10 replies to this topic

[MattKirton]

Hello,

when i turn the key the ignition light comes on but any further than that nothing happens. the lights work fine so i am quite sure it is not the battery. there is pertol in the tank aswell.

what should i try?

thanks.

[minimadjonesy]

do you hear a clicking noise from the engine bay? if so the get a new starter solenoid!

[MattKirton]

No there is no clicking noise. There is nothing to be honest. I have had a bit of trouble with the points recently so i have been in the distributor a bit of late...?

[MattKirton]

thanks for your speedy reply. The same problem happened yesterday, but after a while it just started turning over, it ran really badly however so i had to stop, now it wont start again.

[Guess-Works.com]

As MMJ says, if there is no click, then it's the starter solenoid, what sort of starter has your mini got, ie is there a square block on the inner wind which the main power from the battery is connected, or is it connected to a cylindrical thing on top of the starter ( left hand side of engine )

If the latter, then there is a relay which is tripped when you try and start the car, this controls the higher power required by the pre-engaged starter solenoid.

Both ways you need to make sure that 12v is being supplied to the solenoid, and onward to the motor..

[MattKirton]

i am not completely sure but i think it is the later. it is a 1989 mayfair 998cc. I am relatively new to this so apologise for the bit of non-understanding.

thanks for your replies

[Purple Tom]

does the ignition light go out when you turn the key to the cranking position?

[stormduck]

i am not completely sure but i think it is the later. it is a 1989 mayfair 998cc. I am relatively new to this so apologise for the bit of non-understanding.

thanks for your replies

In that case it's the later. The solenoid is a small cylinder that sits on top of a large cylinder (the starter motor) at the front of the engine, to the left hand side when you're looking at it, further down than the coil.

[miniboo]

Silly question but have you checked the fuse in the main 4 block fuse box??

I think it is fuse two. Mine blew the other day and it had the same symptoms as you are describing

Might be completely wrong though>

[MattKirton]

The light does come on when the key is turned. Thanks for your replies, keep them coming, im going to go check the fuses...keep you all updated.

[MINI-GEM]

this happened to me not so long ago, all it was was a loose connection on the starter, disconnect all the wires from the starter motor one by one and put them back on again, mine worked again instantly, try it, no harm if it doesnt work just one less thing eliminated!