Went to start the car this morning and usually it takes a few goes before there is enough fuel in there to get it going, but this time I let the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds before firing (as usual), gave it a couple of goes - wouldn't start (as usual). I then turned the pump off, flicked it back on and there was nothing. The fuel pump wouldn't pump and the tacho reads 2k even tho the engine is off. Any ideas? As I was supossed to be at work today



*Update: Looks like a short somewhere as my headlights arn't working when they should be.

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Check your battery terminals first - clean them and refit them and them see if you have a problem still. Also check your earth straps. The one from the battery to the body - make sure it has a shiny metal to metal contact. Then check the one near the starter motor - make sure it also has a shiny metal to metal contact.

Found the headlights are working, so it must be somewhere between the main loom and the fuel pump somewhere. Does anyone know where an electric fuel pump should be located?

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Provided ts a standard SU fuel pump it will be near the rear sub frame under the mini. Its a canister shaped thing with a black fuel head and pipes coming in and out of it.

Try tapping it with the plastic end of a screw driver with the ignition on - tapping NOT whacking - and it may start ticking away.

It does have a set of points inside the rear of it that occaisionally need cleaning and setting the gap. Easy to do if you have a manual but it does mean taking the pump out of the car and doing it on a bench. The risk of doing it under the car is that it sparks and you justmay have petrol fumes.

If you are going to pull it out then drain the fuel tank first and when you disconnect the fuel lines on the pump make sure you have a container to collect the remainer of the fuel in the tank and fuel lines.

Many people fit the more modern designed and robust "facet" fuel pump these days. If you want to go that way remember that the carbys require 2.5 pounds per square inch pressure. No more than that.

But..... If the SU pump has run for 40 years then it is pretty robust anyway.

Found it! Turns out it was a dirty connection on the ignition switch As I don't have an ignition barrell.

Cheers for your input guys.

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