weak spark
Turbo Mini Forums

Bloody Mini won't start again.

It's been sat for a long time after erratic running due to an air leak.
Today I tried in vain to start it but it won't.
So I checked the spark and they're at best yellow and even turning red (when I believe they should be blue)

Car is still N/A so got a 92' electronic standard ignition with a 2 year old electronic specific coil (with roughly 2 hours of running on it).

I used some electronic contact cleaner on every contacts from the coil to the plugs but it seems useless.

What is your bet ?

Rusty by nature

non balast coil on a balast car? ie the coils only getting about 9v

try running a temporary positive to the coil sraight from the battery

Edited by Joe C on 27th Sep, 2012.

The car is 92 low comp 1275 so when I swapped it for a 998 (long story) I fitted it with the electronic ignition from the 1275.
I assumed the harness was OK for the ignition fitted.

The car was running ok on an ignition point of view (but very lean due to a leak)

As a temporary measure I pulled all the plugs to allow them to dry.

I'll see if I can have a friend lend me a coil.

How is a coil checked ?

Rusty by nature

After some time fooling around I borrowed a booster (additionnal battery for starting, I dunno if you call it this name) and it now starts !

Apparently my battery had enough power to crank the engine for extended periods but not enough for the coil ???

My battery chargers seem to think it is dead too ...

Anyway, air leak seems not gone.
I need to put a drop of something air tight on the brake booster pick-up plug (not connected because I am on the hunt for the air leak), same on the vacuum pick up for ignition and on the blow-by pick up.

Then I will try a spare carb and a refurb throttle shaft.

Rusty by nature

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

With the help from a battery booster, a swap of carb and boost of gaskets with some blue gunk, the car was made to run properly (timing was out too)

20 min of running apparently charged up the battery enough to allow it to start the next day.

I'll just consider the battery to be on its last leg and keep it until it effectively dies ...

Rusty by nature