16 replies to this topic

[Stanley the Mini]

Firstly, I am female...
Secondly, I've a massive issue with my mini, caused by me...
Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
After having a squealing mini for a couple if weeks, I had the belt checked and tightened, although it had already flattened the battery. I accidentally placed the jump leads the wrong way round on the points on my mini, whilst trying to charge the battery
Not sure what damage I've done but my stereo now doesn't work, there are two lights on the dash and although the battery is now charged (correctly) and the engine starts, I can only stop it by stalling him.
I guess I've frazzled something but can it be repaired??
I need to know where to start please...
Thanks in advance :)

[Kieranlee999]

Check your fuses if they have blow replace them and everything should work again but dont take it from me 100% im no expert but check your fuses and if they have blown change them

[ToM 2012]

hi first to check would be all the fuses as you have probably blown them. 

[Stanley the Mini]

Ok, thank you :)
Job number one for tomorrow :)

[lrostoke]

for the engine to still be running you still have power to the coil.

 

stalling the engine may stop it, but Im guessing power will still go to the coil. you could burn it out prematurely

 

something will be shorting on the ignition side...may have caused an arc in the switch, stopping it switching off power

[KernowCooper]

You need to have the charging system checked with a voltmeter once you have sorted the issue of not shutting off, to ensure the alternator diode pack is not damaged and the regulator both could be fried, it should charge between 13.7-14.3 volts at 2000rpm plus.

 

Your radio may have a fuse inside to prevent incorrect polarity connections, if not its a service centre for the radio unless its cheap then it won't be cost effective.

Edited by KernowCooper, 17 December 2013 - 12:01 AM.

[grumpy dad]

what year is it

the two lights on the dash

and are thay on all the time ?

 

I think you will keep getting a flat battery

as the coil will be live all the time

so the only way to stop this is to disconnect

the battery each time you stop

until you get the problem sorted  

Edited by grumpy dad, 17 December 2013 - 01:28 AM.

[Ethel]

I don't see how been female makes a difference, blokes also do stupid  .

 

I guess by points you mean battery terminals? It shouldn't have done much, if any, damage if the battery was still connected, 12ish volts in opposite directions = not many volts in any direction. It can also only have got at anything that made a circuit i.e. was switched on or is always on. Again, very little is always on, but a modernish radio can have a permanent live for station memory, and anti-theft if it's coded.

 

Some more info would be useful on the switching off issue, year & model...

 

You could see if other ignition fed stuff works (indicators, wipers) after you've turned the key to stop it.

[Stanley the Mini]

Thanks for all your comments.
I know very little mechanically about my Mini so simple terms is helpful :)
Yes, I mean battery terminals - I simply put the black lead on the positive and vice versa! (Didn't help that the garage had replaced the red rubber cap onto the wrong point!)
Stanley is a J Reg Mini City 1999.
The lights on the dash are the red and yellow/orange either side of speedometer and came on when I connected the battery correctly and got the car running. They stay in all the time.
When I took it for a test drive yesterday and arrived back on the drive I turned the key completely yet the engine remained running
The stereo is a modern one, so hope fully has just shorted itself out. I will check both the radio and fuse box today and let you all know the outcome.
Soooo much thanks!!!

[Stanley the Mini]

Sorry, just to clarify after reading my post...
I've just started him up, first time, and he is ticking over nicely.
Indicators work but not the wipers. Headlights work.
Still running after turning the ignition off and that's when the two dash lights remain on, presumably because I have to stall him to be able to stop the engine?! Although these lights being on, hasn't flattened the battery overnight :)
Oh, and indicators still work too after switching off the engine!! Ignition fault??

I'm just feeling happy that at least he started up happily on this cold damp morning :)

[grumpy dad]

sounds to me like the ignition switch 

to test

take the cover off that covers the switch 

flow the wires from the switch

and you will find a plug unplug it 

the lights should go out

if this happens put the plug back together

start car then unplug the plug

if the car stops its the switch 

just buy a new one and fit 

[Ethel]

A few things still aren't clear, the rec light is properly called the charge light. It should come on when the battery and alternator are putting out different voltages. If it stays on, it could be because the alternator isn't working; you risk being stranded when the battery runs flat. Revving the engine can give a clue, if the alternator is working the light should get brighter. Dimmer suggests the alternator is faulty.

Grumpy dad could be correct look for the steering column connector with brown, white and a white/red stripe wire and you won't need to remove the cover to test. You still haven't told us anything that says if it's carbed or fuel injection, electronic ignition...

[KernowCooper]

Never ever remove the battery terminal while the engines running to make the car shut down, it will damage the alternator which will spike its voltage into the hundreds of volts.

[tiger99]

Yes, and it could kill you as well as the car!

[grumpy dad]

who suggested to remove the battery terminal with the car running  ?