9 replies to this topic

[clarkyboy]

Hi All,

Im a newbie and ive inherited an awsome 93 cooper from a reletive (for free too, whoop whoop!), anyhow its a great car, and it recently passed its mot no problem but the other day it wouldnt start whilst I was out with it, I rang the aa who came out and told me that it looks like my ignition isnt connecting properly, when its connected it fires no problem but apperently the wiring isnt very good in the mini's ignitions, and its a "well known fault with the car", I tried to start the car yesterday but it just wouldnt fire up, it turns over a few times then just gives up, any ideas?

Thanks!

Al.

[Ouster]

Give it a good service (new points, HT leads, condenser, oil, dizzy cap) and go from there.

[alicetheauto]

Check the wires on the ignition coil are all fixed on ok and clean? Get hold of a haynes manual if you can and make sure it matches the wiring diagram if you remove all the wires.

[Twincam]

Check the connections on the solenoid too.

[Pooky]

What sort of AA man is that?!

Sorry to hear of your troubles with your Mini, sounds like it's time to get yourself a Haynes manual and start getting your hands dirty.

As has been said above I'd give it a good service, then check the wiring diagrams in the Haynes and make sure all the wires are where they're supposed to be. Go round the car and clean up all the earths, particularly the engine earth strap and the main battery earth.

[Twincam]

... told me that it looks like my ignition isnt connecting properly, when its connected it fires no problem but apperently the wiring isnt very good in the mini's ignitions...

I'm not entirely sure what the AA man told you, but I don't think he was himself!

Have you checked for a strong spark?

+1 on the Haynes manuals, I've got three

[clarkyboy]

... told me that it looks like my ignition isnt connecting properly, when its connected it fires no problem but apperently the wiring isnt very good in the mini's ignitions...

I'm not entirely sure what the AA man told you, but I don't think he was himself!

Have you checked for a strong spark?

+1 on the Haynes manuals, I've got three

Yeah there is a spark, which is the weird thing, he also said it could be the alternator and the battery may not charging as a result, he got it to start and it worked fine once, then the next day it wouldnt start, doubt the battery would have gone down by then?

[Twincam]

Yeah there is a spark, which is the weird thing, he also said it could be the alternator and the battery may not charging as a result, he got it to start and it worked fine once, then the next day it wouldnt start, doubt the battery would have gone down by then?

Although there is spark, it may not be strong enough or the engine may not be spinning fast enough for the engine to start.

Regarding you above statement, it depends if the charging system is working ok - Does she start up with a jump start? Whats the voltage on the battery?

You need to have her running to be able to test the alternator (once shes running, put everything on - windowscreen demister/lights/radio/heater and measure the voltage across the terminals of the battery)

Edited by Twincam, 08 February 2010 - 05:29 PM.

[blacktulip]

+1 on the Haynes manuals, I've got three

is that to triple check everything

[Twincam]

is that to triple check everything

Can never be too sure.