9 replies to this topic

[Mindy-Mayfair]

Hello, same Mini another problem. The other day my Mini (1988 mayfair 998cc Auto) was running fine. The next day I came to start her up and there was nothing. On the turn of the key the engine wont turn over and all that I can hear coming from the engine bay is a click coming from what i think is the ignition starter relay positioned on the left hand side next to the washer bottle. I've checked all obvious things i.e flat battery, gear in neutral (as its auto). I've also replaced the relay but with the replacement which P+L mini rotherham assured me was the right one I don't even get the click when the key is turned. Can anybody help?
Thanks

[walks]

could be a bad earth on the solenoid or starter motor - reomoving them and cleaning them with a wire brush might help

[minislapper]

The clicking is the starter solenoid which, as you say, is on the left hand side.

Try putting the old one back on.

If you get the ticking again but nothing else, try hitting the starter motor with something hard and heavy and see if that does the trick.

Are you sure the new solenoid or whatever they gave you, if wired up correctly?

[Big_Adam]

if you go the hitting route. get someone to help. its slightly difficult truing to turn the key, hold the bonnet with your head and hit the starter with the end of a spanner all at the same time.

[minislapper]

Not necessarily. The hitting doesn't have to correspond to the turning of the key !

[Big_Adam]

did when i did it last week.

[Guess-Works.com]

If it's an old inertia type starter, then all you have to do is turn the spindle on the end, but that being said, the problem is indicative of a tired commutator or brushes on the motor...

[Jammy]

if you go the hitting route. get someone to help. its slightly difficult truing to turn the key, hold the bonnet with your head and hit the starter with the end of a spanner all at the same time.

And this would be quite a stupid thing to do. The starter (the inertia anyway) motor is earthed through its body. If the metal end of the spanner was to hit the positive terminal and the body of the starter at the same time you'd realise what a silly idea it was!

[Big_Adam]

And this would be quite a stupid thing to do. The starter (the inertia anyway) motor is earthed through its body. If the metal end of the spanner was to hit the positive terminal and the body of the starter at the same time you'd realise what a silly idea it was!

right....ok. right. the inertia is the flingy one without the solinoid. ok. when i hit mine i tend not to bash the end thats under the dizzy. when the grill is on and its 1.am i;m not the sort of person to take off the grill and hit the end of the starter. i hit the top between the dizzy and the wires. mainly beause its the easyest bit to hit while turning the key and holding that bonnet with my head.

back on topic. Mindy-Mayfair, did you get it sorted in the end?

[Dan]

Every single time I've had this happen it's been a dodgy battery earth connection. Is the battery earth tight at both ends? Is it frayed much? Is it there at all? Is there vaseline over the battery end clamp and terminal?