11 replies to this topic

[minimissions]

Hi all I have a 72 Clubman, which I have previously had issues with charging with. After replacing the volt regulator and the dynamo and making sure things were plugged in properly we finally got the battery light to go out. We have then done about 12 miles in the car when the battery light comes back on the volt gauges now starts to read not charging again, this light flickers out over 50mph but then comes back on again.

 

Has anyone got any ideas on what could have gone now, we have checked connections and all obvious stuff but it seems we are back to square one

[Compdoc]

When I split open the loom on my '85 Mayfair it was a mass of corroded connections, factory splices and added in wiring of all sorts. I decided to scrap the whole lot and start again. If you have replaced the dynamo and voltage regulator, there's not much else other than the wires and more importantly, their connections. If you pull it apart and find nothing, I would seriously consider fitting an alternator.

If you're worried about keeping it looking original you can get an alternator that looks like a dynamo and a dummy regulator box. The dynalite ones at Mini Spares are around £500 but CBS sell them for around £145 although I can't vouch for the build quality. https://www.carbuild...58aAvIUEALw_wcB

Personally, I think alternators are in the realms of disc brakes, every classic car should have them!

[MiniLuke]

Has the belt loosened?

[hunterg30]

If it's got the old dynamo on I would convert it to an alternator. Unless you are keeping it original. The black control box near the bulkhead can cause charging issues.

[floormanager]

I changed my voltage regulator for an electonic unit.  I fitted it under the old control box so it looks original.  A steady 14 volts on my dynamo now and I've never looked back!  Worth the £70 and the time to convert the old regulator.

 

Here's a link

http://www.dynamoreg...rs.com/dvr3.php

Edited by floormanager, 06 May 2019 - 07:50 PM.

[carbon]

Hi all I have a 72 Clubman, which I have previously had issues with charging with. After replacing the volt regulator and the dynamo and making sure things were plugged in properly we finally got the battery light to go out. We have then done about 12 miles in the car when the battery light comes back on the volt gauges now starts to read not charging again, this light flickers out over 50mph but then comes back on again.

 

Has anyone got any ideas on what could have gone now, we have checked connections and all obvious stuff but it seems we are back to square one

I had very similar problems with dynamo not charging on my '71 Mk3. After trying replacement dynamo and voltage regulators and getting nowhere fast I decided to change out the whole wiring loom with replacement from Minispares, as several of the wires to the regulator were fraying at the ends and showing too much bare wire for my liking.

 

The difference with the new loom fitted was transformational. As well as charging properly again all of the electrics are now working just as they should, the lights don't go dim at tickover and the indicators are regular as clockwork.

 

It's a bit of effort to change the loom, but not deadly. With the Clubbie version you may also have to contend with the circuit board connections on the back of the instrument cluster, which I have heard can get brittle with age. If your loom is in very good condition it may be worth checking this out before going down the loom replacement route.

[minimissions]

Has the belt loosened?

No seems nice and tight and is new..

[minimissions]

If it's got the old dynamo on I would convert it to an alternator. Unless you are keeping it original. The black control box near the bulkhead can cause charging issues.

No it has a new volt reg box and dynamo everything was ok for about 12 miles..

[minimissions]

 

Hi all I have a 72 Clubman, which I have previously had issues with charging with. After replacing the volt regulator and the dynamo and making sure things were plugged in properly we finally got the battery light to go out. We have then done about 12 miles in the car when the battery light comes back on the volt gauges now starts to read not charging again, this light flickers out over 50mph but then comes back on again.

 

Has anyone got any ideas on what could have gone now, we have checked connections and all obvious stuff but it seems we are back to square one

I had very similar problems with dynamo not charging on my '71 Mk3. After trying replacement dynamo and voltage regulators and getting nowhere fast I decided to change out the whole wiring loom with replacement from Minispares, as several of the wires to the regulator were fraying at the ends and showing too much bare wire for my liking.

 

The difference with the new loom fitted was transformational. As well as charging properly again all of the electrics are now working just as they should, the lights don't go dim at tickover and the indicators are regular as clockwork.

 

It's a bit of effort to change the loom, but not deadly. With the Clubbie version you may also have to contend with the circuit board connections on the back of the instrument cluster, which I have heard can get brittle with age. If your loom is in very good condition it may be worth checking this out before going down the loom replacement route.

 

Thank you I have been looking at the connections as that was my first point of call, I will continue to look at it but yes i think the car will need a new loom at some point as a good few things have been added in etc.

 

Thanks for all your responses.

[floormanager]

 

If it's got the old dynamo on I would convert it to an alternator. Unless you are keeping it original. The black control box near the bulkhead can cause charging issues.

No it has a new volt reg box and dynamo everything was ok for about 12 miles..

 

The new control boxes are dreadful.  They are made cheaply in India (the one I got).  I had one and could not get a charge, hence the change to an electronic one.

[minimissions]

 

 

If it's got the old dynamo on I would convert it to an alternator. Unless you are keeping it original. The black control box near the bulkhead can cause charging issues.

No it has a new volt reg box and dynamo everything was ok for about 12 miles..

 

The new control boxes are dreadful.  They are made cheaply in India (the one I got).  I had one and could not get a charge, hence the change to an electronic one.

 

haha thanks yeah I have heard the same thing to, I hope to get some time at the weekend to have another look at it

[minimissions]

Well tried the swapping the battery to rule an easy option out, still no joy!