11 replies to this topic

[Disgruntled_Mini_Owner]

Good evening everyone,

After having saved a 1992 Mini Mayfair and having had a host of a thousand million problems (from cylinder head gaskets, brakes, exhaust, lighting, electrical and interior woes to misfiring and welding issues) the wee devil has now cut out completely. 
Nothing works at all; the ignition has died and not even the lights come on. When turning the ignition there is no life whatsoever...it's like someone has disconnected the battery. Yet the battery is charged and connected securely with clean connectors. 

I'm always keen to investigate problems but this one has me stumped. Can anyone shed some light on the issue? 

I'm not great at vehicle electrics but if anyone out there can help then I would be more than grateful!

Many thanks. 



 

[Carlos W]

Have you checked the other end, where the battery cable connects to the solenoid?

 

Do you have a multimeter?

[Alex_B]

First up is get yourself a digital multimeter. That will help you diagnose this and any future faults that may affect your mini, Maplins do some decent ones for not very much money. I would personally start by reading the battery voltage (using the dc voltage setting on the multimeter (20v range)) then work your way through the loom till you loose the voltage. So after its known if the battery is giving voltage then try the starter solenoid, on your car that is on the starter motor. From there its a case of working your way through to the fuse box. But I suspect the issue is at the solenoid if no circuits on the car are operational.

[Disgruntled_Mini_Owner]

Thank you folks! I don't as of yet have a multimeter so guess what i'll be going to get first thing tomorrow! 
The electronics and the wiring loom are a bit daunting to me as i've never really dealt with them before, guess this mini will make a mechanic out of me yet. 

Is this a common problem? 

[moolieferret]

I Had the same problem some years ago, I checked the lead form the battery to the solenoid,  the cable had come loose underneath the car and made contact with the exhaust and shorted out the electrics, I replaced the cable and battery and all was ok after that, hope this may help just an idea

[Stevie W]

Hi,

 

I had exactly this problem on a 1979 Mini 1000 years ago, and it turned out to be the main battery cable connection to the solenoid. Simply tightening the battery cable connection to the solenoid sorted the problem.

This Mini was running and then just completely stopped with no electrical power, similar to what you are experiencing.

 

Once I'd solved the problem, I took off and cleaned the main battery terminal that connects to the solenoid and that sorted the problem for good!!

 

Cheers, Steve.

[Alex_B]

Thank you folks! I don't as of yet have a multimeter so guess what i'll be going to get first thing tomorrow! 
The electronics and the wiring loom are a bit daunting to me as i've never really dealt with them before, guess this mini will make a mechanic out of me yet. 

Is this a common problem? 

Well its quite common on old electrics, connections getting corroded and such. But a wiring loom isnt that daunting, after all its just a circuit, a positive and a negative creating a loop. In the Haynes book of lies (manual) it has a wiring diagram for your car. But your symptoms are likely to be before the fusebox.

[Disgruntled_Mini_Owner]

Would it be a coincidence that after replacing the indicator fuse everything shut down? Yet...the indicator is still not functioning. Could this be anything to do with the solenoid connection? (apologies if that sounds incredibly noobie!) 

[Dusky]

Yes. The connection supplys a posetive terminal to all electrics.

[jime17]

Take the positives (no pun intended) from this....


usually total failure like this can only be for a couple of reasons (which have been mentioned) and its far easier to diagnose than an intermittent partial failure of a circuit.

You'll get to the bottom of it with the help of people here.

My 2 pence?... Check

battery -ve to body.

Engine earth strap

Solenoid main feed from Battery

Check whole length of live cable from battery to solenoid for short to earth.

[Ethel]

The 2 faults you really don't want are the battery cable melting on the exhaust or getting cut where it goes through the boot floor, for the want of a grommet. 

[Earwax]

Check that you havent shorted the fuses , or give them a wiggle,, also check you have good earth connections - battery and engine