22 replies to this topic

[Vicky1000]

So last night I went to go out in the Mini, but when I turned the key absolutely nothing happened. I have power to everything electrical but when the key is turned nothing happens, no noises absolutely nothing. What could this be? The Minis MOT is Friday so need to sort the problem ASAP. Any help would be much appreciated

Oh and it's not the battery because even when trying to jump start it I still get nothing.

Edited by Vicky1000, 08 September 2014 - 08:36 AM.

[JetBlackEreg]

Check the ignition barrel connection, that happened to me and I was stuck at work. 

 

Take off the steering plastic cowl thing, check condition of the wires etc

[Bubblebobble]

Is it turning over at all?

 

 

If not , is it making a clicky clack sound ?

[Bubblebobble]

My haines book says 

 

discharged or defective battery or loose leads/terminals

 

defective starter solenoid or broken wirin

 

engine earth strap disconnected or snapped [ ive had that ]

 

 jammed starter motor drive pinion.

[Vicky1000]

Check the ignition barrel connection, that happened to me and I was stuck at work. 

 

Take off the steering plastic cowl thing, check condition of the wires etc

We've checked the wires and they seem fine

 

Is it turning over at all?

 

 

If not , is it making a clicky clack sound ?

Nope not turning over at all, no noises

 

My haines book says 

 

discharged or defective battery or loose leads/terminals

 

defective starter solenoid or broken wirin

 

engine earth strap disconnected or snapped [ ive had that ]

 

 jammed starter motor drive pinion.

The terminals are connected and don't believe it is battery as wouldn't jump start. The earth strap is also fine as I changed that a few weeks ago.

 

Is there any way of testing whether it is the solenoid?

[exuptoy]

I've had this twice in the last 2 weeks.

 

The first was I found a wire screwed to the gear lever surround when I was fitting my quick shift which was earthing something!!! I made sure the connection was good and it sorted it.

 

The second time I had been pulling on the wiring under the bonnet trying to tidy things up under there and the wire going to the starter was supplying 12v to the terminal when checked with a multimeter but the terminal was a little rusty and the crimp was loose. I pulled it off and squeezed it up a little and it started perfectly. There was a click from the relay box when I tried cranking it by the way.

[exuptoy]

If you can short a spanner or screwdriver across the 2 x big terminals on the starter solenoid it will prove the battery is ok as it will spin over. Alternatively try and bump start the car. If it is starter solenoid or motor related it will bump. At least that will rule out anything else.

Edited by exuptoy, 08 September 2014 - 09:06 AM.

[Bubblebobble]

[exuptoy]

Never noticed the bit where you said it won't jump start. Was this with another battery connected by leads? Will the car bump start with a shove?

[Bubblebobble]

Its got to be the solenoid then ?????

[Vicky1000]

Never noticed the bit where you said it won't jump start. Was this with another battery connected by leads? Will the car bump start with a shove?

Yeah was connected directly to another car and no won't numb start either. Would the no clicking indicate it being the solenoid?

[Bubblebobble]

If the solenoid clicks it means its working so i would take it its dead  , have a look at the video above its shows how you can test it [ you could do it on the car ] 

[Vicky1000]

If the solenoid clicks it means its working so i would take it its dead  , have a look at the video above its shows how you can test it [ you could do it on the car ] 

Okay thank you! Ill watch that video later when I go back to mini (lucky it happened on boyfriends drive and not in a car park) and lucky due to me working at halfords I can get hold of solenoid today. So will let you know how it goes later

[Bubblebobble]

I think there are different types on on the starter [ oldones ] and after 1983 mounted on the wing [ that ones only a £10] .

 

Hopefully thats it . If you havent got a haynes manual [ i bet you have ] it would be worth getting one ..

 

All the best Tom

[89miniflame]

older minis with inertia starters have the wing mounted solenoid.

 

does the car have an immobiliser ? the fact that nothing happens when turning the key sounds like its maybe killing the ignition circuit due to an electrical fault.

 

may be a good idea to get a multimeter and check if the solenoid is even getting power and the fuses / relays etc.