2 replies to this topic

[mini.joe-mk1]

Hi
Hopefully someone can help, I’ve searched on the forum and found some info but no one seems to have experienced the same issue I’m having.
I have a 1997 Rover mini mpi, the car is used regularly and has been upto this point pretty faultless, last couple of days it struggled to start, never actually failed but very laboured like the battery was weak. This morning it struggled to start again so I went and bought a new battery. Fitted the new battery but didn’t tighten anything down just though test it first, tried the car and it started straight up, I ran it for a few seconds then switched it off and tighten the bolts on the battery terminals and put everything back in place. Went to start the car again to move it straight after and nothing, completely dead?
I thought maybe the key fob for the immobiliser was not in sync after changing the battery so attempted to recode it by pressing the unlock button 4 times but still wouldn’t start?

The alarm fob is working correctly as I can arm and disarm the alarm no problem and when I turn the key to start I get the srs light, battery and oil pressure lights and I can hear the fuel pump prime but still won’t even turn over.
So my currently process is like this…

1. Arm/lock the immobiliser, red led flashes repeatedly to indicate alarm is armed
2. Press the left button to disarm, led on dash goes out
3. Turn key to position 2 and dash lights come on, fuel pump primes
4. Turn key to start and nothing, does not attempt to turn over but all electrics still work.

I’ve tried switching over the new battery back to the old one but still the same. I’ve replaced the alarm fob batteries and try to recode, I’ve tried disconnecting the car battery for 45 mins then reconnect but nothing has worked?

Is there something obvious I’m missing? Any help ideas would be hugely appreciated. Apologies for the long post and I realise I have probably repeated myself a bit in this post! Thanks everyone

[bpirie1000]

Check the voltage at the battery. Should be about 12.4


If you have sufficient voltage then try checking

1. Try a jump lead on the engine and a good earth point on the body. The engine earth on these is usually under the top engine steady (pain to get to) and they also seam to fail fairly often. The jump lead will act as a temporRy negative for the engine earth and complete the circuit.


2. If that is all good try the connections at the starter motor. These are right at the front of the engine and appear on most mpi minis they have used cheap thin connectors that appear to be brittle and corrode when let to the elements.

This therefore draining the battery and not giving you any connection to kick the starter motor.

[sonscar]

Goes almost without saying....disconnect the battery before poking at any of the front connections.You may have a corroded high resistance connection which allows the small current to light the dash lamps but not allow the much greater starter current.After an attempt to start feel the connections on the starter and battery to see if they are hot.Be careful.Steve..