5 replies to this topic

[cheesebadger]

Hi all,

 

My mini has been standing for 12 months (I broke my leg so couldn't drive) It is the inertia style starter with button style solenoid mounted to the transfer casing. I have done all testing with the car attached via jump leads to a running car.

 

When I try to start the car the starter motor DOES turn, but it feels very slow. The car will not start, there is spark, compression and fuel.

 

If I remove the spark plugs the starter motor spins much faster.

 

When trying to start the engine, the voltage across the starter motor is less than 10V when I am trying to start the car. Can anyone confirm how to test this and what readings I should be getting?

 

I thought this meant there wasn't enough current getting through to the starter motor. So I have removed, cleaned and refitted both the engine to body earth strap and the battery to body earth strap. Still the same issues...

 

I am all out of ideas, and was hoping to get an MOT this week. Any help appreciated...

 

Thanks,

Rich

 

 

[carbon]

Voltage at the starter motor could well drop below 10 volts when cranking a cold motor. Is it a 1275?

 

Not clear from your post if you also have the battery in the boot all connected up as well, if this battery has been standing for 12 months then it may not be at its best.

 

If you don't have a battery connected in the Mini then you will be limited by the quality of the jump leads and how good the connections are on the croc clips. Cheap jump leads are really not up to the job for a 1275, after a short while you can feel them getting hot.

[MrBounce]

It might also be worth checking the state of your earth lead in the engine bay. A poor one can lead to such symptoms. Add a second one if you've got one to hand. Might make a big difference.

[cheesebadger]

Thanks for all the replies.

It is only an 1100 so not as bad as a 1275. I have battery fitted and I am connecting the jump leads directly to it. Is this ok, or could you suggest another way?

Not sure how good the jump leads are, I will see how hot they are getting. Thanks

I have already checked and refitted the existing earth straps, but I suppose and extra couldn't do any harm. Shall I use the same mounting points or different? Suggestions? Thanks.

My other thought is that maybe the bendix is stuck engaged with the flywheel. Meaning that the load is too high to turn the starter. I think that normally the bendix only engages with the flywheel when the starter motor is above a certain speed? I think this may also match my symptoms, I'll try cleaning it up tomorrow. Does this sound like a reasonable idea?

Thanks again, Rich

[carbon]

Connecting the jump leads to the battery is easiest way. Has the battery in the car been fully charged up, and have you checked that the battery clamps are well tight?

 

Sticking starter pinion would not give the symptoms you describe. Only matters when the engine starts...

[kristian666]

get it running either via a bump or a jump , and test the power coming from the alternator , if this is ok check the battery is holding its amps , if these are both ok check earth leads , engine to body which is on the engine steady bar on the top left of the engine , and the earth lead in the boot to the body , if these are all clean and making a good earth then next port of call is the starter solenoid set up depending on age its either a separate solenoid mounted on the inner flitch or on the starter itself , this may just need a bit of a clean or replacing , your worst case scenario is you have a lazy starter ie knackered ! unless no one has played with the timing or uped the compression it should spin it over easily