5 replies to this topic

[Bobs2293]

Hello,

 

Would a broken Fuseable link stop the engine cranking? SPI Mini. 
 

My Mini cranks but won’t start. I did see a small amount of smoke from the starter. Concerned its blown

 

many thanks. 

[alpder]

If the engine cranks (i.e. turns over on the starter) then the starter is doing the only job it needs to. If it's cranking and not starting then you're probably looking at other components (the fuel-y and spark-y bits).

 

If the connection of the main 12V lead onto the starter isn't tight or is dirty, then sometimes that'll smoke a little - nipping-up will usually cure that. Smoke from the starter itself isn't good and either indicates a fault or excessive duration of cranking - the motor is only rated for brief bursts.

[Steve220]

The fuseable link is only to prevent the ecu and components over stressing if the alternator brakes and produces too much voltage, the engine would still start.

 

As above, sounds like your starter needs replacing.

[WEEJOE2004]

when i got my sidewalk turning the key produced nothing, not even turning the engine, but seller told me to switch ignition on and then had to put screwdriver across the starter solenoid and engine would burst into life and run like there was nothing wrong, but if i turned key off it went back to not turning engine,.

 

i was told on minispares site if wrong flywheel/clutch was use it was cause my issues, spoke to seller and it had been changed 

not sure if that helps you or not.

 

im going down the specialist components route once i have rebuilt the car

[viz139]

You haven't stated what  year Spi you have and there are three different wiring systems for Spi's. The fact it is cranking means you have power to starter, ECU ,immobilizer and relay pack. What you don't appear to have is either spark or fuel. Remove a spark plug to check for spark. remove fuel hose to check fuel pressure.

[viz139]

I have done a search and can't find out how a post is tagged as Best Answer but in this case I must with no disrespect strongly disagree with the above tagging .

Over voltage will NOT cause a fuse to blow, over current will cause a fuse to blow. Fuseable links in general are not designed to protect equipment but rather the cable supplying power to it. The fuseable links in minis feed the fuseboard and ignition switch and power will than pass through smaller fuses and cables before reaching the equipment. The one piece of equipment that is connected directly to a fuseable link is the alternator ,in the case of over voltage the battery will generally brake down and cells will short leading to over current and a blown link.

In this thread the starter smoke is proberbly due to over cranking and as the starter is feed directly from the battery cable there is no fuseable link involved anywhere.

Sorry for my long winded post but if somebody does a future serch on fuseable link they just read best answer at the top and move on. Where does the tag come from???