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Trouble Starting Mpi


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#1 miniboy1971

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Posted 26 August 2007 - 05:09 PM

I have Yr 2000 MPI Cooper Sport and occasionally have problems starting it.

The battery is approx. 6 months old and charges OK. When I turn the key, I get a click, but it seems reluctant to turn, almost as if its straining !! Try again straight away and it fires up ok. Starts up OK for the rest of the day after the initial firing up.

Any ideas ??? I think it might be the solenoid or starter motor - but don't want to replace these without knowing for sure as they're very expensive (£100+). Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

#2 Sprocket

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Posted 26 August 2007 - 05:17 PM

Clean the engine ground strap points with a bit of emery paper, one on the body and one on the engine. Normaly located at the engine steady bar from the base of the master cylinders to the steady bar bolt on the engine, though not being that conversant of the MPi car, it may be in a different place.



Deffo sounds like a ground strap issue ;D

#3 miniboy1971

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Posted 26 August 2007 - 05:23 PM

thanks for the rapid response ;D I'll give it a go and let you know....

#4 miniboy1971

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Posted 01 September 2007 - 10:58 AM

thanks for the rapid response :) I'll give it a go and let you know....


Removed the old strap (which turned out to be in good nick ) and cleaned up the lugs and connections. Put it back together and its no better.

Took it all apart again and put on another strap to double up and still no joy.

Cleaned up all the cables/connections onto the solenoid. Then cleaned up the battery earth strap in the boot as well, but still no improvement....

I'm getting a click when I turn the key, but it won't turn over - straining...? :D

If I try flicking the key round a couple more times she eventually fires........any more suggestions !!!

Cheers

#5 redhotmini

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Posted 01 September 2007 - 12:24 PM

sounds like a sticking solenoid. take it off, 2 smallish bolts hold it on to the starter motor. clean it up and re fit it.

it might work, but there could be a problem with the starter motor itself or the ignition barrel and wiring.

#6 Elisha-The-Cooper

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Posted 01 September 2007 - 02:30 PM

mpi parts tend to be about 200% more expensive than any other mini parts lol i should know. there better quality though :D

#7 redhotmini

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Posted 01 September 2007 - 04:02 PM

mpi parts tend to be about 200% more expensive than any other mini parts lol i should know. there better quality though :D


i know as well! but i work in a motor factors so ive never paid full price for anything

#8 nev_payne

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Posted 04 September 2007 - 02:35 PM

i know as well! but i work in a motor factors so ive never paid full price for anything



pssshh meh grumble *mumbles under breath* :lol:

just as a suggestion, you tried opening it up before starting engine - i.e. foot down slightly on the accelerator?

Does sound like starter solenoid - somthing like a dry connection that on the first attempt your kicking volts through its partially making a circuit (the click is the relay behind the dash), then on the second attempt the connection is enough to get the power to the starter. Could be worth having a prod around with a voltmeter.

Edited by nev_payne, 04 September 2007 - 02:36 PM.


#9 miniboy1971

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Posted 13 September 2007 - 06:59 PM

i know as well! but i work in a motor factors so ive never paid full price for anything



pssshh meh grumble *mumbles under breath* :-

just as a suggestion, you tried opening it up before starting engine - i.e. foot down slightly on the accelerator?

Does sound like starter solenoid - somthing like a dry connection that on the first attempt your kicking volts through its partially making a circuit (the click is the relay behind the dash), then on the second attempt the connection is enough to get the power to the starter. Could be worth having a prod around with a voltmeter.




Thanks for all the advice. I took a voltmeter to it and, with guidance from a friend, we discovered that the solenoid was intermittently losing volts to the starter motor. Everything was spotlessly clean and all earths/connections already good, so we replaced the entire starter motor/solenoid assembly and it now starts up on the button. :turtle:

PS. Nev - I suspect you must have been the guy with the knightsbridge next to me at the SMOC show and shine. I had the red Cooper sport. Hope you got my email about the parts supplier and that you'd won a prize !! Nice one....!!

Again, thanks to everyone for your help.

#10 nev_payne

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Posted 13 September 2007 - 08:40 PM

I had?!?!?!?!

:- :turtle: :)

#11 miniboy1971

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Posted 16 September 2007 - 06:48 PM

I had?!?!?!?!

:P :wub: :P


You came 43rd out of 51, but as there were a lot of people with the same scores, I think you actually came joint 19th :P - which sounds better !!!! You should have picked up a little corgi model (gold one funnily enough!!!) I'm sure if you contact SMOC they'll send it on.

by the way, I came 5th overall and 2nd in class - which was a very nice surprise !! :P

#12 nev_payne

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Posted 20 September 2007 - 06:42 PM

Nice one you deserve it matey that cooper is just a drool magnet. :cry:




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