Hey guys been having problems with my car starting , it all started when my car was adjusted to run abit leaner due to the fuel consumption and blowing black smoke , it use to start first go , but now takes ages to start , I'm total new to this , I have posted a post couple weeks ago in regards to alt light keeps lighting up , does that mean something wrong with my alternator ? I have notice that when I try starting my car it sounds like it doesn't have enough spark to crank over !

Please any help will be great

Hey mate,

How did you adjust the mixture? Using the screw on the back of the carby? Might have to take the filter off to do it? Did you touch the electrics at all when you were doing it? Sorry someone else might be of better help...although it would be best if someone could look at it, makes it easier to diagnose.

Dennis.

_________________

If the alternator light comes on (probably at idle if you're getting sporadic charging) then something is definitely up with it, regardless of fuel mixture.

It could be as simple as a loose fan belt or a stuffed alternator or something more difficult to nail down like a problematic bit of wiring.

adjust your timing

[edit] i just read the whole thing - sorry i tend to skim read. get a multimeter from jaycar/dick smiths etc at see if your battery is getting 14v (or close) when running - if not look at your alternator or the wiring to it. if your alt is fine, then the battery could be on the last legs.
first comment still remains, if your just fiddling with your mixture and your timing is out then your car will struggle to start

If your alt light is on when the engine's not running that's normal (in fact, if it doesn't come on when the engine's not running, the alternator won't work!). If it comes on at idle, that could indicate a problem. If it comes on at higher revs that's definitely a problem.

I say it might be a problem at idle if you're running a non-stock alternator. An alternator for a different car may need to be turned faster to generate power, so when placed in a mini it may not work at idle. If you still have the stock alternator, I don't think this is the case.


Get another battery and jump start the car. If it still won't start, it's not the power supply that's the problem. If it starts up and runs fine, check:

- All wiring to the alternator
- Fanbelt tension
- Battery terminals are clean and tight

If you're still having problems, you'll really need a multimeter to check it out. You can then check the charging voltage and the alternator resistance (the alt resistance should be close to zero).