5 replies to this topic

[chilli]

I have a problem with my SPI Cooper. It has been stood in a dark garage for a year having bodywork done (the longest job in the history of mini refurbishment but that's another story). Basically, I finally got to drive it this weekend and straight away it kept cutting out when on low revs. Also, the fuel gauge didn't register, I had only 1 rear light, no number plate light, no full beam, 1 side light and the fog light was permanently on when the headlights were switched on. All of these things were fine pre standing in a garage for a year.

When it went back to the garage they fixed the problems with an explanation something along the lines of "a wire to the battery negative earth thingy was broken and this was causing the electrical problems and also causing the stalling". Only it hasn't solved the stalling problem. Completely anyway. It runs fine on startup and for a while, but then it seems once the engine is warm it cuts out when the revs are low. So at every junction or when I come to a stop it coughs and stops. It starts again straight away but is sooo annoying!

Although this is my fourth mini it is my first Cooper and there has been a gap of 14 years or so since the last - so my technical knowledge is sadly lacking I'm afraid. Any ideas what I can try?

(I have just driven from Cornwall to Belgium where I work by the way, and this was the only problem. There is a real lack of minis in this part of the world, and decent garages, so I'm hoping it's not too big a problem...)

[ed4ran]

Best place to start is our FAQ for SPI minis

Clicky 'ere

[Sprocket]

http://www.theminifo...showtopic=20533

I recon it may need the stepper/ idle air tuning, this requiring a service tool unfortunetly but it could be other things too.

[chilli]

http://www.theminifo...showtopic=20533

I recon it may need the stepper/ idle air tuning, this requiring a service tool unfortunetly but it could be other things too.

Thanks Sprocket. This is what we thought the problem was so did try adjusting this as per the Haynes manual. The middle prong part does seem to have moved back towards the bottom though despite our efforts. Is this because we will need a diagnostic as per your guide (Crypton ACT thing) to do it properly, and no matter how many times we try to adjust are destined to fail without?

[Sprocket]

The stepper tuning and idle air/idle speed can only be adjusted with the service tool which has a program that determines the stepper position against idle speed. Indexing the throttle mearly ensures that the stepper has free movement to opperate the throttle the small amount to control idle. If the cable was mal adjusted, the stepper could be carying the extra load generated by the throttle pedal leading to failure of the motor, which again is anothe posible cause.

You realy need to try and get it tuned with a service tool before replacing any parts as most of the time its all it is. Thing is was it ok before it went to the garage, maybe they have tried to tune it incorrectly????

Like I say it could be a number of things and the best way to find out is with the service tool, otherwise it can be come a wild goose chase and a process of throwing parts at it.

[chilli]

Don't think the garage would've tried to tune it because they took a load of short cuts anyway. It was fine before it went in yes. Thanks for the help Sprocket, will try and find a garage that has the correct tools.