9 replies to this topic

[Mini_Kit]

Hi,

 

Engine is a 998cc from an E plate Classic Mini. Only 30k miles under belt.

 

Just replaced:

- Full service (plugs, filters, etc)

- Dizzy + cap

- HT leads

- Alternator

- Starter motor

- Radiator + hoses

- Resistive wire with in line resistor

- SU carb cleaned and is operating fine

 

She has been mothballed for a while prior and we had the engine turning over and firing last summer before the above work was done.

 

Now when we try to restart her, the engine catches and revs while on the starter motor, however, once the key is release back to position 2, the engine dies. No follow on or attempt to idle.

 

We figured it might be the ignition switch, so replaced that, but with the same result.

 

Kind of think it's an electrical problem, but not sure what to check.

 

Any thoughts out there?

 

 

[cal844]

Sounds like the plug leads arent on right, double check the firing order

[MiniMadRacer]

Check you have power to the coil when the key is in Position II with the panel lights on the dashboard illuminated.

[GraemeC]

As above - sounds like your missing the main ignition feed to the coil and it’s running on the cranking bypass.

Post some picture of your coil connections.

Edited by GraemeC, 28 June 2020 - 10:18 PM.

[dotmatrix]

pre-engaged starter?

[Mini_Kit]

Lots of head scratching and YouTube videos later, I gave in and got an expert in. (Thxs Bedford Tich!)

 

After a few umm, ahhs and probing with the magic lamp turns out that nothing was going through the recently fitted ballast. By passed the ballast and she fired up ran fine.

 

Still unsure what was broken and how it was fixed, but now tuned and runs much better. Will need to revisit the mixture at a later date as running a little rich, but cross that bridge later.

 

Thxs all for the input.

[pete l]

If you bypass the ballast, surely you will burn out the coil.

[cal844]

If the resistor wire is bypassed you'll need to fit a 12v coil.

[Ethel]

...unless the OP already has a 12v coil, which'd explain why it wouldn't run with a ballasted supply.

[cal844]

...unless the OP already has a 12v coil, which'd explain why it wouldn't run with a ballasted supply.

Yes, that's quite possible too I suppose