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Recurring Electrical/alternator Issues

electrical

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#1 JaiminPatel

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Posted 12 September 2017 - 01:08 PM

Hi all,

 

My 1995 Rover Mini over the last year has been an absolute nightmare with recurring electrical issues.

 

In September 2016 the battery and alternator were replaced by a 'Classic Mini Specialist' as the battery kept dying. Less than two months later, the battery died again and the same garage replaced the engine earth strap as it had rusted.

 

It worked for a while before the battery started dying yet again so I took it back to the garage where they installed a brand new 55 amp alternator as they suggested the electrical loading could have been straining the lower power 45 amp one.

 

Within a few drives, I noticed a screeching when revving the car so I assumed the alternator belt was not fitted properly. After another visit to the same garage (where the battery completely died on the way) they adjusted the alternator belt saying it should be fine. Less than a day later the screeching was back and smoke started to rise from the bonnet, I stopped it on the roadside and saw that the alternator belt was missing.

 

What on earth is going on! I really want to keep the car but it's as you can imagine its becoming a pain in the a*** to deal with, what could be causing the issues with the alternators and belts, has anything similar happened to anyone else, any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Jaimin



#2 nicklouse

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Posted 12 September 2017 - 01:16 PM

find a different place to do the work or learn to do it yourself.

 

sounds like they did not adjust the belt correctly the last time.

 

the belt may also not be of the correct dimensions.



#3 Midas Mk1

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Posted 12 September 2017 - 01:25 PM

Alternator mis alignment maybe be an issue. to be honest get a Haynes manual, disconnect the battery first then investigate yourself, a skill to be learned :)

#4 tiger99

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Posted 14 September 2017 - 07:39 PM

I agree with all that, we all had to start somewhere by learning to do things for ourselves, It also helps to you understand what is going on when dealing with garages for jobs for which you are not yet equipped. A bit of knowledge, acquirable from the Haynes and downloadable Rover manuals, car maintenance books in your local library, and by reading this forum, can save vast amounts of money. There is not much future, except for the very rich, in relying on garages for everything. It is always worthwhile learning new skills. Nothing impossibly difficult is involved here, and if you get stuck, whoever comes along first on the forum will be pleased to help. If you don't like getting your hands dirty (and you should do this in any case to avoid skin diseases, although many of us are somewhat remiss) get a pack of disposable blue nitrile gloves.

 

It probably is mostly alternator misalignment, or maybe just overtightening or oil contamination, or maybe just careless fitting,, which are about the only things that would directly damage the belt, and if you can use a ruler or straightedge, or eyeball the new belt carefully, once fitted, you will spot it and see where washers may need to be added. You will need at least 1/2" A/F spanners and/or sockets for the alternator bolts.

 

I would suggest that you may have a genuine electrical problem too. The battery terminals and battery earth strap are prime suspects. I suggest removing and checking them, especially the connection to the boot floor, where you need bare metal contact (cover it with Waxoyl!) and the actual terminals, if the pot or cup type, which tend to expand and not fit the battery posts properly. You can cut them off and replace by split clamp type, with screw fitting (probably available in Halfords, and definitely any on-line auto electrical supplier. Google knows...) to the cables, but if you do that, please be sure to add an insulating cover to at least the positive terminal.

 

Check also the stack of wires on the starter solenoid live terminal. The big black one comes from the battery, the brown ones go to various places like the alternator, ignition switch and light switch, and the stack of crimp lugs does need to be clean on its mating faces and bolted up tight.

 

None of that involves major work and is fairly routine on Minis.







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