14 replies to this topic

[golly]

hopefully you guys can solve a problem I have.

Tried to start the mini after it's hibernation but have problems.
At first the engine turned over but not fire up. I thought I had flattened the battery as it became sluggish and finally just a click/clunk noise. I then noticed the choke was very hot to touch. Am i right in thinking i now have a shorting out somewhere? Could it be the starter causing the problem or the battery ( I dont think it is the batterey however it's now off the car and charging up. Is there an easy way to test the starter off the car? Its a A+ engine with a pre-engaged starter with the solenoid on the starter (if that makes sense)

Cheers everyone

[bmcecosse]

This is a SURE sign of a bad earth cable connection between engine and body. DO NOT attempt to start it again until you at least clean the connections - or, better, fit a new one !

[Dan]

You need to replace your engine earth, the starter is earthing through the choke cable. You should check the condition of any metallic connection from the engine to the earth as the current involved is large and it can damage throttle, choke & heater (where the valve is fixed to the head) cables and other small conductive links. It can be so bad it welds your throttle cable closed!

[golly]

Battery and starter are off the car. How can I check the starter to see if it's ok?

[Dan]

The starter will be fine, its everything else you need to worry about!

[golly]

Ok thanks. Will do some investigation tomorrow and report back. Cheers

[golly]

Done some investigation and the short seems to be in the solenoid. Next step is to strip it out and see if its a water problem before buying a new starter.

[jonny95]

have you got an earth strap fitted on the engine, mine did this when i forgot to put the earth strap back on

[KernowCooper]

As said above if the choke cable is getting hot the engine is finding a new way to earth to complete the electrical circuit, this is the only way the choke cable can be getting hot, and the problems not in the solenoid causing the heat, You need to locate the current earth strap and remove and clean the connections or replace the strap if its looking frail. As a test connect one end of a jump lead to the engine block and one end to the bulkhead stabliser bolt, and then you wont have a hot choke cable.

[Dan]

Why do you think there is short in the solenoid? Even if there is, this would be an unrelated problem.

[golly]

I did a bench test and the solenoid is defiantly faulty. The hot cable is probably an earthing problem and will check that too. As suggested the two thing may not be related..... the joys of owning classic minis ...... but I'm not selling!!!

[tiger99]

The hot cable is MOST DEFINITELY an earthing problem, as has already been said. You MUST fix that before proceeding, as there are also other very damaging paths which the current may be taking, not just the cables.

[Kat7Racing]

The other route that gets hot is the throttle cable..... and that can melt the coveing giving you a sticky throttle. NOT something you want to have when pulling up to that T junction. As all above have suggested, check all your earh straps and make sure you have an engine to subframe earth strap fitted

[golly]

Starter cleaned and back on the car and cleaned engine earth strap - still not working - used jumpleads as additional earthing straps and hey presto turn of the key and he bursts into life - yes it's an earthing problem and a new strap is on the shopping list - I should listen to you guys and go straight to earthing - would have saved me a lot of time! Thank you to all who have helped me get me to the route of Golly-Gosh's problem

[KernowCooper]

Starter cleaned and back on the car and cleaned engine earth strap - still not working - used jumpleads as additional earthing straps and hey presto turn of the key and he bursts into life - yes it's an earthing problem and a new strap is on the shopping list - I should listen to you guys and go straight to earthing - would have saved me a lot of time! Thank you to all who have helped me get me to the route of Golly-Gosh's problem

Glad your sorted mate.