11 replies to this topic

[Keafie18]

Hi everyone, 

 

new to minis and new here so please bear with me. 

 

I acquired a 1996 mini sprite, believe its an SPI, its ran rich since the first day I've had it, lots of black soot and extremely rich smell. It underperformed for quite some time, spluttered when you put your foot down in 3rd and 4th and would often stall randomly when slowing down and changing down into first. Think the previous owner has mucked around with vacuum lines, they look homemade and don't look like they all go to the right places. For example there was no vacuum line from the ECU to the fuel trap? I have bought and fitted one which has fixed some of my issues but believe it's still running rich.

 

I discovered a couple of weeks ago that it had an immobilizer, when I clicked the key fob by accident and it wouldn't start. I was chuffed that it actually worked as apart from that there isn't much to secure the little car. Its been working fine for the past weeks, been driving it every day and having no issues. When immobilized if you open the boot an alarm goes off, guess this should be the same for the doors but guessing the sensors have stopped working?

 

Anyway, I took it out in an evening this week, and for some reason it just lost all power completely, can't remember going over a bump or anything. It didn't exactly cut out instantly, just started to die and throttle was going nothing. Pulled over in the middle of nowhere and began trying things to get it to start. ALL ELECTRICS WERE WORKING, but it WOULDNT CRANK, which is confusing. No crank would be suggesting starter motor issue but why would that have caused it to die? I tried the fuel cut off switch but again this wasn't really going to do anything as fuel isn't really an issue if the engine wont turn over. Immobilizer was still clicking and red light coming on and off but this made no difference, I did notice however, whenever I tried to start the car, the red light would come on and start flashing, it would go away if I immobilized it and de immobilized it again, not sure if this is anything to do with the issue. 

 

Eventually had to get towed home, whilst doing so, I thought I would try a bump start out of curiosity. The engine fired up but the instant I would clutch or touch the throttle it would die out again. 

 

Sorry its so long winded, would really appreciate any help anyone has on this, don't have a clue where to go from here, used to completely mechanical old land rovers where electrics aren't really and issue so bit clueless lol.

 

Thanks 

 

Keith

[MiniLuke]

A guess…

Battery has reached the end of life, but has enough to show electrics working, but not enough to power the starter, nor the fuel pump when bumped started even with alternator providing charge. Maybe starting using the immobiliser has sapped the final life from it.

Try another battery.

[Keafie18]

Highly doubtful to be honest because it started straight up when I took it out and I had only been driving for a matter of minutes, ill give it a try though thanks for the suggestion

[viz139]

First thing I would check is Fuse 8. That would cause the engine to die and not restart. 

If all the fuses are ok I would suspect the MEMS relay pack on top of the servo. They are prone to getting moisture inside and damaging the circuit board. Its a common problem with cars that have been neglected ,as yours seem to been.  For any SPi to run right all vacumn hoses must be 100%.

[minimat]

check the power feed to the starter motor are good and clean as well as making sure the main engine earth is good as well as the battery earth in the boot.

Edited by minimat, 23 August 2022 - 09:37 AM.

[Keafie18]

Guys, any other suggestions would be super helpful, ive sent the immobilizer away to be checked, its ok according to an expert, still everything goes dead when i turn to crank the engine, brand new battery, not making any difference, if it is anything to do with the mems relay pack would it not be a starter issue and if so why would it have died? wondering if my ECU has packed in entirely...

will take any suggestions 

Edited by Keafie18, 13 October 2022 - 03:44 PM.

[Quinlan minor]

Just a thought, problem might be the ignition switch. Check all connections are good, under load.

[xrocketengineer]

Have you charged the battery? It seems that since you were driving at night the battery got drained. Its possible that alternator is not charging the battery. 

Edited by xrocketengineer, 25 September 2022 - 12:31 AM.

[bpirie1000]

Try taking the starter out and firing it over on the bench. Also check the wires at the pre engaged section.

Having bump started it this would rule out the flywheel not spining....

All ignigtion lights on with a good strong 12v rules out the battery.

Fuel pump priming?
Fuel filter checked?
Crank sensor checked?
Distributor tight?

[Keafie18]

Sorry to not keep this updated. The mini now turns over, had the immobiliser sent away and checked and changed fuse 8 which i think has solved the cranking issue. It still wont start though. I have checked it for spark and it has spark so assuming it is a problem with the fuel. I cant seem to hear the fuel pump do anything when the ignitions on but not sure what else to check, dont want to buy a new fuel pump if its not an issue.

[xrocketengineer]

Have you checked the inertial switch?

 

https://www.theminif...on/#entry230959

 

[Gabor]

HI,

 

According to the sympthoms, most probably the crank sensor will be faulty. You find it underneeth the starter motor. 

 

Gabor