27 replies to this topic

[Sparrowlegs77]

I took my car to a well known mini establishment in Stoke-on-Trent this morning to have 4 x spot lights fitted to the front (because you don't fit them to the back) of my 1992 mini Cooper.

 

The gent said that the horn did not work and nor did the flasher so might be an issue with the fuse box.  I knew the horn was working and I sounded it this morning.  So on the drive back home, I tried the horn and it worked.  I thought I will try and flash the lights - the road was clear so I was not trying to dazzle anyone.  As soon as I did that, the drive from the accelerator.  I tried to restart while driving but the engine just turned over and would not start.  I conveniently stopped in the entrance to someone's driveway.  Turned the ignition off, then back on and tried to start the car - again it turned over but would not start. 

 

I phoned the mini establishment who again said check the fuse box.  All fuses appear to be seated correctly, but it just will not start. I don't know whether I am slightly paranoid but I am sure that every so often I get an electrical burning smell.

 

I am incredibly untechnical - any ideas where I can start?  Is the obvious thing to disconnect the relays that were added for the 4 x spot lamps? 

 

I  appreciate any help that can be offered please.

[Avtovaz]

its probably not the relays the problem. Id look at where the relays earth, they may have added onto a point, and disurbed soemthing, or maybe an earth has slipped off or something. 

[Adge456]

I second the earth. If its coming and going, it could be a loose connection where sometimes its not got a strong earth

[Sparrowlegs77]

Thank you for your responses.  Just to add, the vehicle will not start at all but will turn over.  The new spot lamps do work though, but the flash of the main beam does not.  I am not sure if this makes any difference?

[Sparrowlegs77]

Attached to this message should be a photo of the coil - my query here is that there appears to be a spare spade connector.  Should that be the case?

 

Also attached is a picture of the fuse box.  All of the fuses seem ok and connections seem to be firm.

Attached Files

•  coil.jpg   50.51K   10 downloads
•  fuse box.jpg   67.89K   10 downloads

[bpirie1000]

Starter soleniod fried?

[Sparrowlegs77]

How would I test that please one carb or two?

[Tornado99]

First, there looks like a lot of corrosion at all the fuse box and coil connections. Remove each fuse one at a time. Use a small steel/brass bristle brush to thoroughly clean the contacts on the fuse box. Need to be shiny and bright. A bit of vingear to soak the metal in will help convert rust back to metal. Remove one electrical connector at a time, (to avoid mixing them up) and do similar clean up of metal.
Same for the coil terminals. The unused connector may just be a spare one, can't tell from your pic if there is another connection on the same coil stud where empty one is.

Your start/running issue might be any number of electrical issues, from the ignition switch, headlamp flasher switch/circuit, coil power feed, engine and/or chassis grounding point corrosion etc etc.

Ideally you need to test various items with a simple 12v test lamp and or a multimeter. As you state you are not a techie type, probably best to find someone who can investigate fully and get it sorted.

Edited by Tornado99, 26 March 2022 - 05:09 PM.

[sonscar]

I would suspect that fitting the lamps has disturbed some wiring to the coil or distributor.Specialists?gotta love them(of course this is a generalisation,they could be really good)Steve..
PS you can hotwire a coil car in seconds to prove a fault and it does not involve ripping out under dash wiring.

[Tornado99]

Starter soleniod fried?

He is able to turn over/crank engine, just not firing up...so starter motor/start solenoid all OK. Its the ignition that is not working reliably for whatever reason...switch/coil/fuse box/earth points etc. 

[whistler]

Find the ignition feed on the fuse box and check that the connection is not loose. I've had that happen.

[bpirie1000]

In the meantime try find some needles in a nearby haystack.....

Try contacting local mini club and spread some knowledge...or find a mini friendly car garage refferal..

[sonscar]

If the wires sticking out of the grille are an example of the lamp fitters handy work you may have been mistaken as to the specialists abilities.Get a wire with a crocodile clip on each end.Take off the single wire on the coil.Connect one clip to the coil and one to the battery connection on the solenoid.Try starting the engine.do not leave this wire connected for a longish time as you may overheat the coil.You will need to disconnect this wire to stop the engine.Try avoid guessing as only one thing will have gone wrong.Try not to cause any more problems.
Do you know definitely that there is no spark?Have you run out of fuel or a fuel related problem.Be methodical.Steve..

[bpirie1000]

Need a video really. My thinking is the starter cog is not firing out. But spinning in the body. hence the noise...

Need to remove starter and use jump leads on it to mke sure it cranks and fires out...

[Tornado99]

Need a video really. My thinking is the starter cog is not firing out. But spinning in the body. hence the noise...

Need to remove starter and use jump leads on it to mke sure it cranks and fires out...

but title of thread is "turn over but no start". So I take that as cranking engine and no fire up. So that's likely ign not sparking but could also be a fueling or timing issue. Gotta check for spark at plugs and/or HT lead off coil and go from there.