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Car Forum / MINI / April 2005

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Mk1 Ignition Problems

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news.iol.ie - 30 Mar 2005 21:36 GMT
Hi,

Have just replaced the starter solenoid on my MK1 Cooper 998.  Prior to
replacing it, I had plenty of juice in the battery (headlights working,
ignition circuit live etc.), but the starter motor wouldn't turn on the key.

Having just replaced the solenoid with an original Lucas (I know - 'prince
of darkness') part, I now have abolsutely no power!  I had disconnected the
battery earth strap prior to fitting the solenoid - I have made sure that I
reconnected it properly...no juice at all.

Anybody have any ideas???

Please reply to the thread as I have not used a proper email address.

Many thanks,

Art (in Dublin)
Graham W - 31 Mar 2005 03:15 GMT
> Have just replaced the starter solenoid on my MK1 Cooper 998.  Prior to
> replacing it, I had plenty of juice in the battery (headlights working,
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Anybody have any ideas???

The starter solenoid has two heavy cables attached to it. One comes up
from the battery; the other goes to the starter.

It also has s small wire to a seperate terminal, that's just the "start"
signal from the ignition switch, when you apply power there, the
solenoid contacts close.

Finally, it has a bunch of other wires attached to the same side as the
battery lead.

If you connect the battery lead to the starter side and the starter lead
to the battery side.....

Do I need to explain any further?
news.iol.ie - 31 Mar 2005 18:17 GMT
You were right!  Thats what I get for hurrying to finish a job when it was
getting dark......

Now I have twigged that the original problem wasn't the solenoid at all -
seems to be the starter motor.  There is an audible click when the solenoid
contacts close, but nothing else.  After a few tries, the high tension lead
from the solenoid to the starter was warm, as was the starter motor itself.
I tried cranking the square ended bolt sticking out of the motor a few
times, but it made no difference. (impossible to get at this)

Are there any easy tests I can do?  I have no idea whether motors just
seize, or die entirely.  Prior to this problem occuring the starter had been
working fine, and after a drive of about 40 mins, when the engine was turned
off, suddenly I couldn't restart the car.

>> Have just replaced the starter solenoid on my MK1 Cooper 998.  Prior to
>> replacing it, I had plenty of juice in the battery (headlights working,
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Do I need to explain any further?
Clive W - 31 Mar 2005 18:26 GMT
Try starting the car with the lights switched on. If they dim then the
starter is still taking power from the battery.  I had this on my Mini
Clubman. It was a jammed pinion on the starter. Removing and refitting the
starter motor cured the problem.

Signature

Clive

www.minisquad.tk

> You were right!  Thats what I get for hurrying to finish a job when it was
> getting dark......
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> been working fine, and after a drive of about 40 mins, when the engine was
> turned off, suddenly I couldn't restart the car.
fragged - 01 Apr 2005 12:28 GMT
hi
Take the starter out of the hole its only 2 bolts and easier if you remove
the grille.

Earth the body of the starter on the side of the engine and get someone to
turn the key and see if it spins. you also want to see the bendix throw
itself to the other end of the shaft and return when stopped.

If the solinoid has a rubber button on top in the middle of the heavy
cables you can push that to turn the starter. if not it will be solid and
you cant do it that way. ( i dont know why they did away with that idea ?)

There is another way with a screwdriver or spanner but thats dangerous and
I'm not tellin you how,, nor should anyone else..

fragged

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Art (in Dublin)
TurboJo - 01 Apr 2005 17:23 GMT
You can use a metal watch strap aswell but it tends to burn your wrist and
make you bang your head on the bonnet.

> hi
>  Take the starter out of the hole its only 2 bolts and easier if you remove
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
> >
> > Art (in Dublin)
Tim - 02 Apr 2005 20:01 GMT
hahahahahahah

who here hasn't done that..or similar LOL, worst part is when the bonnet
lock pin stabs you in the back of the neck!
> You can use a metal watch strap aswell but it tends to burn your wrist and
> make you bang your head on the bonnet.
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>> >
>> > Art (in Dublin)
Fitzy - 05 Apr 2005 13:26 GMT
and poke your nosey mate in the eye with your elbow as you try to remove the
watch

Fitzy

> You can use a metal watch strap aswell but it tends to burn your wrist and
> make you bang your head on the bonnet.
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>> >
>> > Art (in Dublin)
 
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