hello

i have issue were my mini would start (crank) sometimes and then other times it wouldnt so i changed the starter motor solenoid with a know good one (well one i pulled of a car three years ago) put it all together crank it and just a click noise. so i went and got a new solenoid. put that all together and still just a click noise. i test with a voltmetre and i have 12.43 at post of solenoid with 2 brown wires big spade terminal , black wires which are ignition , another wire witha o terminal i think thats for alternator correct me if im wrong. and my wire on the other post going to starter motor. when i crank the ignition i get 3.40 volts on the wire to the starter motor so in theory my solenoid is stuffed? but its brand new. if i put jumper pack on the starter it spins freely and can start motor that way. i guess what im asking is is there another possible reason why i would only be getting 3 volts on the second post other than a crook solenoid.
any advice would be appreciated.

cheers dan

have you tried another battery?

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Your silliness has been noted.

Is the new solenoid a Lucas or an Echlin? Echlin are a cheapo copy, I had mine cark it when 3 months old, so then bought a Lucas...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

battery is new , and its just one off the shelf of a local parts supplier.

Is the 3.4 volts the same on both terminals on the solenoid when you crank the engine?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

just checked then and yes same on both sides of solenoid
.

check and make sure the solinoid has a good earth as i was having this problem and that was the cause it had a bad earth.

Its not the solenoid.

It's a problem with the battery, the battery cable(including connections) or the starter motor.

Measure the battery voltage at the battery terminal while cranking the engine . If it is 3.4 volts there as well, then it is just a flat or ruined battery.
12 volts when the battery is charged indicates a problem with the battery.

It may also be the starter motor, but you can prove the starter by simply swapping the battery with a known good unit. This will also prove the battery is at fault.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

ok will try tomorrow thanks mick.

I agree with all the points here, and have a few to add. If you think about it, the starter solenoid completes the circuit and allows the current to run from the battery through the starter and back to the battery again. If anything is disconnected along the line, it won't work.

So after checking the battery terminals and clamps, I'd also trace the line running to the starter from the solenoid, and also check your engine earth strap.

Sounds like it not a solenoid problem The above help and suggestions are all correct. PS. Don't forget to check the battery terminals and make sure all connections here are clean and tight. Also check the earth cable from the battery to the boot floor make sure it has good contact with the body. Also check that your starter is not drawing too much current or has a dead short. Always start checking a problem from the point where the power starts.... Get the battery load tested first. Sometimes buying a battery from places where they stock dozens on shelf you find they might have been sitting there for months before you bought it.

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