13 replies to this topic

[icedaddyuk]

Model: Clubman Estate 1098
Year: 1977

I know, I know, another thread about a non-starting Mini, just what you all wanted.

Anyway, I've done a search and couldn't come up with a definitive answer and I don't want to go spending money if I don't need to!


The investigation I've done so far:


No starter light on key position two (light under fuel gauge???)

Starter solenoid clicks on turning key to ignition

Tried jump starting off my Mazda diesel, still no start

Some voltages:

Key in position two

solonoid left side 0v, right side 10v
Coil +ve 10v, -ve 10v

Key in position three (ignition starting)

solonoid left side 3.5v, right side 3.5v
Starter motor 3.5v

Now, the standard battery voltage is down to about 10v having been playing around with trying to get it started for so long but when I started the battery was showing 12v.

I'm assuming it's not the starter motor as it's not recieving the full votage. I'm guessing it's the solonoid but it clicks when trying to start?

Thanks in advance!

[icedaddyuk]

forgot to say, starter is inertia type.

[icedaddyuk]

Page 3 already? wow. BUMP!

[blacktulip]

have you attempted to bump start it? or is there no room?

[icedaddyuk]

I'm afraid to bump start it as my driveway is on an up slope to the garage so will struggle to get it back up the drive if I move it to the road, as it's only me and the wife and not much muscle between us!

[blacktulip]

oh right, well if you did try that then it would tell you more about whats wrong. i would ask a strong friend or two for a hand. plus this way you dont spend any cash unless you roll it into next doors car lol

[icedaddyuk]

So, if I push start it tonight and it starts, that suggests starter motor correct?

If it doesn't?

[L400RAS]

I suggest a ppor conenction on either the main postive cable, or earth strap:


Disconnect battery,
then disconnect boot earth strap, clean the connection areas to body / strap
Disconnect engine earth, clean and replace
Disconnect main psotive cable to starter motor, clean connection and replace.

Replace battery and re-test.

Edited by L400RAS, 07 June 2011 - 02:37 PM.

[icedaddyuk]

Both the battery earth strap and the engine earth strap have been removed/replaced recently, but the car has been working since then.

The battery earth strap has been replaced by a 4 gauge cable with proper battery terminals. The engine earth strap was removed and refitted when changing the bushes on the top engine steady.

But, I will check all the connections tonight and retry.

Thanks

[L400RAS]

Both the battery earth strap and the engine earth strap have been removed/replaced recently, but the car has been working since then.

The battery earth strap has been replaced by a 4 gauge cable with proper battery terminals. The engine earth strap was removed and refitted when changing the bushes on the top engine steady.

But, I will check all the connections tonight and retry.

Thanks

Ah ok, you have done the basics.
Have you tried linking two jump cables together (to make them long enough, then put one end on the negative pole of battery, and clamp the other end to a head bolt, and test the engine, then try with one end on the positive battery pole, the other directly to the starter pole and try turning her over.

[icedaddyuk]

So I was kindly given a spare starter solonoid by a kind Mini owner. Fitted it up tonight and still no change so I guess we can rule that out.

I cleaned up and refitted the earth for the battery just in case.

So now I'm down to a faulty starter motor??

[icedaddyuk]

Tonight I'm going to remove the starter motor and attach directly to the battery. If the starter motor doesn't work, I know it's that. But if it does work, what does that suggest?

[lrostoke]

No starter light on key position two (light under fuel gauge???)

This is slightly worrying. have you discovered why the light isn't on. The light is the ignition charge light, if its not on it suggests an alternator fault or the bulb as blown, In both cases car will not be charging.
All the symptoms you describe are a flat battery.

Jump leads don't always work if the battery is particulaly flat or you've not made a good enough connection between both cars.

Either put the battery on charge properly or leave the jump leads attached with masda running for about 15 minutes to get some decent charge into battery.

[icedaddyuk]

Tried to jump start off the Mazda again and nothing. Checked the voltages on the solanoid during ignition, 12v on both sides, checked the voltage at the starter motor, 12v.

Linked the battery directly onto the starter and still nothing. I'm sure it's a starter motor problem now.

Oh well, it could be worse!