15 replies to this topic

[mini_mezza]

As some of you know i have been doing a little alpine adventure in the mini http://www.theminifo...mini-adventure/
 

However today i came across a problem, I went to start her and it seemed to have a flat battery, so i got the jump pack on it and she fired up right away. I then got about two miles down the road when all the dash lights dimmed as did the headlights and heater. then suddenly she stopped. 

 

Put the jump pack back on, again fired up straight away, but then after about 30 seconds it died again. I managed to get home by leaving the jump pack on, so fortunately I'm not stranded. 

 

I think i have an idea what this could be, but i just want to see what you all think! 

 

Help greatly appreciated! 

 

m_m

 

[Ben_O]

Buggered battery?

[Domneon]

I would have thought alternator is dead

[Carlos W]

Does the charge warning light illuminate when you turn the ignition on? The bulb may have blown

[alex-95]

+1 on the alternator

[crackfoo]

I just found a fault on mine that had similar symptoms. It was a positive battery lead that was poorly patched by the previous owner and also had some sections that had cracked and corroded.

[Ben_O]

I have has the OP's symptoms on a non-mini car and it turned out to be the battery had dead cells.

 

Thats why i suggested it

[jase12377]

Recharge the battery see how u go if it goes flat alternator I think

[Carlos W]

I'm fairly sure the charge light needs to illuminate in order for the battery to charge.

It could be a simple fix

[mini_mezza]

Charge warning light come on with ignition, so the bulb works, then once she starts and is running, it doesn't come on before she dies.

 

I have a battery that i can borrow, so i will try that out and if she dies with that one, i guess its the alternator! 

 

thanks for the replies so far! 

[crackfoo]

If you have a meter, I'd check the voltage out of the alternator. I thought that on mine as well. My car had trouble starting so boosting did work but eventually even that was not working since I think my cable got worse with the weather lately. It would also die if I put on too much electrics, lights, heater fan high beams etc... simply because the cable to the battery was poor. If there was more volts needed that the alternator couldn't dish out, it would try the battery, it was then my car would die.

 

Unhooked that cable today from the solenoid and car started right away and ran just fine without a battery. 

 

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

[Zara]

Id go with a buggered battery but more so a buggered alternator if im honest like

[KernowCooper]

Just put a voltmeter across the battery 13.7-14.3v if not its not charging

[dklawson]

In addition to Dave's post above, Crackfoo posted a link to Dave's tests.  Take a read through those tests and let us know what they reveal.  

 

To me... your description of the symptoms sound very much like a flat battery that will not charge due to a problem with the alternator.

Edited by dklawson, 27 December 2014 - 03:08 PM.

[Spider]

I would have thought alternator is dead

 

+1