted it correctly when refitting.

 

This had clearly been an issue for a long time, which is why I believe the previous owner sold.

 

 

I just wanted to thank you all for your help.  

[Bat]

Hi,

Excellent news! Sounds like someone nicked the wire when refitting the ECU and the copper has corroded away.

Cheers 

[Carlos W]

You did well keeping going to identify this

[M700FGT]

Hi,

Excellent news! Sounds like someone nicked the wire when refitting the ECU and the copper has corroded away.

Cheers 

No he thinks the wire wasn't secured correctly and got nicked. Someone was clearly looking for the fault and possible removed, but didn't correctly refit the ECU.

 

I know the car had just come out of Croydon Mini's, but genuinely no idea if they had been investigating. 

 

I got the car for a good price, so we think he wanted rid of it quickly he he knew it had faults. 

 

Drove the car today and it was so much fun. Country lanes and open windows all the way!

[Wiggy]

Odd, as you can't really not fit the ECU correctly. You simply plug in 2 connectors. But oh well, it's fixed.

Get comfortable with your multimeter and have a look at at the wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual.

You'll save some money for next time something plays up.

[M700FGT]

It’s the bracket that wasn’t fitted correctly.