22 replies to this topic

[lrostoke]

The earlier ones use same system for joining the power wires, just the solenoid is wing mounted..but its still same design battery cable onto solenoid with all main power wires connected to it.

 

Checking connections at this point was one of the first things advised though.

[SlamDunc]

 

Thanks for the advice chaps. Due to commitments with my little one and general family life I've only just had the chance for another tinkle with him. I've taken the precaution of fitting a new 70amp alternator as the old one was looking very tatty and wanted to eliminate an iffy unit front the equation.

I've also fitted an additional engine earth strap to the front cross member from the engine steady to rule out a poor earth.

With a fully charged battery the volt meter showed 13.2v before starting which dropped to 12.35v with the engine running.

I checked the volts at the starter motor and found they matched the battery at 12.35 volts. the alternator was happily pumping out 14.2 volts but it clearly isn't getting to the battery? This was confirmed by switching on the headlamps and watching the voltmeter in the car dropping sharply!

I even set the throttle at 3000 rpm to check if that increased the volts but it didn't.

Were would I find a blown fused link and what does it look like? I've owned carbed minis previously without this kind of issue so I'm on unfamiliar ground!

Thanks for the help

 

 

With respect....it's all in the previous posts...I'll guess that your fusible link has gone west.

 

If you carry on....you'll wreck your new alternator and maybe fry something else in the process - whatever you do, do NOT disconnect the IND wire with it in this condition, it;s the only thing at the moment regulating the alternator.

It was pointless you changing the alternator if you didn't following the advice given and make sure it was actually connected to something in the first place...

 

 

Thanks for the advice.  I have been following what people have kindly suggested and have located the fusible links which are all intact with no melting or burring.  The soldered connections on the wiring aren't corroded or dry either and the diode appears in good order.

 

I've removed the wiring from the solenoid, cleaned, sanded and re-greased it as suggested.

 

I'm still getting a reading of 12.35 volts at both the battery and starter motor but oddly I had no volts at the alternator when I measured from the large terminal and an earth point.  Stupidly, I subsequently found hadn't pushed the connector fully into the alternator before I started the engine which I now understand may have upset the voltage regulator-thingy resulting in the 0 volts I'm now getting and possibly another alternator being ordered...d'oh!

[lrostoke]

Are you getting zero voltage with the cable plugged in ?? Because really you should be getting at least battery voltage, because the brown wire is connected to the battery ???

[SlamDunc]

Lol! I'll go and remeasure-I'm confusing myself now!

[Captain Mainwaring]

 

 

Thanks for the advice chaps. Due to commitments with my little one and general family life I've only just had the chance for another tinkle with him. I've taken the precaution of fitting a new 70amp alternator as the old one was looking very tatty and wanted to eliminate an iffy unit front the equation.

I've also fitted an additional engine earth strap to the front cross member from the engine steady to rule out a poor earth.

With a fully charged battery the volt meter showed 13.2v before starting which dropped to 12.35v with the engine running.

I checked the volts at the starter motor and found they matched the battery at 12.35 volts. the alternator was happily pumping out 14.2 volts but it clearly isn't getting to the battery? This was confirmed by switching on the headlamps and watching the voltmeter in the car dropping sharply!

I even set the throttle at 3000 rpm to check if that increased the volts but it didn't.

Were would I find a blown fused link and what does it look like? I've owned carbed minis previously without this kind of issue so I'm on unfamiliar ground!

Thanks for the help

 

 

With respect....it's all in the previous posts...I'll guess that your fusible link has gone west.

 

If you carry on....you'll wreck your new alternator and maybe fry something else in the process - whatever you do, do NOT disconnect the IND wire with it in this condition, it;s the only thing at the moment regulating the alternator.

It was pointless you changing the alternator if you didn't following the advice given and make sure it was actually connected to something in the first place...

 

 

Thanks for the advice.  I have been following what people have kindly suggested and have located the fusible links which are all intact with no melting or burring.  The soldered connections on the wiring aren't corroded or dry either and the diode appears in good order.

 

I've removed the wiring from the solenoid, cleaned, sanded and re-greased it as suggested.

 

I'm still getting a reading of 12.35 volts at both the battery and starter motor but oddly I had no volts at the alternator when I measured from the large terminal and an earth point.  Stupidly, I subsequently found hadn't pushed the connector fully into the alternator before I started the engine which I now understand may have upset the voltage regulator-thingy resulting in the 0 volts I'm now getting and possibly another alternator being ordered...d'oh!

 

 

 

If it was all the way out, you may have got away with it - the IND wire gives the necessary excitement voltage to kick things off, but if IND was touching and B were out.....you may have cooked the reg/rectifier. The only thing to be said is that it's a cheap job to replace them.

[SlamDunc]

Finally got this sorted. The previous owner had removed an ammeter and the connection he had made had failed. Took lots of searching to find it! Thanks for all the assistance guys.

[lrostoke]

yeah I doubt we'd have guessed that :)

[SlamDunc]

Lol! Wasn't until I traced an odd set of wires into the bulkhead that I found it! Ahh the joys of mini ownership and previous owners bodge jobs! What else will I find?! Lol