Is there anyone out there

Who has any auto electrics knowledge pre ECU cars, I have a problem starting on a cold morning.

HELP as it is ( not ) Driving me mad

Ta

Steve

What are you trying to start? Does it have electronic or mechanical ignition?

Check for tracking on the distributor cap and rotor arm, the carbon contact in the centre of the cap, the high tension leads and the coil for a start.

Battery connections or engine earth connection could be at fault

Manual or auto choke if its carbed.

To answer the questions -

Manual Choke - has problems firing.

Mechanical ignition, Dizzy cap has no tracking , or on arm either, new HT leads fitted, new coil is on order.

New battery fitted in Late Nov, all connections secure, including earth.

BTW, it is a W reg mini that is causing grief

Check the engine earth strap. On the old 1100, which was a mini engine, it was a braided strap running from the clutch end of the engine near the starter, to the adjacent inner wing. A bit of corrosion at the wing end used to give a really slow turn over on the starter. I don't think it helps the quality of your spark either. Unbolt it at the car body end and clean it up before putting it back.

Also, with your distributor cap off, run a bit of rough card between the contact points in there to clean them up. Make sure no fibres get trapped though. You could use a fine abrasive paper but don't use too much or you'll need to reset the gap. If you can turn the engine by hand (with the fan say) check the points are opening and closing correctly and are not stuck.

Just had another thought. The old Austin 1100 used to have an electric SU fuel pump under the boot floor and the points in that would sometimes stick. A good tap on the casing would normally get it ticking again. Not sure if it's in a similar place on the mini - it'll be in the fuel line somewhere and roughly the size of a beer can.