well i got the mini 2 months ago have been working on hard...got the motor running and i thought it was sound...but my starter solenoid has gone out twice on me....so i got one more...installed it and i also loosened the throttle cable cause it was running real loud...and high on rpm's..like 3 grand...at idle..well now it seems like everytime i have to start the car i have to jump start...the battery i bought was new when i got the car..i guess maybe it has gotten low on juice cause its been sitting there i dont know....my questions are

1: why does my solenoid keep going out.
2:why is my battery getting drained so soon..
3:how do i get my car to idle normal with out me loosening the cable and then it turning off...when idle...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture258.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...Picture259.jpg
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anyone?

 

ok, it looks like the earth from your engine to the body isn't connect properly, causing the starter motor not to work as it should. Sometimes the engine will earth through the throttle cable if the engine earth isn't good

Check the alternator belt is tensioned right, if not your battery won't charge causing the battery to loose is power

Is there a spring on the carb to the throttle?, if not this could be causing your tick over problems...

 

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...6_01160008.jpg
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here some old pic's after i fixed the throttle...apparently the spring was attached wrong...i just want to know how to make it idle right cause it idles at 3000 rpms, and i dont know how the ground could be on wrong...i dont even see where its at in the picture....if its wrong then where should it go?

 

From memory the carb has numerous adjustments including idle speed and mixture.

With no throttle cable attached at all you should be able to adjust the idle down to ~750rpms, I beleive that it is the screw adjuster near to the cable/lever arrangment. Once you have done this you can reconnect the throttle cable and ensure that there is a small amount of 'slack' but also that full throttle is available - its a bit of a juggle act between the two.

You may have too tight a throttle cable...

There is a good guide here

http://members.core.com/~ckotting/tuning.html

and here

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/su-tune.html

 

okay thanks...now help me tackle this battery drainning issue...appreciatting all the helps bro's

 

Well, my money would be on the 'Prince of Darkness' Lucas Electricals.

Disconnect the batter and stick a voltmeter across the terminals - it should be an open circuit - if it is not, then you have a short.

If that is OK - with the engine running check the warning lights, is the Electrical (orange ?) light glowing slightly ? This can often mean that you have an alternator issue - usually the resistor pack.

You might also want to check that the earth-strap(s) engine to bulkhead are intact - they are a regular failure point - especially as the engine mounting wear and the engine moves around (a lot).

 

out of curiousity where is the earth-strap from the engine to the bulkhead?

 

Check the grounding on the motor. Should be a battery sized cable from engine to bulkhead around the engine steady on the left side (looking from front). You know a Ford solenoid works?

Have the battery re-checked at the store and charged fully. Clean all cables and ground strap areas. Check for shorts as suggested. No power should be flowing with key off. Sometimes a bad alternator diode is the culprit. Check wires to alternator at connector to make sure they aren't broken. Clean all terminal blades on your fuse box. They are known for corrosion and going bad.

Idle:

• Check for vacuum leaks.
• Check that all nuts are tight on the manifold and carb mounting and no leaks in vacuum advance to distributor. Make sure gaskets are not burned torn.
• Fill the dashpot with oil.
• Check timing & adjust if needed.
• Disconnect accelerator cable and adjust idle to 750 rpm as suggested. (Make sure the fast idle screw isn't in contact with the choke lever.)
• Adjust mixture.
• Re-Adjust idle.
• Re-attach accelerator cable. Make sure cable isn't binding or frayed internally.

 

Thank you very much Sir. I will definitly try all of your suggestions...