Hey all,

Im in the process of trying to fire her up for the first time since ive owned it and keep goin in circles and gettin nowhere at all - with everything connected (excluding the accessories like lights, horn, wiper etc) when i turn the key i get nothing at all, not even a hint of life. Ive gone through the wiring and everything seems to be there, all the colours match where there supposed to go. I know i have a shitty battery but i charge it up and have 10V in the boot. The starter solenoid is getting that voltage, and as a result the fuse panel 1, dome, horn and alternator + wires are getting that voltage. The ignition switch is receiving the voltage, and the plugs are getting continuity in their relative key positions. Im at the point now where im just gunna have to test each wire that goes to the dash. Throw a few ideas my way of things to do and test. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Dave

If your battery does not have 12v + it wont even turn the starter motor due to the voltage drop.
If it has 10v to start with your probably only get 6v or 7v at the starter solenoid.....only enough for it to 'click'.
Try it with a new battery around 450- 520 cca (au falcon battery) and see how you go.

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

Like Scott said, if that battery has only 10 volts after a good charge, then the battery is no longer a battery. It is a bucket of acid.

Otherwise, to get it to kick over (for a warm and fuzzy that it will actually turn over) use a short piece of wire between the battery terminal block on the solenoid and the spade connection for the solenoid's coil (About a centimeter away). The solenoid should click and the engine should turn over, but it won't start.

With the fuel bowl(s) filled with fuel, do the same again, only this time put another wire from the solenoid post to the +ve terminal on the coil. Strike the other wire against the solenoid spade terminal and it should turn over (and hopefully fire). This satisfies the engine's need for an ignition circuit, momentum and fuel.

Once you're sure that the engine kicks, then you can chase the wires backwards to find the fault.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

check and clean your earth connections, most important is the earth strap from the engine.

_________________

I think you will be doing a good thing if you were to bring me the car and I will tidy up your wiring. It looks like a plate of spaghetti under the bonnet! I can do a magic Job for a reasonable fee. This is what I do for a living. I am an Auto Electrician that likes working on Minis and I also know them. Might be cheaper than accidentally releasing the smoke out of the lot. Then it willl be very expensive to repair. And sounds like you need a new battery too., but as I can's test it from here I am only Guessing.
Tony 55469065

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

thanks for the offer but the wiring there are just the front lights and horn and things that arent connected, there just that way to get them off the ground when i put the bonnet on at night.

yeah the battery is borked! its only holding 6V now. i seem to be getting a few dodgeys of late as the brand new one i bought for my corolla isnt holding charge either. what do most of ye have?? will the falcon ones fit in the battery box? will a reconditioned one from a wreckers suffice?

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=38765

_________________
"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

A new battery is not that expensive these days. Dont even waste your time or money with something from the wreckers. I think my Delcor Battery is a 610cca.

_________________

http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Get a real battery, Optima D51R 500 cca 11.8 kg, you can put it where you like, even on its side, approx $350 . Best battery for a Mini on the market

_________________

Optima batteries are very good especially if you have lots of stereo or the car is only used on the odd occasion, but if the budget doesnt extend that far and the car is driven on a regular basis a normal lead acid battery will do the job just fine.
Yes Dtrain the falcon battery (450 - 520 cca) fits just fine in the battery box with the clamp on.

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

hmm $350 is a bit of a stretch. the one i have on the corolla is only a 280CCA or 330CCA (not too sure) but its only a few months old. what i might do is return that one and upgrade to something with more juice - as that is my daily driver (does have a fairly draining stereo - focal utopia splits and a boston 12" both bridged off a 4x100rms response amp), and if i need to borrow it for the mini every now and again at least it will be charged and have ample capacity.

atm im only trying to start her up, i still need to do the brakes and clutch, diff output seals and fuel tank before i think about moving it. at that time ill be stripping her down for bodywork, primer and paint. then ill think about all the stuff needed for rego

cheers for the help tho all

The Optima D51R is fully sealed, does not contain water and can be run flat with no damage, its only 23cm long, 22 high and 12cm wide. Yes it is approx $350, but it will the best choice and because of its design you can mount anywhere you like, and being only 12cm wide, even under the seat.

_________________

$350... Gdamb... . yeah i think ud be right with as $100 new battery. the last one i got my mate borrowed (still with me from his work at subaru.

_________________
PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt