Electrics

Non-starter
Question: I am currently rebuilding my wife's Mini. Before it was parked up it ran okay. I have fitted a new battery but it will not start. The ignition light lights up but goes out when the starter is operated. I have cleaned the earth lead in the boot but this has not helped. The engine will tun over by hand. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: This is a fairly common problem. Make sure the battery is fully charged and holding the charge. Disconnect the battery and clean up all of the battery terminals thoroughly and then do the same at the solenoid. Remove the two screws holding the solenoid to the inner wing, clean the rust off the inner wing around the mounting point and do the same with the solenoid. Refit the solenoid sing new screws. Reconnect the battery and the problem should be resolved. If not, check the starter connections and engine earth straps.

See a full index of Ask a technical question