12 replies to this topic

[LESTA MINI]

Hi Guys,
My 1991 SPi mini cooper wouldnt start on thursday night but i had a stag do so left it till today.

Mates dad has been round and we've replaed teh dizzy cap as it was crap and dried everything out and checked all the connections.

1. Coil output 12.5V
2. Coil + HT Lead output 12.5V
3. No Spark

Only thing is when we turn the key the coil kicks out only 4.5V which we cant figure out even when swapping batterys.

Any Ideas guys?

[mini-luke]

It's probably not but worth a try as it only takes a few seconds, there's an inertia cut off switch on the RH back of the bulkhead next to two yellow relays that may have tripped, try pressing that.

[LESTA MINI]

Thanks Chap,
Just checked it and still a non spark.

[icklemini]

you getting spark out of the king lead from the coil?
is the injector firing when you crank the engine?

....problems with the crank sensor can cause a non spark/start....

[LESTA MINI]

I can go and check about a spark out of the HT lead, whast the best way of doing this?

and how would i test if the injector is firing?

and how would i test the crank sensor. I had to bump start him down a hill last week when it was snowing but put this down to been about 5am and cold.

sorry for been stupid not had an spi before

[icklemini]

you can see if the injector is firing - take the air filter off and you are presented with the injector that spurts onto the throttle plate.

when you say non spark - have assumed you have checked for one? - hold the end of the ht lead a mm or so from the block (insulated pliers recommended) and crank the engine... do you see a spark?

[LESTA MINI]

ahh yep, injector is firing, and i have some spark testers where it lights up its theres a saork, no spark at plug.

ive just checked the HT lead as you suggested and theres no spark, however when i volt test it when igntion is on it gives 12.5V as above when you turn the engine over it gives no spark and when turning the engine over and volt testing it gives a reading of 5V ish.

[icklemini]

so ok power is going to the coil...

am confused as to what you are saying really: the spark testers are sparking... but there is no spark at plug? - um.... how you know that?

so with the king HT lead pluged into the coil... there is no spark coming out of it when you hold the other end close to the block?

[LESTA MINI]

The spark tests are not sparking at the plug so i know theres no spark to the plugs,

HT lead gave no spark when i put near the block but gives a 12.5V reading when ignition on but only a 4.5 to 5V reading when engine is turned.

Ive also volt tested the wire going to the + of the coil, it gives a 12.5V reading when the ignition is switched on but when teh engine is turned drops down to 4.5V to 5V so guessing the problem is there but have no idea how to fix it or whats wrong.

[icklemini]

ok, am assuming here the multimeter is on the low tension side of the coil...well lets put the multimeter down now you have established that power is going to the coil....

if there is no spark coming out of the end of the HT lead thats connected to the centre of the coil when the engine is being cranked that could be down to:
Dodgy HT lead
Coil not triggering.
dodgy coil..

no spark at the plugs could be because of:
dodgy ht leads
coil not triggering
dodgy coil
dodgy rotor arm
dodgy dizzy cap.

so you need to establish (without the multimeter) - if there is a spark coming from the coil HT tower...

[LESTA MINI]

hey guys, i got him going, replaced the crank sensor and he got a spark right away.

Only thing is hes not starting hes urm sneezing is the best way of putting it and i got fumes coming up through the injector unit.

Guessing this is fuel vapour thats gone in as ive been trying to start im over the last week?

[icklemini]

HT leads on the right way?

[camiloaa]

can you tell me where is the crank sensor located? or a pic will be much better!!
thanks
Cam