3 replies to this topic

[georgegannon]

Hi guys! 

 

got a problem somewhere in the ignition process. 

 

i have a tendency to babble so i'l keep the long story short and to the point. 

all your help is very much appreciated though! 

 

-woman reversed into mini months ago bending in the front panel and crushing dizzy cap. 

-replaced dizzy cap but realised the 1 of two clips also missing. 

-all damages fixed also.

-bodged  dizzy cap clip, worked fine for a while. 

-then started hearing 'clacking' when starting her up after a while. 

-this got progressively worse. 

-assumed dizzy cap not secure enough. 

-replaced clip. 

-all ok. 

-clacking then starts again a week or so again later (cars a daily runner) .. but still starts after making abit of a racket.

-left mini in garage for 10 days or so due to holiday. 

-got back, battery flat (expected) jump charged for a while, as i knew there where ignition problems anyway.

-went to start.. clacking going nuts.. kept trying for a while as engine cold. 

-small amount of smoke then starts raising from front end (bonnet up already, friend said possibly coming from dizzy cap) 

-stop trying to start engine.

-gave it 20 minutes, tried one last time, and nothing.. not even any clacking. 

-battery been charging for a while and still nothing. 

 

can anyone tell me what might have gone? 

 

ive looked into it a little, starter motor, solenoid, coil etc..  

im willing to replace any part i need, but im worried it will be really expensive! 

 

again, really appreciate your help in advance! 

cars a daily runner so im panicking! lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lrostoke]

what year is the car, if the dizzy cap got broke its possible the starter solenoid was damaged and is causing a short

[georgegannon]

thanks for the reply! 

 

its a 1990 mini city. 

 

i replaced the dizzy cap. and the replacement was a long time ago now. its a daily runner and was fine for a while after i replaced it. even with the bodged clip. i originally thought it was that, that was causing the clacking. but after replacing the clip all was fine again. 

 

ive been told it sounds like my starter motor has gone, it was working properly before, hence the clacking. but worked enough to start eventually. 

now after trying so much its just stopped working completely. when going to start her, there is nothing atall. a very very tiny clicking noise in or near the key barrel maybe. 

 

could this be the case?

 

really appreciate all your help

[carnage]

hi there dont know if you have fixed it yet ,but can you explain clacking noise .

is this noise before engine turns over or while it turns,as it sounds like you are describing a car with flat battery or bad connection problems.

the smoke you mentioned under the bonnet could be a bad connection at the solenoid or a bad engine earth.

disconect the battery or better still remove it charge it up, while its chargeing check all connections on the starter check the starter bolts are tight and check the engine earth straps are clean and tight.

reconnect the battery and give that a go,least you have coverd the basics then.