Does anybody know the method to reset the ecu on a rover spi mini? I have found 2 ways on the net but not sure if either of them are right

one was turn the car on/off 7 times and the other was pushing on the accelerator 10 times with the car in the off position...

just want to know if anyone else has any info before I try them.

Most jap cars are reset by simply disconnecting the battery or ecu.........from memory anyway.

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[Maverick] 1971 Mini K

Yeah, just unplug the battery. It will take about 50k's or so for the computer to re-programme itself though, so don't thrash it straight away.

Another list I'm on says that you have to diconnect the battery for at least 24 hours to clear the ECU memory.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

I remember reading a long time ago on the minimania/minispares board it involved pushing the accelerator pedal down X amount of times, so maybe the second one is right? ask someone on a pommie board and they should have no problems answering that one.

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'68 Morris Mini Matic (GF's)- complete!
'68 Morris Mini Deluxe - deciding on specs..
'63 Morris 850 - On the Shelf
Other various mini parts cars

Maybe try this. Park it in your garage but leave the handbrake down. Put the car in gear and release the clutch. Turn the key until you hear a crunching sound...

I take no responsibility for any actions that may result from doing this mentioned exercise.

Well I tried all the methods except big willy's most helpful one

it seems to have fixed my problem for the moment but I tried all the methods one after another mainly because I could drive for an hour before it would give me the problem.. being impatient can be a problem

I'll post on a pommie board or 2 and see if I can get the answer.. thanks

What sort of problem are you trying to fix?

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

running a bit rich and occasionally when I would accelerate from standing still, the engine would not cut out but just kind of not rev at all... this is the frustrating problem because it doesn't happen regulary just for like about 30 sec's about once a week...

if that ^^^ makes sense

Doesn't sound like an ECU problem - more likely a sensor. If it is running OK the rest of the time (apart from the richness) then I would be looking at the timeing sensor or the oxygen sensor playing up. Some SPi's run richer than others and no-one in Oz seems to know why.

The timing sensor runs off the fly wheel and is mounted under the starter motor. This can be removed and cleaned carefully. The oxygen (lamda) sensor is in the exhaust manifold. I would tip the timing sensor though because the oxygen sensor usually either works or not and doesn't go intermittant like this.

BTW how long is it since the last time you changed the air filter and spark plugs. I usually change the plugs every time I change the oil (10,000km). A cheap way to keep it running sweet. I've had it start to have dead spots on acceleration from low revs when the plugs have been in for too long, before I started changing them more regularly.

Unfortunately there isn't anyone that I know of in Oz that knows the Rover Spi system all that well - so we all have to try different things until we find a cure, and then try to help others when they have the same problems.


Good luck and keep us informed on the progress, John

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

Thanks I'll change the plugs and clean the sensor and see if that makes a difference also,. the airfilter is fairly new. Just one other thing what brand of sparkplugs do you use?

I use Champion N9Y in mine now - I use to use Bosch but I've changed the accessories shop I buy my stuff from to a new one that opened closer.

A lot of others say that NGK are the best for the SPi's, and don't have any problems but mine eats them. After 8,000km you could drive a truck through the gap - 2 sets from different suppliers.

Check the spec books that the shops hang near the plugs for the size in other brands. The SPi uses the same size plug as any other Oz built Mini.

John

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres