Just a question...
A club member recently tried jump starting her car.
But put the leads the wrong way around..
The car starts for a fraction, but then stops now..
Any Idea what damaged done? haven't been around there yet to have a look.

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Probably changed the polarity of the starter motor. Look up changing from + earth to - earth. They are several How too's on how to do this as the early Mini had + earth and later people changed them over to neg earth so they could fit radios etc. Follow the process of changing the starter motor over.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

ok thanks mate!

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My brother hooked my battery up to my car once around the wrong way and it blew my alternator up...

Dont think this would be it because it should still run from the battery.

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If it has an electronic ignition dizzy, wrong polarity will usually fry the ignition module.
As well as the alternator's diode rectifier.

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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.

The starter motor doesn't mind which way the polarity goes. They're also called Universal motors for how accomodating they are. They will run on AC or DC believe it or not, and will only run in the opposite direction if you flip the brushes to the opposite side.

Alternators, generators, electronic points, any electronics (Radios etc) and maybe solid state pointless fuel pumps (new age SUs and Facet) are another matter....

Disconnect the ancillaries like the alternator/generator, electronics, check your fuel pump is still working if electric and give it another go. Get the engine down to the bare bones of starter motor and distributor and then you can start building it back up to see where the problem is.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

Have done this melted the bejesus out of the wiring from alternator.

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PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

Never jump start a car when you don't know how to do it or who ever is doing it has no idea what they are doing. Very expensive mistake. Is tis a Mini we are talking about ? You can KISS the back side of all electronic bits on the car. I can fix it for you. Get it to me. I can repair all the wiring and whatever else and also put some protection on it so it can not happen again.

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

Sounds like it may be in the Ignition "ON" circuit. "Start" sounds ok, but when you release the key and it flicks back to "On" the engine stalls - may be lucky and only a fuse gave up it's life to save something from overheating and frying itself.

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Thanks, I will get her to check that!

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Thanks, I will get her to check that!

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I had that problem once, it turned out to be the ignition switch. It gave 12V to the coil when on `start' but zip when `on'. New switch fixed it.

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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.