10 replies to this topic

[kev fletcher]

hello new to mini ownership, I brought my mini about 2 years ago it was abandoned on a local house drive I asked if it was for sale and it was and apart from the wings and valance it was fairly rust free so I towed it home and put it in my lock up. due to work commitments it stopped in the lock up for 2 years untouched.

so last month I pulled it out of the garage and had a good look around the mini and it is a 1995    1275 mini sprite  with single point ignition I put fresh petrol and a battery on it and it started straight away I have fitted a plastic clubman front end and it passed its mot first time. it has a charging problem but apart from that its running lovely.

 

the charging problem is confusing in that I am only getting 12,6 volts at the battery with the engine running and I have tried 3 different alternators the one that is on now gave of 14 volts for a couple of days but that has now dropped to 12.4 and yes I have put a new earth lead on the engine to chassis I have tried running a cable from alternator to battery with engine running but it makes no difference  so any help would be gratefully received  

 

 

kev fletcher

 

[Tamworthbay]

Welcome to TMF. Get some pics up if you get a chance, members are always keen on pics.

[Wise Old Elf]

 

the charging problem is confusing in that I am only getting 12,6 volts at the battery with the engine running and I have tried 3 different alternators the one that is on now gave of 14 volts for a couple of days but that has now dropped to 12.4 and yes I have put a new earth lead on the engine to chassis I have tried running a cable from alternator to battery with engine running but it makes no difference  so any help would be gratefully received  

 

 

kev fletcher

 

 

Hi Kev and welcome.

 

What is the battery voltage with the engine off?

 

Jason

[kev fletcher]

Hi Jason. the battery voltage without engine running is 12v I have tested the battery with a voltage drop meter and its fine

hope this is of any help

 

Kev

[mk1leg]

Hi..and welcome to TMF and enjoy..................

[megamini_jb]

Welcome

[Wise Old Elf]

Hi Jason. the battery voltage without engine running is 12v I have tested the battery with a voltage drop meter and its fine

hope this is of any help

 

Kev

 

Seems strange that you are having the same problem with 3 different alternators. The alternator is adding to the voltage but not by much. What happens when you increase the engine speed? Maybe its just a case of low idle speed?

 

I would also clamp a jump lead on the body of the alternator and onto a good earth on the body; just in-case.

 

Have a look at:

 

http://www.theminifo...rnator +testing

Edited by Wise Old Elf, 15 November 2013 - 11:05 PM.

[kev fletcher]

_{I tried putting a jump lead from body to alternator and increasing engine revs still the same, I followed the link to alternators problem you put above and it is very good I will try some of the things suggested}

_{I have just been looking at the Haynes wiring diagram and it shows the thick brown cables coming out of the alternator into a fusible link and then on to the battery, starter and ignition switch does any one know where this fuse is as I think this will be the main culprit for giving a bad connection}

_{thanks for all the  great help and advise}

 

_Kev

[Gadgets]

Welcome. Do you have a good auto electrian near you? I had a problem with indicators spent ages trying to mend in the end went to a chap and it was the wire on the ignition key switch feed. Well worth going to these sorts of tech people and a quick fix.

 

Good luck and enjoy your mini

[kev fletcher]

ok so this problem is driving me batty. I went to Nottingham Minis and brought a brand new 70amp alternator no change so I then brought a brand new battery this took the charge up to 14 volt success so I went to the garage filled up with fuel came back home and tested the voltage and it had dropped back down to 12volt at the battery I even tried a different multi meter just in case but no. I have followed the cable from the alternator to the starter motor where it joins the battery cable I have renewed the crimps on both ends and traced all the cable no shorts or bad connections so why the hell can I not charge the battery?????

[Wise Old Elf]

Hi

 

That is a pain. Did you check the small plug is supplying 12v to the alternator?

 

From the link previously posted:

 

"6. You should only have voltage on the smaller terminal when the ignition is switched on and if you don’t then check by replacing the plug in the alternator and with the ignition in the ON position the Ignition light should be on and glowing Red. If you do not get the ignition light on then remove the plug from the alternator and connect a male lucar into the SMALL 6.3MM Lucar Only in the alternator plug and touch the end of this wire to earth on the engine, The Ignition Light Should Now Come On.

If the ignition light does not come on then you will very likely have a wiring fault or the ignition light bulb blown. Investigate and repair before continuing on with the tests."

 

Jason