13 replies to this topic

[Dan6061]

Mini won't start again!
It'll fire up if I drop a bit of fuel into the injector, then it'll burn that then cut out. I took the IN fuel line off, ignition on, and had fuel coming through, so it can't be a blockage.
I checked the fuses, connections, inertia switch - all ok. So what could it be? Injector broken?

I also checked all of the earth connections, which are all fine too. Battery's fully charged, and it still wouldn't go when being jumped from another car.


Help.


EDIT: Title change. See below for details.

Edited by Ethel, 21 November 2009 - 12:06 AM.

[Dan6061]

Anyone?

How rare is it that the injector would stop working? Then engine's done 57k.

Anything else I need to check? Or is it a case of getting it plugged into a diagnostic's and seeing what codes come up?

[Dan6061]

Bump.

Right, I took the inlet off to check the coolant temp' sensor. All connected, no corrosion. When putting it back on, I noticed the throttle position sensor was disconnected, but I really don't remember disconnecting it? Unless I did without realising.

Anyway, took the injector unit off, blasted it through with the air line for a while, which blew all remaining fuel out.
Put it back on, connected everything back up, went to start it and the injector will spit fuel for a millisecond when you try to fire it, but no more.

So fuel's getting to it, and a tiny but through it, but why no more than a quick spit?


Crank position sensor seems to be the logical thing to look at next. From my understanding, it lets the ECU know when the engines turning so it can feed it fuel. - Am I anywhere near right?

[xrocketengineer]

Bump.

Right, I took the inlet off to check the coolant temp' sensor. All connected, no corrosion. When putting it back on, I noticed the throttle position sensor was disconnected, but I really don't remember disconnecting it? Unless I did without realising.

Anyway, took the injector unit off, blasted it through with the air line for a while, which blew all remaining fuel out.
Put it back on, connected everything back up, went to start it and the injector will spit fuel for a millisecond when you try to fire it, but no more.

So fuel's getting to it, and a tiny but through it, but why no more than a quick spit?


Crank position sensor seems to be the logical thing to look at next. From my understanding, it lets the ECU know when the engines turning so it can feed it fuel. - Am I anywhere near right?

That is the next thing I would check. I wish I could add more.

Ivan

[Sprocket]

I would suggest coolant and or air temp sensor. If the crank sensor was faulty it would not start at all.

[Dan6061]

I took the crank sensor off, it had some dirt on it, so I put it back in and it ran for around 30s before cutting out. Removed the sensor again, and it was dirty again! Then cleaned, fitted, ran for 30s again. Took it out, and it was clean!

So i'm now getting more fuel through, for around 30s then it cuts out again.

I thought it could be a dodgey sensor? but I'm not sure how it all works. I looked at the coolant temp' sensor, one one the inlet, and the connections were clean etc. If that sensor had gone, would it still have the same symptoms as above?

[Sprocket]

Difficult starting can be down to faulty coolant temp sensors, a disconnected or open circuit air temp sesor will cause the same.

Either change the sensors or connect a diagnostic and prove the sensors are reading the correct temperature.

[Dan6061]

Just bought a new temp' sensor. When that arrives I'll get it on and see what it does then!
I asked a local mechanic I know if he has doagnostic equipment, and he does but not the right one for the Mini!

Would it be worth asking the local Ford garage? That was once a Rover dealer, so they could possibly still have the equipment?

[Dan6061]

Changed the engine temp' sensor, plugged everything back in. - It'd fire up, injector will spray for a few seconds, then cut out...
Then I had a look at the air temp' sensor, and noticed it had a broken connection! So we changed them, plugged it in, and now it's not spitting any fuel again! Certain there's some fuel in there.


Any ideas? Thinking that the air temp' sensor no longer works, but I don't know what it'd do without it.

Could really do with a diagnostics kit, but none of the local garages have the right one!

[Dan6061]

Fixed it!

I remembered reading somewhere about taking the ECU out, wrapping it up in a towel on the radiator, letting to warm up a bit and get all snug, then see hpw it goes. I thought it was all a joke, but I tried it anyway and also blasted through the vacuum pipe, and now it runs again!

[xrocketengineer]

Fixed it!

I remembered reading somewhere about taking the ECU out, wrapping it up in a towel on the radiator, letting to warm up a bit and get all snug, then see hpw it goes. I thought it was all a joke, but I tried it anyway and also blasted through the vacuum pipe, and now it runs again!

Im glad to hear that you got it running again. It seems that the vacuum pipes need to be checked for leaks or obstructions as the first thing when there is any sign of trouble.

Cheers,
Ivan

[Dan6061]

I meant where the vacuum pipe connects to the ECU!

[theoldmini]

I am having the same problems at he minute. You blew down the vac pipe that goes into the ECU. did you blow towards ECU or away from it ie towards injection end. just wondered as I will try same and did not want to damage ECU by forcing air into it. Thanks

[Sprocket]

do not use pressurised air on the ECU or you will damage the MAP sensor. Read the pinned topics first