6 replies to this topic

[TheFunkyGibbon]

Afternoon all...

I just got back from my jolly holidays (3 weeks in the sun) only to find that the mini is a non-starter.

When the key is turned I can hear a sound like an old typewriter, coming from the starter motor end of the engine bay.

The battery meter on the dash is showing around 8v before i turn the key, then it dips towards 1v when i turn the ignition.

Any clues on the problem + any ideas on asolution???

Cheers,

FG.

[scottyegg]

is the noise like a click ? when you turn the key into the 3rd position ?

+ has your car got the solinoid on the drivers side wing ? or on the starter motor ?

might be a bad earth !

[Sprocket]

Do you have an alarm fitted to the car and was it switched on?

Alarm left on for three weeks without moving the car = flat battery

The solution is to charge the battery. Next time you leave the car for this long, remove the battery

Edited by Mini Sprocket, 09 April 2007 - 04:52 PM.

[Gazman]

Sounds like a flat battery to me...

[Dev]

FG you still at the same place??

Could pop down and have a look

[Doooeks]

My money's on a flat battery.

When you turn the key, you send 12V to the switch wire of the solenoid. The solenoid closes (with a click) which virtually shorts the battery across the Starter motor coil.

If your battery is good, oodles of current flows and everything's fine, starter turns & Engine starts.

If your battery is low, the battery can't supply enough current so the voltage drops.
When it drops too low to hold the solenoid on, it switches off (click), opening the circuit through the starter and the voltage rises again. When it gets high enough, the solenoid engages again (Click) and the voltage drops...
When it drops too low to hold the solenoid on, it switches off (click), opening the circuit through the starter and the voltage rises again. When it gets high enough, the solenoid engages again (Click) and the voltage drops... etc.

As this happens very quickly, the clicks sound like a rattle (or a typewriter)

[TheFunkyGibbon]

For those of you betting on the problem.....

Called my dad to nip down with some jump leads....rolled it back so he could get the leads on.

Thought i'd have one more try before jump starting it and Hay Presto started first time.

I think the starter motor had stuck for some reason, then when I rolled it for a short distance (in gear) it's somehow freed it up.

Either that or it was just unhappy with me leaving it on it's lonesome in works car park for three weeks.

For future reference I'll leave the battery on trickle charge next time as I now have a garage for it to live in

Cheers for the suggestions all.

FG.