13 replies to this topic

[KJM]

1979 mini 1100 Special

hi all- I've been trying to start my mini which hasn't run for a couple of years. Last week it was turning over fine but wouldn't run due to no spark! Then all of a sudden the starter wouldn't turn over and just clicks. I have tried moving the car in gear in case it was locked/jammed but still nothing!

I have replaced an engine earth cable too as the one was looking dodgy! Now though, the battery earth cable gets hot when I try to start it!

Could this just be a bad earth somewhere? And if so were are the usual places that need cleaning/replacing?

Any help is appreciated!




Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?

[wile e coyote]

Possibly your battery hasn't got enough left in it - but if it has then other than starter motor itself hasn't given up the ghost try the solenoid on the o/s inner wing undo the connections give them a good rough up with some sandpaper and reconnect...

[kyebrooks]

i had the same problem with mine but i rushed in a bought a new 1. 2 days later spoke to a mechanic and he said try shorting out the starter motor using a screwdriver whilst sum1 else turns the ignition this creates sparks but it worked so he said there is probably a problem in your ignition

hopes this helps

[KJM]

Cool thanks for your replies!

I tried cleaning all the contacts on the solenoid, and cleaned all connections on the starter itself- but still no luck! And I have put two new engine earth cables on.

Could the solenoid have broken/worn out through excessive use? It is defo the solenoid making the click noise because you can feel it if someone else tries to turn it over! Or is there a relay that links to the starter system that could be nakerd??

[minimad01]

try short it out an it might work after if you short it an nothing happen then its ya starter motor
what style starter is it ? pre engaged ?

[dklawson]

Try charging the battery before you spend money on any new parts. You've tried starting the engine several times without the alternator working to recharge it. That may not be your car's only problem but give it a fighting chance by making sure there is power available.

[hystrix cristata]

Can you push start it? My starter motor died not so long ago, I either had to put it in gear and rock the car to get it to unlock or give it a few firm taps. My starter was worn and kept disengaging too soon and then getting stuck. As above though battery not having enough power will lock it up and you end up with clicking. If it ends up being the starter motor they are only about £50 and just two bolts to take it off but try everything else first

[KJM]

Cool thanks for your replies- regarding the battery, could well be that it's not got enough juice but I put a snap on booster pack on it too which didn't help and I wouldve thought that would have enough power to crank it. I'll try getting it charged again to see if that helps!!

How do I "short" out the starter motor? It is an inertia motor too with one black cable going to it.

Thanks again everyone for your help!

[kyebrooks]

on your starter motor solenoid there is the live from the battery and an earthe which i believe is the cable to your starter motor connect these with a screw drive whilst someone turns the key to ignition stage 2 (not all the way)making sure you have a good contact. might be abit jumpy first time with the sparks but should work. oh and make sure you do not touch the screwdriver metal shaft.
hope this works

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[dklawson]

Try a regular battery charger for several hours, not just a starting booster. If the battery is deeply discharged, all the power from the booster goes into the depleted battery, not towards starting the engine.

With the inertia starter, when you want to "short" it, you are not really working with the starter, you are jumpering the BIG terminals on the starter solenoid.

Put the car in neutral.
Turn the ignition switch on and set the choke.
Open the bonnet and find the starter solenoid.
Take an insulated handle screwdriver and use it to bridge the gap between the two large threaded posts on the solenoid. DO NOT let the scewdriver's metal blade touch ANYTHING else.

There WILL be sparks. If you are unprepared, the sparks might scare you into jumping back... causing you to trip, or bang your head on the bonnet. If there is enough power to spin the starter motor, it will spin.

[KJM]

Update: I have tried shorting out the solenoid with sparks flying!! But nothing happened. Should the starter have turned over when it sparked? And is there anything else to look out for on an inertia starter system?

I haven't had chance to recharge the battery yet as I need to use my dads battery charger (tomorrow).

[mighty mini jack]

Make sure the terminals are on tight too.

[dklawson]

Should the starter have turned over when it sparked?
I haven't had chance to recharge the battery yet as I need to use my dads battery charger (tomorrow).

You should not expect the starter motor to have turned over until you have charged the battery fully. You can get sparks even from a somewhat discharged battery. That said, I would have expected you to at least hear the motor try to turn the engine a bit... perhaps a clunk or grunt when you bridged the solenoid contacts.

[daemonchild]

Try a regular battery charger for several hours, not just a starting booster. If the battery is deeply discharged, all the power from the booster goes into the depleted battery, not towards starting the engine.

To go further than this, I couldn't even jump start my project mini after it's battery being REALLY discharged. (Two months in the cold).
And that was from my 307 diesel with plenty of beans being given to it.
As Mr Lawson says, the power was going straight into the empty battery. And don't think about taking this out of the circuit or you'll damage your alternator..
Get it on trickle charge.