4 replies to this topic

[WayneMagee]

Hi Guys, I have a 1976 leyland clubman, 1100cc. Its a daily driver. Im hoping someone can give me a few ideas and tips on how to fix my issue.

Im having an issue with my battery dying every couple of weeks, since getting the car its been an issue, and ive tried multiple things to sort it out. First I changed the battery to a newer battery, then changed the ground cable to the battery, changed the positive cable from the battery to the solenoid. Changed the solenoid. And ive had two new Alternators put in this year. Changed the earth strap on the motor, and also added a second earth strap. What seems to be happening is when I put in the new Alternator, everything was working, and the battery was charging. After a couple of weeks it died and when I tested the Alternator is wasn't generating a charge, and the car was running completely off my battery (so while the car is running, I disconnect the battery and the car dies). Then I changed the Alternator and same thing happened after a couple of weeks. Ive been told that there could be a short in my wiring harness, and I should look at installing a new wiring harness. 

Is there something else I could look for before changing the wiring harness, or do you guys agree that it could be the issue. Currently the only electrical items in the car is just the standard stuff, so headlights, taillights, windscreen motor, and ignition system.

 

Im very new to cars, so if you have any ideas please reply as if you speaking to someone that knows very little about cars.

 

Thanks

[sonscar]

Does the red ignition lamp light up when you turn on the key before starting the motor?If so does it go out when running?Steve..

[Spider]

I'm inclined to say if there was a short in your harness that is causing this, you'd know about it in a big way, at the very least, you'd see or smell smoke.

 

With the engine running, check the Voltage at either the Starter Solenoid on the Battery Cable, or at the Battery itself. Idling you should see around 13 volts or more, and with the revs increased a little around 13.5 or more volts.

As Steve alluded too,check the Ignition Lamp. On your dash, in the cluster with the fuel and temp gauges there's 2 lights towards the bottom, one is orange, the other is red. Turn the key to the run position, but don't start the engine. These lamps should come on, in this case, in particular, the red one. Then start it and perhaps give it a bit of a rev, and both should go out. With some Alternators, if that Red Lamp doesn't work, then the Alternator won't charge.

Check the condition and tightness of all the Brown Wires on the Starter Solenoid, use caution though if tightening any of these, probably best to disconnect the Earth off the battery first. Check also the fat Brown Wire to on the Alternator that it too is tight.

Check as well that the Fan Belt is tight !

[Clip]

Yes, as Spider and Steve mentioned, check the charge light in your dash. Does the red one come on? Also have you or someone else changed the dash light bulbs to LEDs? I changed all my warning bulbs to LEDs and my alternator stopped charging. In some minis the alternator needs the small load from a standard dash light bulb to trigger it into charging. This was my problem and swapping the LED back to standard bulb solved the issue. Unfortunately I can’t remember if the LED bulb went out or stayed on after starting. 

[bpirie1000]

Is this a separate inner wing mounted solenoid or a piggy back on the starter?