22 replies to this topic

[nicklouse]

The purple which is permanent live, I thought of either leaving unconnected. Or read into adding it into the unused terminal on the alternator which is as i understand "battery sense". 
 
I also can't find the purple wire on any diagram.

Where is it going to on the car? That will tell us what it is.

[minisilverbullet]

 

The purple which is permanent live, I thought of either leaving unconnected. Or read into adding it into the unused terminal on the alternator which is as i understand "battery sense". 
 
I also can't find the purple wire on any diagram.

Where is it going to on the car? That will tell us what it is.

 

it is a permanent live feed. I will need to cut into the loom to trace it, but I reckon it runs to starter solenoid. 

[nicklouse]

Well you would not need to cut into the harness you could do a continuity check with power disconnected.

So we have the charge circuit and the sencing circuit (purple wire) identified. But you may have it connected to the wrong terminal.

Then we have the warning lamp circuit which on the mini is also live.
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[minisilverbullet]

Well you would not need to cut into the harness you could do a continuity check with power disconnected.

So we have the charge circuit and the sencing circuit (purple wire) identified. But you may have it connected to the wrong terminal.

Then we have the warning lamp circuit which on the mini is also live.
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Ah yes of course a continuity check. 

 

As I understand the lamp circuit wire to the alternator is 12v switched and earths on the alternator. 

[nicklouse]

So the other bit if the diagram
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[tiger99]

Don't use the purple as battery sense. It is permanently live but fused. If one of the circuits it feeds shorts and blows the fuse the alternator will lose its voltage feedback and a massive overvoltage and major damage may follow.

The best place to connect the sense wire is direct to the battery positive via an online fuse of maybe 5 amps. Put nothing else on that circuit. Second best is do the same at the main battery terminal of the solenoid where the brown wires are already connected. But always keep the wire between battery and your new fuse as short and well - protected as possible, which goes for the main battery cable and the browns too. Any of these shorting can cause a fire or overheat the battery, which will spray acid everywhere.

[minisilverbullet]

Getting there, but I am struggling a little to understand the wiring and its function. 

 

I thought I would just make the purple cable redundant. 

 

I have the lamp wire fixed. 

 

But the iGN wire I thought I would take from a switched ignition source. I thought the trigger from the starter solenoid  would be ideal, being close etc. But is this a ignition source? 

 

I thought it was but my multi meter tells me otherwise. or is this only live when you actually try to start the car? 

 

Edit: I meant starter solenoid not coil. 

[tiger99]

Yes, the trigger to the starter solenoid is only live while you turn the key. The wires which are live when the ignition is on are all white and are accessible at the fuse box, as the green circuit comes from white via one of the fuses.