13 replies to this topic

[JakeJakeJake]

My battery keeps going flat and also the engine seems to run a bit rough at lower revs, it sort of splutters a little bit and doesnt really want to idle (idle screw might just need adjusting, never idled well due to lumpy cam and lightend flywheel). Another thing I have noticed is the rev counter seems to wobble slightly almost all the time.

I have replaced the alternator (55amp from minisport) and had the battery checked. I have also checked that the battery is charging and it is, about 14v at 1000rpm

Electrics wise I have been running nothing except for the sometimes standard headlights and wipers, stereo just has two small speakers on the parcle shelf but I have not been using it at all recently nothing else electrical is fitted like spots amps etc.

Even though I live up a hill bump starting it every morning is no fun and I'm sure it can't be good for it and no heater (don't want to use any electricals if the battery is dying) means its a bit of a chilling drive every morning.

[L400RAS]

If the battery is charging at approx 14V, this shows the alternator and earth straps are ok. I would suspect the battery for not holding the charge. Replace with a 038 type, or if you can spend a little extra on a battery, get the 075 type.

Ryan

[JakeJakeJake]

I had the battery tested at halfords and they said it was fine, they did my spare and that was fine aswell (not even a halfords battery).

If there tests weren't acurate though, would a duff battery explain the poor running and wobbly rev counter?

[L400RAS]

If there tests weren't acurate though, would a duff battery explain the poor running and wobbly rev counter?

No, but could you check, clean and tighten the spade connections to the coil? This is where the rev counter picks up its signal, and also the coil obviously creates the spark for the engine...

[JakeJakeJake]

Ok I will do that, should not be too bad though as I replaced the coil not very long ago.

[Brian422]

My battery keeps going flat and also the engine seems to run a bit rough at lower revs, it sort of splutters a little bit and doesnt really want to idle (idle screw might just need adjusting, never idled well due to lumpy cam and lightend flywheel). Another thing I have noticed is the rev counter seems to wobble slightly almost all the time.

I have replaced the alternator (55amp from minisport) and had the battery checked. I have also checked that the battery is charging and it is, about 14v at 1000rpm

Electrics wise I have been running nothing except for the sometimes standard headlights and wipers, stereo just has two small speakers on the parcle shelf but I have not been using it at all recently nothing else electrical is fitted like spots amps etc.

Even though I live up a hill bump starting it every morning is no fun and I'm sure it can't be good for it and no heater (don't want to use any electricals if the battery is dying) means its a bit of a chilling drive every morning.

Are you sure that the starting and running are related - they may not be?
It would appear that your alternator has good output and the battery is good.
Suggest connecting an ammeter in series with battery to check for any current flow/leakage which might cause battery to discharge.
I'm try to resolve a similar problem with my mini clubman. I've had the battery checked which appeared good and have just ordered a new alternator. Since discovering the discharge problem, as a temporary measure, I disconnect the battery ground every night and although we've had several sharp frosts and damp mornings, have not had any starting difficulties.
Hope this helps.

[Ben10Raw]

I've had this problem with my mini, but my problem was that the fan belt wasnt turning the altenator all of the time hense not charging the battery. So i bought a new fan bet and that sorted the problem. So what a new fan blet cost, it might fix it. Even though it could be charging the battery some of the time like mine was, just not all the time hense flat battery.

Hope this helps.

[JakeJakeJake]

Are you sure that the starting and running are related - they may not be?
It would appear that your alternator has good output and the battery is good.
Suggest connecting an ammeter in series with battery to check for any current flow/leakage which might cause battery to discharge.
I'm try to resolve a similar problem with my mini clubman. I've had the battery checked which appeared good and have just ordered a new alternator. Since discovering the discharge problem, as a temporary measure, I disconnect the battery ground every night and although we've had several sharp frosts and damp mornings, have not had any starting difficulties.
Hope this helps.

I think they are related as both started at the same time. I'll check for any current drains. I will have a go at disconecting the battery over night aswell, I have a battery cutoff switch, so I might aswell install that.

I've had this problem with my mini, but my problem was that the fan belt wasnt turning the altenator all of the time hense not charging the battery. So i bought a new fan bet and that sorted the problem. So what a new fan blet cost, it might fix it. Even though it could be charging the battery some of the time like mine was, just not all the time hense flat battery.

Hope this helps.

Might be that, worth changing it as it does look a bit tired. I thought it would squeal if it was loose?

[Ben10Raw]

Are you sure that the starting and running are related - they may not be?
It would appear that your alternator has good output and the battery is good.
Suggest connecting an ammeter in series with battery to check for any current flow/leakage which might cause battery to discharge.
I'm try to resolve a similar problem with my mini clubman. I've had the battery checked which appeared good and have just ordered a new alternator. Since discovering the discharge problem, as a temporary measure, I disconnect the battery ground every night and although we've had several sharp frosts and damp mornings, have not had any starting difficulties.
Hope this helps.

I think they are related as both started at the same time. I'll check for any current drains. I will have a go at disconecting the battery over night aswell, I have a battery cutoff switch, so I might aswell install that.

I've had this problem with my mini, but my problem was that the fan belt wasnt turning the altenator all of the time hense not charging the battery. So i bought a new fan bet and that sorted the problem. So what a new fan blet cost, it might fix it. Even though it could be charging the battery some of the time like mine was, just not all the time hense flat battery.

Hope this helps.

Might be that, worth changing it as it does look a bit tired. I thought it would squeal if it was loose?

Not all the time though, mine only squealed a few times so i thought it was fine. if you can turn your altenator with your fingers then it needs changing. shouldnt be able to turn. I'd say that was your problem

[JakeJakeJake]

Ok thanks for everyones help, I will fit a battery cut off switch, been meaning to do it anyway help keep it a bit safer hopefully.

I will also change the fan belt hopefully that is the problem, if not won't hurt to change it. Where is the best place to get one from, minispares are not too far away, would rather get one today on my way home from work, where else sells them?

[miniman retford]

You sure the battery is going flat ? i had a similar problem last year when it seemed flat (starter just clicked) & not starting in the morning, but once started with a jump pack it was fine the rest off the day, i checked the battery & charging system & all was good, i cleaned up the earth strap connection to the boot floor & checked the engine earth but it made no difference. I fitted a small earth strap from one of the thermostat housing bolts to the inner wing & it cured the problem & has been fine ever since.

Edited by miniman retford, 23 November 2010 - 05:01 PM.

[hepple]

When this happened to me i first re did all of the earths, i then replaced the alternator and battery, then cleaned up all of the connections on the solnoid, alternator and starter motor (helped it a litte bit) None of this actually fixed it. The last thing i did was to fit a new solnoid and starter motor which solved the problem! Good luck and dont give up

[JakeJakeJake]

Yesterday I fitted the battery cut off switch and cleaned up all the connections on the coil. I also took the bulb out of the interior light as it was a bit dodgey, sometimes it would work sometimes it wouldn't, never used it so took it out as it might be shorting out or something?

I also had a go at fixing my wipers (another story) so did not have time to change the fan belt, but it did feel tight, but not too tight.

Moment of truth this morning......


was flat however I had to bump start it yesterday to get it home and it was dark so had the lights on, also it is only a short drive so probably not enough to charge it up. It turned over a couple of times but then only very slowly, which is what it usually does so I don't think its the solenoid?

How hard is it to change the solenoid? Honestly, not a Haynes manual rating.

Might get time this evening to do the fan belt, if I bought the right one >.<

[hepple]

It is easy as anything! just take the grill of, take all of the connections of the solnoid, unscrew the two bolts that go into the clutch housing and then pull it out. Do everything in reverse . (Obviously diconnect the battery first!)