12 replies to this topic

[Sophie123.d]

This has been happening on and off for about a month now, my mini needs to be jump started almost every time I want to drive her. Even then when I turn her off half the time she won't start up again, the DC voltage when she is turned off is 12.7. When I jump start her and have had her running for a while the DC voltage is 13.9, Is it the alternator or starter motor? Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks, Sophie

Edited by Sophie123.d, 19 November 2017 - 12:34 PM.

[panky]

If it starts OK with a jump then it looks like a weak battery or dodgy terminals. Does it spin over OK when you try it?

[Sophie123.d]

When I turn the key she sort of sounds as though she is going to start and then just starts getting weaker and then nothing

[panky]

It does sound like the battery, can you get hold of a known good one to try. But make sure the connections are good first.

[Sophie123.d]

I'll try it tomorrow, thanks

[Sophie123.d]

I've sanded the battery connectors and the ground on the body, so far so good. I've been driving her most of today and she hasn't died on me  thanks for the advice! everything seems okay, for now haha 

[panky]

Excellent

[MiniMonty]

Look forward to a new alternator AND maybe a new starter motor before long....

Nothing lasts forever.

[Sophie123.d]

I think it might be, she's not starting again 😢 Anyone know how I can test to see if it's the alternator or starter?
Thanks

[DeanP]

clean the connections to the alternator and starter and vaseline up the same as you did the battery connections.

 

May be worth doing the connections on the fuse box too under the bonnet. They are very open to the wet winter weather.

Edited by DeanP, 22 November 2017 - 07:48 PM.

[panky]

Bummer

Looking at your first post the readings look OK but does the voltage drop when you turn the headlights on? With the engine running the voltage across the battery should dip slightly when you put the lights on but then come back up again - if it drops then the alternator could be faulty.

As suggested clean a few more contacts and see how it goes before digging deeper - remember to disconnect the batter first though.

[Carlos W]

Batteries don’t like the cold

[mk1leg]

check all earths esp the block to shell