19 replies to this topic

[jessieharlin87]

Hello everyone,

 

I have had a nightmare of a time with my much loved Mini (1998 mph 1.3i Cooper). To cut a long story short, intermitent problem, revs would die, car would cut out, breakdown would turn up an hour later and would start and drive fine again. Kept happening every few days. Garage replaced crank sensor, engine relay, checked all electrics (found only a few 'dirty wires') and eventually thought it was an ecu fault. Had ecu prepared last year by an ecu prepare company that came with lifetime guarantee, they sent it back this time 'repaired' again but still same intermitent issue, it has been back and forth at least 3 or 4 times to the ecu place, they insist the ecu is fine and say its electrical, my garage insists electrics look fine as far as they can see.

 

My garage have now said to fix it for sure it would need a new ecu and wiring loom...reckons in total it will come to £1500+ (gulp). Does this sound right and where can I get an ecu (mkc104292) and wiring loom (Ysb106650) for a decent price please?

 

I've got a video of the car doing it's intermitent problem, here's a link to the video on my Facebook page https://www.facebook...153897169870568 First part is trying to start it after it had already cut out once, middle part is about an hour later when it had started again but about 1:09 in, you can see what I mean about the rev's cutting out, last bit it trying to start up again.

 

I love the mini so much, so many people keep telling me to get rid but I'm really wanting to keep it!

Any advise very much appreciated.

 

Thank you, Jessie

[Fast Ivan]

are you getting sparks at each of the leads during its little episodes?

[jessieharlin87]

Garage have said the spark plugs are all good.. I'm not very technical so I think thats what you mean? 

[Fast Ivan]

Not quite, what I mean is that it could be that your coil pack is playing up, often this happens when its got hot, this can cause a weak or no spark from one or more of the ignition leads. So the next time it happens check that there's a good spark coming from all of the ignition leads. It's easy to do, Google it, at the very least it will tell you that the coil pack is ok

[Fast Ivan]

Also, it sounds to me like the garage is out of ideas if their solution is to replace the ecu and loom. They should know that you also need it matched to the alarm module and the key fobs. But if it's been checked then it's most likely ok. The loom could be the issue, possibly damaged in some way, check behind the air filter box, it can get damaged there easily.
Is the garage a mini specialist?

[Itsaminithing]

....Is the garage a mini specialist?

 

The question should be -is this garage competent enough to fix any car?

 

Jessie: you'd be an idiot to even consider letting these people take more money off of you -they've got less knowledge about fixing the car than you have (nobody expects you to be an expert on automotive matters.... but they should be!).

You need to find a genuine Mini specialist in your area, perhaps the Bristol Mini & Cooper Club can point you in the right direction

http://www.b-m-c-c.co.uk/

It's not worth going through the myriad list of what could be wrong but hopefully it will be as simple as a problem that had everyone baffled on my car for months- the battery clamp was loose on the cable! & that didn't cost me £1500 to fix.

 

[MRA]

Also, it sounds to me like the garage is out of ideas if their solution is to replace the ecu and loom. They should know that you also need it matched to the alarm module and the key fobs. But if it's been checked then it's most likely ok. The loom could be the issue, possibly damaged in some way, check behind the air filter box, it can get damaged there easily.
Is the garage a mini specialist?

 

Sounds like the garage owner wants a holiday in the Caribbean.... well maybe Clacton but you get the idea.

[MRA]

As an MPI you could get it code read....  just a thought

 

Is it really an 1998mph 1.3i Cooper ? I could never get that speed out of mine

Edited by MRA, 22 March 2016 - 12:05 AM.

[Itsaminithing]

Is it really an 1998mph 1.3i Cooper ? I could never get that speed out of mine

 

Perhaps you lack the knowledge & experience to set the engine up properly  

Sorry, i just couldn't resist .
 

[gazza82]

Does the MPI have a timing sensor (on timing case/crank pulley)? Just on some moderns if this starts to fail it makes starting while warm very difficult.

 

I agree with the rest .. take it to someone that knows what they are doing.

[MRA]

Does the MPI have a timing sensor (on timing case/crank pulley)? Just on some moderns if this starts to fail it makes starting while warm very difficult.

 

I agree with the rest .. take it to someone that knows what they are doing.

 

SPi and MPi both share the same sensor position, it is tucked underneath and sort of behind the starter motor.

 

The OP has paid for a new crank sensor....

 

I would get it to a Mini specialist not somebody who calls themselves a Mini specialist because they have no idea how to fix other cars...  what I would do is phone my local clubs and ask if they could recommend anyone, you may find they all recommend the same company and it should then be all smiles... 

 

But one thing is for sure I would NOT give your current bodger more money, they clearly have no idea, yet will gladly take money off you

Edited by MRA, 22 March 2016 - 10:46 AM.

[minisilverbullet]

I echo the advice by others, explain to the garage that you would like a second opinion. then take your car and run! 

[Itsaminithing]

Jessie, do you know the last time the fuel filter was changed?

-It's mounted on the rear subframe & should be changed every few years, wouldn't surprise me if it was the clogged up original unit & nobody has bothered to check your fuel pressure.

[jessieharlin87]

Thank you all for getting back to me! Your advise has been really valuable...I have booked myself into Somerford Mini's next week. My local garage said the fuel filter, timing sensor and the coil pack is all fine... So they say! However I have just collected it from them and it is WORSE before it was just intermittent so I thought I could properly drive it to Somerford Mini's from Bristol however I barely managed to get it home from the garage just 2 minutes away. It had no revs, barely any power and there was a small amount of smoke when I looked under the bonnet which looked as if it was from the engine :s They said that that there is only sparks from 2 of the spark plugs so its driving on just 2 cylinders and that there is no output from pin 25 of the ECU. 

 

All that being said, does anyone know of a cheap towing company so I can get the mini to Somerford's? 

 

Thanks...very sad mini owner...

[Fast Ivan]

Try a new coil pack before you splash out more money. If you can get to me I have one you can try