6 replies to this topic

[Jordannn]

Hi Guys,

 

I have a problem... a fairly important problem.

 

My Rover Mini Equinox (1996)'s electrical are playing up.

 

Ill try to describe this in the best way possible.

 

3 months ago, the radio started to cut out and restart every time i touched the break pedal... turns out the fusible link had corroded and couldn't power the required electrical/lights - this was replaced and everything has been perfect.

 

2 days ago, the radio stared to do the same thing (engine runs fine), I drive it to my local gym and the car does not start (after 2 hours of it starting 1st time - now makes pellet gun noise). I charged the battery, and its been fine since... until today.

 

I was driving and the radio displayed no text (usually says code/tape/radio number on the display - the display was lit up.. but no text and the radio didn't work at all), the lights took ages to turn on and were extremely dim (as in... you couldn't tell they were on), the air blower thingy in the middle was extremely faint and practically didn't work at all. I tested my spotlights just to see if they worked...... i was doing 50 in a straight line, the main beam was on full and i tried the spotlights; they took longer than usual to come on and the engine lost all power completely (my foot was to the floor) - i then turned them off, and the engine regained power! To test this again, i pulled up and left the engine running, i turned everything off, and then turned on the spotlights... the engine cut out as the spotlights got brighter.

 

I jump started the car, got to where i needed to be, and 2 hours later, tried to start the car and the pellet gun noise happened again (flat battery).

 

Bump started it, the engine was fine, but same as above; all electrical were knackered and the lights were so dim that they barely lit up the road..

 

This car has had a new battery, + & - battery terminals, new alternator, new alternator belt .etc, new fusible link... all within a year of each other.

 

 

Please, does anyone have any ideas what the _____ is wrong with my car? XD

 

Thanks a lot (sorry its lengthy!)

[Howie1000]

I'm no expert but if that was my car I'd be checking all the wiring and connections leading to the alternator. I know you said you've had a new one in the last year, but everything is pointing to the alternator in my opinion. Hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge than me can shed some more light on it for you

[phil hill]

Back to basics...............

 

The thing you describe as a pellet gun noise is the starter solenoid trying to engage the starter motor, but due to a lack of available power to turn the starter motor it disengages.  Once disengaged there is enough power for the solenoid to try to engage again, and so the cycle repeats.

 

Forgive me but I am also going to assume that this is all new to you, and you are just learning about your lovely Mini !!  If you have a friend, parent or trusted garage to help you out I would suggest the following:

 

1. If you are not confident with the battery ask someone to check it for you - car batteries are dangerous, they store a large amount of electrical energy and the fluid inside is an acid which will burn you if spilt.  Even if the battery is relatively new it could have become damaged by repeatedly going flat.  

2. If the battery appears to be ok try to charge it up using a decent charger, preferably off the car in a well ventilated place like a garage or shed, for around 12 hours if possible. 

2. Check the battery terminals are secure, not broken or damaged and the cables are securely attached - no fraying or broken wire strands.

3. Pay particular attention to the negative terminal for the battery where it mounts on the floor.  Same thing - security, no damage, bolt to the boot floor is tight.

4. Check the engine to body earthing strap.  I'm not sure where it is on the later models but it was on the left hand side of the engine across the engine steady bar on earlier models.  The bolts should be tight, the strap should be secure, no damage or broken wires.  I often fit a better earthing cable between two other bolts as the standard location is less than ideal.

5. Check the thick brown wires on the starter motor are all ok.  This is where those fuseable links connect, but there will be others from the alternator and to the fuse box in the car.  Same thing, secure, undamaged, no broken strands poking out etc.

 

If all the above are ok, then I would suspect something else is amiss.  

 

Once you got the engine started the alternator should have been capable of running everything on the car - even with a flat battery.  It doesn't mean the the alternator is faulty but the symptoms you describe does point to the engine to body earth strap being insecure, broken or missing - or the alternator being unable to provide enough power to the rest of the car.  

 

If you are ever in Lincoln drop me a line and I'll have a look at it for you.

 

Phil.  

[David128]

A+1

[dyshipfakta]

Sounds like you have shorts too possibly I would atleast recommend a check of the wiring loom at joins and places where it can rub just to make sure you don't have any damaged wiring. It can be dangerous with fires etc particularly under the scuttle.

[KernowCooper]

First thing I would do is put a multimeter on the battery and take the revs above 2000+ rpm and look for a reading between 13.7 and 14.3v most are around 14v, if your not getting these readings then check the fan belt is correctly tensioned at 12mm deflection on the longest side. Check the 2 large browns for 12v+ at the alternator connection, if you have that voltage then it points to the alternator, if you dont have that voltage then see if your fuseable links are gone between alternator and starter solenoid.

[carbon]

Jordann - is there any sign of water getting into the car?

 

The late (mid 90's onwards) Minis have tendency for body corrosion at bottom of the windscreen, right under the wide windscreen rubber. If this happens water can get onto the radio and cause electrical problems.