55 replies to this topic

[Mrstars11]

Hi guys and gals,

Yesterday i finally bit the bullet and purchased my first ever mini.
After looking around i bought a 1988 austin mini Mayfair, which I loved the look of, checked for rust and rot test drove it, looked through the old mot certificates, it was serviced in April, mot till next feb, everything was top banana.

Deal done, I was elated. Set off on the 64 mile trip home.

5 miles in, off residential roads and onto the dual carriageway, a chance to try the massive 998cc engine. Haha.

Hit 40mph, and it died. It shuddered a bit then it cut out and died. Then it wouldn't start.
Quick check on the battery and it was putting out 11 volts, so jump started it and off i went, about 500 yards and it cut out and died again.

Ended up on a tow truck for the journey home, it's now sat on my drive and this morning its a dead as a dodo. No ignition light, no turn over. Nothing.

Its obvious the battery is flat, so it's potentially an alternator issue. But when I broke down my hazards wouldn't work. But the indicators did.

Also if it is a flat battery issue, would this cause it to just die as I'm doing 40mph. Well, splutter and cut out and die.


Im so devastated, I know a classic car will need maintenance and isn't a practical choice for most people, but after making my dream car a reality, 10 mins in and im left with a non working car.
It's going to the mechanic on Tuesday for a look over but I'm still gutted about it.

Does it get better?

Im in turmoil as to keeping it or selling it or just sulking in bed.


Any advice for a mini newbie?

[Bungle]

Kernowcooper did a good battery / alternator test write up, have a read and work through the tests

 

i think it's in FAQ section

[Bungle]

http://www.theminifo...charging-facts/

 

http://www.theminifo...ng-basic-tests/

 

http://www.theminifo...vehicle-earths/

 

 

there's your homework for tonight if you need any help ask

[Mrstars11]

Thanks very much, I'll have a look.
I hope its not serious.

[Miniminx71]

Sounds like the naughty people who sold it knew the alternator was on its way out so charged the battery before you saw it and hoped for the best. Sounds like the alternator or a duff battery. It would cause you to conk out at speed as there's no power to the fuel pump :-(

Edited by Miniminx71, 07 June 2014 - 03:37 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

Did the recovery people check anything or say anything? First thing to do is to charge up the battery (or try another one) and see if it starts, if it does get a voltmeter on the battery and see what the reading is, you are hoping for 14-15v. If you don't have a multimeter then its worth getting one. Maplins do decent ones for less than a tenner and it will more than pay for itself with any classic car. Good luck. And yes it does get better than this!

[Mrstars11]

Yeah, my thoughts. Exactly, he got it out the garage started first time. Test drove it was a charm. Bet he had it on charge in the garage. Sly dog. I hope its something simple like the battery or alternator.
I'll be gutted if its a major job.

Thanks for the fast responses and help guys. I really appreciate. As I'm new to minis and worrying ive made a massive changer of a choice.

[Tamworthbay]

Yeah, my thoughts. Exactly, he got it out the garage started first time. Test drove it was a charm. Bet he had it on charge in the garage. Sly dog. I hope its something simple like the battery or alternator.
I'll be gutted if its a major job.
Thanks for the fast responses and help guys. I really appreciate. As I'm new to minis and worrying ive made a massive changer of a choice.

it shouldn't be anything too serious, even a new alternator is not a major problem. They are easy to change and cheap enough to buy.

[Mrstars11]

Tam,

The aa man said he thought it was the alternator or electrics, but as it was so dark and I was on a dual carriageway with no hazards he didn't want to work on it and just towed it.
Before it was jump started it was putting out 11 volts. (The aa man said)
He then put his battery pack onto it and it started right up, and I followed him for about 5 mins to a safe location to load it on to the truck.

So there is clearly something wrong with at the very least the battery.
I was worried that the battery being dead wouldn't be the reason it cut out when I hit 40mph, but mini minx has given me slight confidence in saying that would cause the engine to splutter and die.

[Alex_B]

I would be looking into the entire wiring loom and checking what works and doesnt while I am at it if I were you, (not as scary as it sounds).
The hazards not working could be something simple like the relay/ flasher unit being duff (very common) or just some wonky wiring, but as that and the battery/charging system are suspect there may be other issues and I think rust and wiring are the two main things you want perfect on a mini, as they cause the most issues.

But dont despair, theres a huge amount of knowledge on here along with people willing to help :) 

[Miniminx71]

Hi guys and gals,

Yesterday i finally bit the bullet and purchased my first ever mini.
After looking around i bought a 1988 austin mini Mayfair, which I loved the look of, checked for rust and rot test drove it, looked through the old mot certificates, it was serviced in April, mot till next feb, everything was top banana.

Deal done, I was elated. Set off on the 64 mile trip home.

5 miles in, off residential roads and onto the dual carriageway, a chance to try the massive 998cc engine. Haha.

Hit 40mph, and it died. It shuddered a bit then it cut out and died. Then it wouldn't start.
Quick check on the battery and it was putting out 11 volts, so jump started it and off i went, about 500 yards and it cut out and died again.

Ended up on a tow truck for the journey home, it's now sat on my drive and this morning its a dead as a dodo. No ignition light, no turn over. Nothing.

Its obvious the battery is flat, so it's potentially an alternator issue. But when I broke down my hazards wouldn't work. But the indicators did.

Also if it is a flat battery issue, would this cause it to just die as I'm doing 40mph. Well, splutter and cut out and die.


Im so devastated, I know a classic car will need maintenance and isn't a practical choice for most people, but after making my dream car a reality, 10 mins in and im left with a non working car.
It's going to the mechanic on Tuesday for a look over but I'm still gutted about it.

Does it get better?

Im in turmoil as to keeping it or selling it or just sulking in bed.


Any advice for a mini newbie?

Just out of curiosity: did the guy who sold it to you seem to be into cars? Or was it a car he'd had for ages and just decided to get rid of it because he wasn't using it anymore?

[KernowCooper]

First thing is fully charge the battery and let it stand at least 4+hrs and see if the battery voltage is 12.65v which is 100% charge, if less it points to a sulphated battery, if its down to 11.5v it points to a faulty cell so replace the battery. Once those tests have been completed move on to the alternator tests Bungle put up links for to test the alternator.

 

If your unsure just shout.

 

Moved into tech section for a better response

Edited by KernowCooper, 07 June 2014 - 04:44 PM.

[Stu1961]

Looked at a few on EBay always wary if there are other Mini's in the background don't know why just puts me off.

[Cooperman]

A new alternator from Mini Spares is about £40 and a decent battery around £50.

If changing both, make sure the alternator pulley is in line with the water pump and crankshaft pulleys and, as they are low cost, fit a new fan belt at the same time.

If fitting a new battery, clean and check the earth lead onto the boot floor and from the engine to the body at the front.

If you ask for a bit of discount £100 will see it all running perfectly.

 

Sorry to hear of the problem when you have just bought your first Mini, but welcome to our fraternity. If we can help further just let us know - that's what we are here for.

[Mrstars11]

Hi guys,

Sorry for lack of responses.

I've just had a friend of a friend come round, he is a fellow mini owner and has been for years, he ran a fair few checks and concluded my alternator was infact working fine.
However my battery was sitting at 9.4 volts. When jumped it boosted to 12.03 but decreased quite quickly when things got switched on, lights etc.
so we determined, the battery was el crapola. So just been to get a generic off the shelf halfords battery, cost £54.
Took out the old battery and tested it. It was just over 7v.
Tidied up the battery connectors, the earth wire on the battery and the boot floor where it's attached looked brand new.
Connected the new battery,

And,

Whooooshhh. A new lease of life, started first time, sounded better than ever. Lights and indicators were working, but still no hazards.
But yeah. Looks to have been a battery issue.

I've taken it round the block and it was fine. Sounded and ran awesome.

I've noticed i have a loose exhaust bracket as that's rattling a fair bit. Hazards still don't work, fuel gauge reads wrong, oil gauge is wrong, rev counter doesn't work, fog lights dont work, and there what I think a lot of spare loose wires hanging around.
Also the brakes are somewhat weak, it's very difficult to get it to stop, its a serious press on the pedal to stop. Which is a bit scary...

But apart from that its running.

Thanks so much everyone for all your help and advice, really had so many responses and such a sense of community. It's been fantastic.

Minimax,
He had owned the car for around 4 years, from speaking to him, it seemed it was his everyday car until he purchased a newer car. And he said he took the mini to shows.
However now ive looked i imagine its been unused for maybe 12 months or so. I imagine he told some white lies as to how often it's been used.

I feel so welcome already, I'll even have a go at uploading some pics. :)

Thanks again everyone. Its much appreciated.
Dom.