9 replies to this topic

[Royalasaforce]

New one for me. Thought I'd go and give the mini a run to the shops. Started fine got to the shops and now won't start. Just a small click from the relay.
Battery reads 12.6v and I've swapped the relay and still nothing.
Am I safe to assume starter has failed?

[mbolt998]

Don't know what year this Mini is. Mine has an inertia pinion starter motor. But I had a Metro once that did this. It used an electric solenoid to engage the pinion which sometimes got stuck. If you give the pinion casing a sharp tap with a suitable bar (a socket set extension bar for example) and a medium-sized hammer it might free it up. But it will probably happen again.

[Royalasaforce]

Got it started after about 5 minutes of hitting it with a bar.
Is this a sign I need a new stater?

[Royalasaforce]

It's a 1991 a+ 998 engine

[bpirie1000]

The solenoid can be taken off and maintained. Sometimes the just get clogged up with dust from the flywheel.

Always worth a try.. if it is broken and not working then can not break it further.....

[mbolt998]

Got it started after about 5 minutes of hitting it with a bar.
Is this a sign I need a new stater?

I never got past the hitting it stage before some toe-rag stole the Metro (it was an MG). It was only an intermittent problem or it might have been a better security feature.

[PACINO]

Hello. I've had that problem for years. It is very important first; a strong battery. Second, a quality solenoid (the old ones were better). If it is one of those that are anchored to the inner wing, it should make good dough. Sometimes it is convenient to rub a piece of sandpaper in that place on the sheet so that there is good metal-solenoid contact.
And third; The starter motor must rotate strongly. Disassembling it and cleaning the inside with a brush and gasoline renewing the contact point brushes is essential.

[PACINO]

[andyapanel]

It sounds like the Bendix gear is playing up
It used to happen a lot to my Allegros, but they were not pre engaged
If you clean the Bendix gear regularly you will avoid the no start situation
I used to carry an engineering hammer to tap the motor if it was recalcitrant

[Royalasaforce]

I think I found the issue. Where the cable comes out the starter and goes to the solenoid. The not wasn't tight (about an inch of threads loose)
I think it's always been like that so surprised it's only happened once tbf