Irish Mini Owners Club

Mini won't start. Sounds like it's trying to, but just splutters outstraight away. Don't have a clue what might be up with it, it started grand only 60 seconds before! Had to get it towed home, tried it this morning, still no joy. Any ideas lads? Would appreciate it

try the cut off switch under the bonnet for a start

miniireland wrote:try the cut off switch under the bonnet for a start

sorry, shoulda said I tried that first!

Does the fuel pump prime for 3 secs with the ignition on? if it doesnt check the fuse. Also has the fuel filter ever been changed

coop wrote:Does the fuel pump prime for 3 secs with the ignition on? if it doesnt check the fuse. Also has the fuel filter ever been changed

not sure what you mean by " does th fuel pump prime " ... Fuel filter was changed in November when i had it serviced.

When you turn the ignition on you will hear a whine from the boot, which lasts for 3 secs and pressurises the system with fuel

coop wrote:When you turn the ignition on you will hear a whine from the boot, which lasts for 3 secs and pressurises the system with fuel

Ok, cool, heading home on lunch in a second and will check for that. You reckon if i dont hear that it might be the fuses? Multimeter job?

smur89 wrote:Ok, cool, heading home on lunch in a second and will check for that. You reckon if i dont hear that it might be the fuses? Multimeter job?

Well if the pump doesnt make any noise then it could be the fuse (look in the handbook for the fuses location), wiring (a purple/white wire runs from the fuel cut off switch in the engine bay through the bulkhead and along the floor to the fuel pump in the boot) or worse case would be a broken fuel pump

Did you have the dash out?

smur89 wrote:

coop wrote:When you turn the ignition on you will hear a whine from the boot, which lasts for 3 secs and pressurises the system with fuel

Ok, cool, heading home on lunch in a second and will check for that. You reckon if i dont hear that it might be the fuses? Multimeter job?

no whining noise when i turn the key

coop wrote:

smur89 wrote:Ok, cool, heading home on lunch in a second and will check for that. You reckon if i dont hear that it might be the fuses? Multimeter job?

Well if the pump doesnt make any noise then it could be the fuse (look in the handbook for the fuses location), wiring (a purple/white wire runs from the fuel cut off switch in the engine bay through the bulkhead and along the floor to the fuel pump in the boot) or worse case would be a broken fuel pump

Did you have the dash out?

Nope no dash out. Looking in the haynes manual as I write t
his!

Edit: none of the fuses look damaged at all. Tried disconnecting and reconnecting the wire from the cut off switch (the yellow block thing).

No idea what I'm doing really!

Did the fuel pump make a noise when the ignition was switched on?

No, there was no noise, I know the noise you mean, just didn't know what it was.

smur89 wrote:No, there was no noise, I know the noise you mean, just didn't know what it was.

Im afraid it sounds like the fuel pump has broken, although it might be worth checking the wiring, starting from the relay pack in the engine bay the fuel pump wire (brown/grey) goes to a 10 Amp fuse in the passenger compartment fusebox at position C7, then onto the inertia switch and emerges as purple/white wire which goes to the pump (Look behind the passenger side air vent for the wire).

That yellow block thing you talk about is not the fuel cut off it is a relay. i'd say it may just be the cut off as it was very sensitive on that motor. Beside the yellow relay is a rubber topped button. Either red or black i cant remember. Press it and hopefully you will feel a click. I'm sure some one who has a mpi near them will post a pic highlighting where the button is for you. i would only i only have old carb minis here right now,

gareth wrote:That yellow block thing you talk about is not the fuel cut off it is a relay. i'd say it may just be the cut off as it was very sensitive on that motor. Beside the yellow relay is a rubber topped button. Either red or black i cant remember. Press it and hopefully you will feel a click. I'm sure some one who has a mpi near them will post a pic highlighting where the button is for you. i would only i only have old carb minis here right now,

oh I know about the switch, had tried that as soon as it acted up but no joy. When I followe the wire from the switch (purple) coop was talking about I thought it went into the yellow block. I may just tow it to a garage this afternoon as I don't have time (daylight) to look into it myself with work. And would really like it back running again for the weekend.

check this out: http://www.cantyminiclub.com/tech/MiniEcuProblems.doc

Thanks for the link keith... had already left it into your man by the time i saw it though.

Turns out the cut off switch is dodgey. He just bypassed it. He said this wassafe enough as its connected to a fuse anyway...?

smur89 wrote:Thanks for the link keith... had already left it into your man by the time i saw it though.

Turns out the cut off switch is dodgey. He just bypassed it. He said this wassafe enough as its connected to a fuse anyway...?

Glad you got it sorted, it is connected to a fuse and the fuel pump, so its safe enough. I would replace the cut off switch though

coop wrote:

smur89 wrote:Thanks for the link keith... had already left it into your man by the time i saw it though.

Turns out the cut off switch is dodgey. He just bypassed it. He said this wassafe enough as its connected to a fuse anyway...?

Glad you got it sorted, it is connected to a fuse and the fuel pump, so its safe enough. I would replace the cut off switch though

Thought that would be best alright, ill get it replaced eventually.

Thanks for all the help coop. much appreciate

Most things like cut out switches fuses seatbelts airbags are "safe enough" untill you need them.