So I am getting my 75 Austin mini ready to drive again after being winterized and off the road for the last 3.5 months. I charged up the battery, but when I try to start it up it tuns over a couple of times, then I just get a click when I turn the key. My power locks still work if that makes a difference. I am somewhat mechanicly challenged, so anyone who could point me in the right direction would be appreciated. thanks

Matt

 

im having the same problem with my 78 Austin Mini. have you changed the plugs? i did and it helped but it didn't completely fix the problem. I'm mechanically challenged and don't have a place to work on the car so I took it to my local Mini guru. When I find out what he does, I'll let you know.

 

Thanks. I'll be interested to hear what he finds

Matt

 

Sounds like the starter or solenoid.

 

could be. but my starter and solenoid are AOK.

 

Well, you're obviously not getting enough power to the starter
for some reason. Could be the battery. Also check your power
connections to the starter and the engine ground strap.

 

Thanks Pete. I may pick your brain over on the ATLMINIs board later on after I have checked out a couple of things.

Matt

 

No problem. There's enough shadetree mechanics around that
we should be able to get you going.

 

Sounds like it's time to clean terminals & contacts.
Disconnect battery ground cable. Disconnect positive cable. Use battery terminal cleaner and clean battery post and cable ends. Check battery water level. Top off if necessary and charge battery while it's disconnected.
Disconnect battery ground where it connects to floor and clean contact. Disconnect positive battery cable at starter solenoid and clean cable end.
Once battery is all charged up reconnect postive battery cable and then the negative battery cable. Try starting again. If you still having a problem let us know.

 

Now that you have done all the things that CasaMini has told you to do and it sill does not start, take your charged up battery to the auto store and get it tested. Inactivity and cold weather can kill a lead acid battery. I do hope you did not store your battery on a concrete floor for the winter.

 

All good advice here. One thing I would consider is upgrading to a Japanese conversion starter. Unlike the Lucas starter, these turn the engine until it starts. I am not saying this is your problem - it sounds more like a dead battery cell or f-d up terminals to me.

 

1. insufficient battery power - most likely- take to parts store & have it load tested
2. corroded terminals - at battery or solenoid
3. bad cables
4. dodgey solenoid

 

So I had the battery tested and to my surprise they said it was still good. I took it home and gave it another run on the charger to make sure it was as full as possible then went to work cleaning the terminals. I put it back in the car and made sure that everything was as tight as possible and low and behold it started up. so yea! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

Matt

 

IF YOUR STILL HAVING PROBLEMS , IT MIGHT BE YOUR ALTERNATOR....
CONNECT BATTERY START CAR...REMOVE POSITIVE TERMINAL FROM BATTERY , IF CAR STILL RUNNING THEN ALTERNATOR IS OKAY..IF NOT THEN ITS YOUR ALTERNATOR...IF WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN IT , IT JUST CLICKS , THEN ITS YOUR STATER SOLENOID..

 

clicking doesn't always mean a solenoid.

I stuck a new sstarter in my mini, it turned over a few times and then stopped, and just clicked. figured it was the solenoid, so replace it.

still clicking.

cleaned all the contacts, still just clicked.

ran a new ground from the engine to the bulkhead, nnothing--just clicking.

then on a whim I grabbed hold of the cable running from the solenoid to the starter, and it was warm.

I put the old starter back in--which worked, but was on its way out--and the car started right up. faulty starter, it does happen...