16 replies to this topic

[markospondon]

[b]Model 1000 Mayfair
[b]Year:1991
[b]Description of problem engine turns when ignition lights on

[b]Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem? using remote type solenoid as older engine than original and can't use piggy back owing to ring gear being different on A series

Connected up, expecting it to all go great, and as soon as i put key on 'ign light' on then the solenoid kicks in and turns engine. If i take off the small white/yellow, then it acts as it should. I have poured over the diagrams, and it appears I have a starter relay, which the older engine wouldn't have had. Has anyone had a similar issue???

This is after i got all the other GREMLINS out of the wiring, getting all lights etc working AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Right going for a couple of beers to get the thinking cogs going

Any help appreciated PLEASE

Thanks

Edited by markospondon, 10 February 2009 - 08:33 PM.

[Dan]

Did you buy a solenoid for use with a ballasted ignition system? You have got the cranking bypass cable from the ignition connected to the solenoid cranking terminal. The brown/red is the cranking cable and should be connected to the cranking terminal. The white/yellow is the cranking bypass cable and should go to a cranking bypass terminal if you have the right solenoid.

[markospondon]

Dan, thanks for reply. The solenoid was one given, one of the old type, with one large spade term and one smaller. I wasn't aware there were different types. The brown red is the cranking connector then. As it worked ok with just that, but with the white yellow connected it cranks over faster??? Doesn't that one go to the coill? So I am guessing I need to get a different solenoid? Are they readily available?

[lrostoke]

http://www.minispare...=... 4 TERMIN...

[markospondon]

Cheers for that, but it looks identical to the one i have fitted. Am i missing something obvious?

[Dan]

It has another small spade terminal on the other side, this terminal is only connected to the other main terminals while the solenoid is closed and provides the ballast ignition cranking bypass.

[markospondon]

It has another small spade terminal on the other side, this terminal is only connected to the other main terminals while the solenoid is closed and provides the ballast ignition cranking bypass.

So in muppet language (mine) the white yellow is the small spade terminal. the Brown red is the large spade terminal. I have connected the wires to the solenoid i have and have symptoms described. So i have wrong type of solenoid. If I get the one described, do i connect to small wire to small spade etc.? and it should work? To be honest the explanation above doesn't mean too much to me, sorry to sound thick. And thanks for the help so far

[lrostoke]

ok pretty sure this is how it goes

The brown/red wire on the original loom as a really big spade connector, you need to cut this off and replace it with a "standard" size spade.

On the new solenoid there are two threaded lugs, one will have a spade connector attached...ignore that one.
Also there will be two other seperate spade connectors, one normal size, one smaller.

Attach the brown/red wire to the larger of the two seperate ones.
The white/yellow connect to the smaller one.

The threaded lug with the spade connector on, connect all your brown wires and battery wire.
The other lug connect to your starter motor main power cable.

That is from memory but should be able to double check tomorrow

Edited by lrostoke, 10 February 2009 - 11:34 PM.

[markospondon]

ok pretty sure this is how it goes

The brown/red wire on the original loom as a really big spade connector, you need to cut this off and replace it with a "standard" size spade.

On the new solenoid there are two threaded lugs, one will have a spade connector attached...ignore that one.
Also there will be two other seperate spade connectors, one normal size, one smaller.

Attach the brown/red wire to the larger of the two seperate ones.
The white/yellow connect to the smaller one.

The threaded lug with the spade connector on, connect all your brown wires and battery wire.
The other lug connect to your starter motor main power cable.

That is from memory but should be able to double check tomorrow

Fantastic knowledge. Will try and get hold of solenoid tomorrow. Don't suppose you know the lucas part number, as Vehicle Wiring Products are only a couple of miles from me.

[lrostoke]

http://www.vehicle-w...ns/startsol.php

2nd one down looks to be the one, although both of the smaller spades look same size on that, probably just different design.

[markospondon]

Thanks for that, guess where I'll be going at lunchtime-again, was there yesterday getting solenoid crimp connectors!!

Was thinking about it last night, the way I had it wired up, meant I was putting the cranking current throught the ignition switch, good job I had no plugs in otherwise things could have got a little warm!!

Just one other query, with ready through other threads regarding the ballast system, there are threads where people are burning out their points. Is this something I need to be wary of? I have got the coil from the original A+ auto engine which was originally fitted.

Thanks

[lrostoke]

Pretty much all carb engines after 1983 were ballasted so chances are the coil will be fine.

[Ethel]

You shouldn't need a new solenoid, find out which of the two spades makes the solenoid click when you turn the key all the way. What year's your mini. the solenoid operating wire is red/white on most. It could be, as you say, yours had a solenoid and the wire you're using doesn't carry enough current to keep the solenoid fully closed when cranking, the yellow/white could actually be supplementing the feed to the coil from the ignition rather than the other way round.

You could use a relay to run both the solenoid and ballasted feed.

so having read it properly this time, it looks like the white/yellow is feeding the solenoid from the coil. Check for continuity across the the two solenoid spades, if they are linked when the solenoid isn't energised you can either get a new solenoid or add a relay - not a bad idea if your ignition switch is wired to run a relay and not a solenoid.

[lrostoke]

He's got a 1991 with an earlier engine, so he's trying to get 1991 wiring to match with the earlier type seperate solenoid.

[markospondon]

Thank you Dan and lrostoke. Got the solenoid you suggested from Vehicle Wiring Products, wired it as directed and hey presto it behaves as it should. Stuck the plugs in, turned again, and fires 2nd turn!!. This is after the lump has been sitting for nearly a year outside in a trailer under a bag.