16 replies to this topic

[MartinSPI]

Model: Cooper SPI
Year:1995

Hi all, sorry this has to be my first post, but we have an urgent problem with my girlfriends '95 cooper.

She drove to work fine today, no probs with it at all. But when trying to start it to leave work this evening it wouldn't start. No cranking nothing. All lights work on dash, door switch e.t.c. ok. Immob light seemed to switch off fine and do as it should. She works at a garage but they weren't able to get a look at it before closing, and probably wont tomorrow, but they did check the starter which tests fine for voltage and doesn't appear to be stuck. They suggested the immobiliser was throwing a fit and refusing to work. Could this be the cause?
She has an aftermarket radio in and recently this seems to be having a few issues with the faceplate lighting going on and off over bumps, music still plays though. I'm wondering if, becuase the immobiliser box is behind it, something could have rubbed or got caught.

Also how about the relay pack? I've read something about that on here when searching, but not sure if it could be causing this problem.

We could really do with some advice asap as it's currently at her work place, but we will need it this weekend as I wont have my van. Also I know no one will tell me how on an open forum, but there must be ways of getting round it without paying a rip-off alarm company for it?

Thanks for any help!

Martin & Emma.

[Racing Gold]

I had a similar problem with a 95 spi with immob. It was the immob. on that occasion and I purchased a Rover made alarm bypass box. This is identical to the alarm unit behind the dash, it just bypasses it. Rover obviously expected problems. I have also used one on a K reg Spi with single button alarm fob. That bypass box was a different part No. I keep a spare now as friends have SPi's and the box is a fraction of the cost of an auto electrician. The single button one was about £20 ish, two button fob a bit dearer. Where do you live? If near Southampton I have a relay box and alarm bypass you can try. MiniMail in Gloucester supply the Rover bypass alarm box

[BGB]

check fuel cut of switch. little black switch top right of engine.


or the inline fuse behind the air box brown and purple (I THINK)

[MartinSPI]

thanks guys, will have a look see and see what I can find tomorrow. It's the two button alarm so will check MiniMail and see what we can do after the cut off switch e.t.c.
We're in east sussex, so unfortunately soton's a bit of a drive, thanks for the offer though

[spiguy]

thanks guys, will have a look see and see what I can find tomorrow. It's the two button alarm so will check MiniMail and see what we can do after the cut off switch e.t.c.
We're in east sussex, so unfortunately soton's a bit of a drive, thanks for the offer though

Are you saying that it does not crank over? If so, then check fuse no 12 in the fuse box, it does the starter signal. Could be its blown. If so, replace it see if it works. If it blows again you might have a wiring short somewhere. if the immobiliser light goes off then it seems unlikely its the immobiliser.

[MartinSPI]

nope, wont crank over at all. thanks for the fuse referance, will give that a go too.

[BGB]

nope, wont crank over at all. thanks for the fuse referance, will give that a go too.

Its what happened to my 95 Sprite. The fuse was corroded to hell and a new fuse fixed the problem.

It cuts out now and then because i really need to replace the fuse holder too, but its gettign round to doing it.

[MartinSPI]

fuse seems to be ok. the mechanics at her garage have checked a little more and say that the problem is coming from a wire from the relay pack...does this mean anything to anyone? is there an immobiliser relay in there?

[BGB]

fuse seems to be ok. the mechanics at her garage have checked a little more and say that the problem is coming from a wire from the relay pack...does this mean anything to anyone? is there an immobiliser relay in there?

relay pack may need replaced.

you could try and open it up and clean the solders but that could break the waterproof seal.

[MartinSPI]

is there just the one relay? I see minispares do one which is multiple application? is it the box above the brake servo? and could I just remove the relay and bridge the connection with a bit of wire (bodge!) just to get the car started?

Cheers!

Edit: Which of the below relays (if any) would it be?



Ta!

Edited by MartinSPI, 17 July 2009 - 01:13 PM.

[BGB]

the relay pack is number 2.


thats what its generally refereed to

[MartinSPI]

ta for that, went down after work and took the relay pack off and took the cover off...one side of the PCB is burnt out nicely, so we're off to rover tomorrow to see if they have another.

Thanks for all the help guys, been invaluable!

[MartinSPI]

the joys of this continue!

We replaced the relay pack ata cost of £100 from minispares. Worked fine for a day then blew this morning again. We'v got another on order, but I'm thinking a wire is shorting somewhere and pulling too much current. It seems to work fine for a few starts, then just blows.

Any ideas on which wire where could have worn through?

Cheers!

[BGB]

the joys of this continue!

We replaced the relay pack ata cost of £100 from minispares. Worked fine for a day then blew this morning again. We'v got another on order, but I'm thinking a wire is shorting somewhere and pulling too much current. It seems to work fine for a few starts, then just blows.

Any ideas on which wire where could have worn through?

Cheers!

Inline fuses behind the air box.

there is alot there and some could have shorted along the cable a bit.


Also check the alternator hasnt eaten some of the front cables and creating some sort of short there. I doubt it would but check anyway.


Also remove all the yellow relays and clean them up and put them back

Edited by BGB, 22 July 2009 - 01:17 PM.

[MartinSPI]

ta for that, will check those fuses. Have checked the alternator already as it's a new one, but cables are all ok.
I found an explanation on here about the relay pack and the wiring for it. One of the wires which feeds one of the relays is fed from the alarm ECU in the dash. We fitted a new radio which the alarm ECU seems to knock against...I would imagine that the cables could have got pinched and possibly rubbed through. Will be looking into tonight.

Thanks again BGB, will keep this post updated.