Also a friend is having trouble with 1998 Mpi non-cooper
normally with key on position number 2 the fuel pump buzzes for a few seconds b4 you crank (to build fuel pressure). His is not doing this. I have unboxed the 4 mems relays near the bulkhead in the black box, and manually moved the fuel pump relay, and we hear a buzz!. So, it is the "control" side of the relay circuit that is the problem we have deduced. It is getting the activating 12V from the key switch, but it is not earthing to activate the relay. The problem is, the earth (black and pruple wire i think - if anyone is bothered) goes into the ECU with hundreds of wires. So - i suspect the ECU, an expensive problem i would have thought...
The ECU has anti tamper torx screws, which i have undone, but the case seems to be stuck together. this is as far as i got - as my friend is worried of me braking what is already suspectedly broken....
I have heard of people having problems with Mpi fuel mixture -not LAMBDA sensor - ECU earthing problems, which have been solved by opening up and attaching another earth wire inside.
was wondering whether there were any wiring techies out there with any similar experiences. I know mini electircs are dodgy at the best of times, but i KNOW i have eliminated stupid problems, i have some experience and plently of diagnostic kit.
sorry for the long one, RS