16 replies to this topic

[beccimarie]

i was driving to fordingbridge from salisbury tonight and i went to put my full beam on and it didnt work! that my lights started to dim! i found a parking bay just in time before my mini cut out! my O/H came out and charged the battery and after a few goes at turning the key he started working again, scared me i was on a very busy road, i drove back and he seems fine.. he always cuts out in the rain but it was only snowing lightly this time.. now everyone says he smells of petrol, but my O/H doesnt seems to think it smells strong enough to be a leak i dunno just seems i cant drive him when its wet, cold or snowing .. he doesnt like it =[ think its off to the garage for poor casper, is everyones mini doggy in this whether? i just cant seem to drive fast in him when its wet or cold

[1984mini25]

It sounds like the alternator isn't charging properly and the car is running just on the battery and draining it. Try checking to see if the alternator belt is tight and not slipping. Also with the engine running put a voltmeter across the battery, you should be getting about 14v, anything less suggests there’s a fault with the alternator not charging properly.

[beccimarie]

It sounds like the alternator isn't charging properly and the car is running just on the battery and draining it. Try checking to see if the alternator belt is tight and not slipping. Also with the engine running put a voltmeter across the battery, you should be getting about 14v, anything less suggests there’s a fault with the alternator not charging properly.

thank you i will have a look tomorrow, how do you all know so much gets me really upset because my step dads like "its a death trap that car" but its not hes just old bless him

[1984mini25]

thank you i will have a look tomorrow, how do you all know so much

Just from messing around and working on cars and minis for the best part of 6 years, plus working in a few garages as a day job probably helps.

[beccimarie]

thank you i will have a look tomorrow, how do you all know so much

Just from messing around and working on cars and minis for the best part of 6 years, plus working in a few garages as a day job probably helps.

i know nothing, this is my first car, iv always wanted a mini, but im not mechanic i get wound up when somthing goes wrong because it could be anything

[1984mini25]

All minis are generally the same once you get used to its little quirks and iron out the little problem areas there pretty reliable, but even the best well looked after and serviced mini can throw the odd temper tantrum.

[Sir Cheat]

Have you got a weather shield fitted, Will stop your problems in the rain and snow..

DISTRIBUTOR SHIELD COVER (LINK)

Edited by Sir Cheat, 26 November 2010 - 11:10 PM.

[E.L.M.O]

Weather shields are a good idea. I really should fit one to the pick up and find my O/Hs one and fit that too.

If the belt on the alternators fine (a sign its slipping is the hobbile screeching noice, but it doesnt always make that sound when its slipping) it could be the bushes in the alternator itself.

[Sam Walters]

It could have been worse though.

Ive had my lights cut out entirely, that was not ideal. 

[buddylove]

Weather Shields are definitely worth it. I had one on my old Mini and could drive in the rain with no problems. I will be installing one in my new to me Mini before its back on the road.

[beccimarie]

Have you got a weather shield fitted, Will stop your problems in the rain and snow..

DISTRIBUTOR SHIELD COVER (LINK)

yes i have got one but it doesnt cover the coil very well and i think thats what is getting wet and cutting out, plus the lorry that go past wosh it undernieth =[ everyones been telling me to put a rubber glove over the distributor but is that safe? i am going to get an electronic ignition too my uncle said that would help...

Edited by beccimarie, 27 November 2010 - 06:02 AM.

[beccimarie]

All minis are generally the same once you get used to its little quirks and iron out the little problem areas there pretty reliable, but even the best well looked after and serviced mini can throw the odd temper tantrum.

well i hope i do learn a bit more, hes a lovely little car, it just seems wet and cold whether are a trouble for him, and its not just because he is a mini because i see loads of minis out in the rain and i cant

[Teapot]

my step dads like "its a death trap that car" but its not

Ask him how many people were killed yesterday driving minis (usually none) and how many driving modern safe cars (bound to be some somewhere).
Then tell him that although there are fewer minis per mile of road, statistically fewer minis per mile are involved in accidents of any kind, let alone fatals.
If he is very old he will need a few days to get his head round that. I just made it up and I recommend you do the same. By the time people have worked out whether you're telling the truth you're long gone.
The mechanical advice from the other guys here is good. Usually they will recommend you do as much as you can yourself. IMHO it's even cleverer if you can get someone else to do it for nothing. But you DO need to understand what's wrong and how to fix it, just in case, and that way you feel less anxious when driving the mini.
Sorry, this has turned into an essay.

[Robert]

gets me really upset because my step dads like "its a death trap that car" but its not hes just old bless him

ALL cars are potentially death traps.

The bodywork bloke who welded up my wheel arches a few weeks ago was full of all that stuff

"Blah, blah, battery and fuel tank"
"Blah, blah, British cars"
"Blah, blah, would never be allowed today"

It upset me at the time, but when I stopped to think about it, thousands - no, millions of people have driven Mini's and almost all of them have lived to tell the tale. I expect your step dad has too!

Enjoy owning a Mini! My first car was a Nova (20 years ago now ). I wanted a Mini, but bought the Nova for practicality. I've always regretted that! Having said that, until I sorted out the wiring, the lights in the Nova would sometimes go out when the indicators cancelled. That could be quite an interesting experience...

[coopdog]

mine did the same near enough
i think its beacause the snow is light and just goes straight into the grill as rain just falls straight down