42 replies to this topic

[Mikalv]

Last week I did some minor work on my mini. I started it up and allowed it to rund for a while, noticing that the battery was running low I took it out of the car and went home to pick ut the charger. I didn't have time go get back that same evening so I took the charger with me today and let the battery charge while I was fixing the headlamps. After an hour or so I put the battery back in the car and tried to start.

I am able to disable the alarm (red light goes off), I can hear the fuel pump working as normal and the engine turns over just fine but is not able to fire at all. I checked most of the wires, and used a contact spray where I could. I also took apar the fuse box since this had acted up before but nothing.
I also cheched the "kill switch" on the right hand side but the button seem to be moving freely just as it should. Also: no spark :/

Any ideas?

Mini MPI 1998 standard 1,3 with kn filter and RC40 exhaust.

Edited by Mikalv, 10 March 2013 - 09:55 PM.

[Fast Ivan]

Are you getting a spark at each of the leads? Although I would charge the battery overnight.

[nev_payne]

Exactly the same symtoms I've had recently, after 3 days of checking it just sprung to life again - I'm suspectiing a dodgy ignition module on mine.

Edited by nev_payne, 10 March 2013 - 05:51 PM.

[Mikalv]

Are you getting a spark at each of the leads? Although I would charge the battery overnight.

Forgot to write in the description. No, actually I'm not getting a spark.

[Mikalv]

Exactly the same symtoms I've had recently, after 3 days of checking it just sprung to life again - I'm suspectiing a dodgy ignition module on mine.

I had the same problem with mine, irratic behaviour, but that was due to a faulty fuse box in the engine bay. I replaced this with a fusebox made for boats, shouldn't be a problem any more. Could be worth a check maybe?

[nev_payne]

Yeah, I covered bases on that with a new fuse box and 4 new maxi fuses, could be that it needs checking though, good call.

[Ipod]

edit.... asked if you checked the fuel cutt off.... you had

Edited by Ipod, 10 March 2013 - 07:11 PM.

[Mikalv]

Yeah, I covered bases on that with a new fuse box and 4 new maxi fuses, could be that it needs checking though, good call.

Thanks, let me know if it works out.

[Mikalv]

edit.... asked if you checked the fuel cutt off.... you had

Well, hard to spot when I called it a "kill switch" :)

[Ipod]

no me bad, i speed read

[Mikalv]

Any ideas? No spark.. faulty immobilizer or something?

[Fast Ivan]

if you can disable the imobilser and can hear the fuel pump then its not the imobiliser. Have you checked all of the leads for sparks? just to be sure that its not a single lead that gone. also make sure all of the leads are secure at the coil and the feed to the coil is good. after that you will need to check the coil itself, for this you will need a multimeter.

[Mikalv]

if you can disable the imobilser and can hear the fuel pump then its not the imobiliser.

Aha. I was under the impression that the immobilizer stopped the spark not the fuel.

[Fast Ivan]

if you can disable the imobilser and can hear the fuel pump then its not the imobiliser.

Aha. I was under the impression that the immobilizer stopped the spark not the fuel.

but if you can imobilise the car then it cant be the imobiliser?
Your issue could be the ECU or wiring, but not the imobiliser. But don't assume the ECU to be at fault just yet, you need to carry out further checks first starting with the coil pack.

[Mikalv]

Thanks Rob.

Could you give me some pointers regarding the coil pack? I haven't been down that road just yet and a bit green when it comes to what I am looking for.