9 replies to this topic

[andyps]

My daughters '98 Cooper won't start, showing the signs of a flat battery (when the key is turned for the starter the ignition light goes dim, the radio goes off etc.) but it isn't this having tried both jump starting it and charging the battery.

It will start by bump starting it however, so I am guessing that it is not the immobiliser which is causing the problem. I haven't had time to investigate properly yet, but have checked all the fuses which appear OK.

Anyone got any thoughts about what to look out for? If it was one of our old Minis I would have no problem, but this one with all it's electronics is just too complex!

Andy

[Leonard]

sounds like a dodgy earth connection. check the engine and body earth straps, and the connections on the battery. also check the main positive power cable under the car

[andyps]

That was my initial thoughts, the battery connections are OK, and as far as I can tell the connections to the starter motor appear OK but I haven't had time to investigate too much and there isn't a lot of space to get my hand in properly!!

[Leonard]

sorry mate, dont know much about immobilisers. could you put a jump lead from the starter positive terminal to the live power feed and see if it starts, obviously be very careful not to touch either metal clamp with your hand!

[Jammy]

starter motor?!

[andyps]

Apparently it is the starter motor - or at least a solenoid terminal which has corroded, according to the RAC who got called out today. I will have a look when I get home (been working all day).

Thanks for the replies

[BabyBek]

i had similar prob not too long ago ('97 cooper)
it was the wiring from the starter motor that had gone.
Got that fixed..... then...
cut out again, there was a short behind the brake servo unit.
Don't know if thats a weak point? or if that just happened to me!!

Hope i've been of some help

[Jammy]

Apparently it is the starter motor - or at least a solenoid terminal which has corroded

Jesus christ, I diagnosed a problem correctly for once....kinda.

[dklawson]

My first thought was bad cables and/or connections. In college my room-mate had a car we could barely jump start even with three cars hooked up to his. It turned out the cables, which looked in good condition, had corroded away inside the vinyl insulation. There was almost no copper to carry the current. We had the car towed to the shop only to find out all he needed were new battery cables (+ and -) to be right as rain.

[andyps]

It was the cable between the solenoid and hte starter motor which bascically had corroded and become disconnected - unfortunately right at the starter motor end where it is pretty well unrepairable.

New unit fitted this evening and all seems well. Even worse job on the late mini thatn the early ones - had to move the radiator out of the way to get the starter motor out and the new one into place.