10 replies to this topic

[Ann-Wilson]

Anyone help me here?..

The problem is that I have a wire loom that has no plug for the starter relay...however I have a pre engaged starter with solenoid attached....

So this was my plan....Mount a relay on the inner wing. Run a wire from the Main Solenoid terminal in the middle (where the battery cable connects) through a fuse to connector 30 on the relay..... connector 85 to an earthing point.

Not sure what to do with the white Red wires and the white yellow. I think the White Red comes from the ignition switch..could this go into connector 86 and then run another cable from 87 down to the Small spade terminal on the solenoid?

Would this work? Is there a better way...would a 20 amp fuse be ok? How thick should the wire be? Sorry for all the questions..I am a beginner in this area.

The wire loom is from an earlier mini where the solenoid was mounted on the wing...maybe it would be best to purchase the older solenoid and use it to control the solenoid on the back of the starter?


Thanks for any help:)

Rich

[peter-b]

Just find the wire from key switch (not sure of colour ATM) then connect it to solinoid small connector. Only the later cars had relays, they worked OK for 40 odd years with out them.

[Dan]

All Minis fitted with an O/E pre-engaged starter should have a relay because the pre-engaged solenoid draws more power than the remote solenoid. More in fact than the ignition switch is rated to supply, which is why relays were fitted. I suspect that Rich knows this which is why he's fitting one.

The simplest thing here would indeed be to use a remote solenoid as a relay. It's not elegant, and might hit your battery cranking power a bit as solenoids draw some considerable current compared to a relay, but it will work and be easy to do.

[Ann-Wilson]

The simplest thing here would indeed be to use a remote solenoid as a relay. It's not elegant, and might hit your battery cranking power a bit as solenoids draw some considerable current compared to a relay, but it will work and be easy to do.

Thanks Dan,

I ve been reading posts recently about this...and it was going to be my back up plan if I could not find a away to wire up a relay...I have the longer battery cable....which I guess I'll have to cut back a little if I go this route...

Kindest regards,
Rich

[Ethel]

Red white is the supply from the ignition switch to operate the solenoid. If a relay is involved the red white operates it (85 to earth on 86), the solenoid can be hooked up to 87 (brown/red is the factory colour scheme) and powered from a permanent feed (brown wire) jockeyed off a fuse box terminal. The yellow white is the bypass for the ballasted ignition, if fitted. It can be left in place on the solenoid terminal.

[KernowCooper]

Wire in a standard 40amp 4 terminal Relay where your old trigger 12v from the iginition switch goes to terminal 86 and earth onto terminal 85

Run a new 12v feed from the main 12v wire into the Solenoid onto Terminal 30 and then connect terminal 87 onto the small lucar to bring the solenoid in when the key is turned to the start position.

 

As Dan pointed out if you dont take the load of the pre-engaged Solenoid off the Ignition Switch then yours wont last that long, and the bit is it can stick with the contacts on which is nasty as the starter will run until you manually kill the power to  the solenoid

 

typing the same time as Ethel

Edited by Ethel, 02 April 2015 - 10:07 PM.
zapped you typo :)

[Ann-Wilson]

Thanks Ethel and Dave, this really helps.....just run through the terminals and cables to make sure I understand this correctly..

From relay. Pin 85: earth.

Pin 86: red /white cable.

Pin 30: a new wire from fuse box position 3 ( brown side.....)

Pin 87: connects to the solenoid (small spade connection )

I am installing the sc 5 port system..so I don't think the yellow white cable is used.
Interestingly I don't have a brown and red...it appears brown and blue!

[peter-b]

Doh! should read things better. Here in Aus we never had 'pre engaged' starters on mini's.

[KernowCooper]

Thanks Ethel and Dave, this really helps.....just run through the terminals and cables to make sure I understand this correctly..

From relay. Pin 85: earth.Yes

Pin 86: red /white cable.Yes this is the 12v switched feed from the ignition switch

Pin 30: a new wire from fuse box position 3 ( brown side.....) You could take this from the main Battery connection onto the solenoid, or the brown you mention

Pin 87: connects to the solenoid (small spade connection ) Yes this terminal brings the solenoid in

I am installing the sc 5 port system..so I don't think the yellow white cable is used.
Interestingly I don't have a brown and red...it appears brown and blue!

[Ann-Wilson]

Thanks Ethel and Dave, this really helps.....just run through the terminals and cables to make sure I understand this correctly..
From relay. Pin 85: earth.Yes
Pin 86: red /white cable.Yes this is the 12v switched feed from the ignition switch
Pin 30: a new wire from fuse box position 3 ( brown side.....) You could take this from the main Battery connection onto the solenoid, or the brown you mention
Pin 87: connects to the solenoid (small spade connection ) Yes this terminal brings the solenoid in
I am installing the sc 5 port system..so I don't think the yellow white cable is used.
Interestingly I don't have a brown and red...it appears brown and blue!

Would I need to add any inline fuses here ?


Thanks a million, I'm making progress here.

Rich

[KernowCooper]

You could fuse the feed onto terminal 30 if you wish