10 replies to this topic

[SparkyMark]

Hi y'all,

I'm having a problem with my '96 Sprite 1275.

The battery died a few weeks ago and after charging it back up it ran ok for a week before dying again. Thought it might just be an old battery so bought a new one. It ran fine for a week or two but when I came back from my holidays it was kaput. (My journeys are generally just a 10 minute commute each day and lately its been lights, wipers and heating all the way).

The brake fluid warning light is constantly on but the brake fluid is fine. The light goes off if I pull the bonnet release or jiggle the electrical cables running alongside the bonnet release cable. I figured that the wee light wouldn't be chewing up that much power but starting to think it is but a symptom of a larger problem.

I'm a software engineer (thus, unsurprisingly, I have as much understanding of electrics as your typical cro-magnon) but I've been told this may be an earthing problem. Does this sound about right? Is there anything I should look for or other things I should check.

Should I take it into a garage or is it likely I could sort it myself?
If garage is a likely choice, can anyone recommend one (or warn about dodgy ones) in the farnborough area?

Apologies for the multitude of questions, please ignore as applicable
Any wisdom gratefully received.
Cheers,

Sparky

Edited by SparkyMark, 07 December 2006 - 01:00 AM.

[fikus01]

could be a dodgy alternator!! with the engine running measure the voltage across the battery terminals!! if its around the 13.65v mark its ok!! any lower and alternator could be up the creek!

same could be said for the battery tho!! mite not be holding the charge very well!! or as you say an earthing problem!!

either way you'll need a multimeter before you can test anything!

Edited by fikus01, 07 December 2006 - 01:04 AM.

[Bounce]

I think the brake fluid light is another problem. have a good look along the loom you were talking about, youll probably spot something.

It sounds to me like your alternator is packing up. if you have a volt meter handy (only around £5-£10) measure the voltage across the battery with the engine off and again with it running

Engine off = 12v

Engine running = 13-14v

[SparkyMark]

Thanks for that. Off to voltmeters-r-us tomorrow then.

Jump started the mini after it packed in first time and while driving along the wipers and lights would speed up/shine brighter when accelerating. Would this indicate an ok alternator or would it indicate diddly-squat?

Edited by SparkyMark, 07 December 2006 - 01:20 AM.

[JD8891]

i read somewhere it takes 20mins of the engine running to put back what it takes out to start the engine and with the heaters and lights and wipers working it might be the batt isnt getting charged enough, if this is the case an uprated alternator should help as the batt will get charged quicker but try what the others said first, it is cheaper than changin bits u dont need to change

[miniboo]

could be a loose fan belt.

[SparkyMark]

hmmmm, I'll have a look after work and give an update.

Deep wintery joy.

[Jimmyarm]

When you get your multimeter and find out the alternator is ok, do an ampage test with everything turned off (key out) and see what the draw is on the battery.

Should be under 100milli amps, I reckon you will find it considerably above that which indicates their is a short somewhere draining the battery power whilst its sat, which would be exagerated by the short trips you do.

[overboost]

Had a similar problem with mine, turned out to be a worn belt. New fanbelt fitted (after testing alternator and checking wires) it was fine...

[SparkyMark]

Ok,

After chatting to my housemate I realised that my memory of events was not correct (changes in bold). Amazing what a weeks holiday in Barcelona does to to the mind.

Hopefully this will shed some light on the problems...

Hi y'all,

I'm having a problem with my '96 Sprite 1275.

The battery died a few weeks ago and after charging it back up it ran ok for a week before dying again. Thought it might just be an old battery so bought a new one. It ran fine for a few days but after picking my girlfriend up and driving 10mins to a petrol station, the mini wouldn't start. I had to get it jump started in the forecourt. It had started ok ten minutes earlier and 20 mins before that. (My journeys are generally just a 10 minute commute each day and lately its been lights, wipers and heating all the way).

The brake fluid warning light is constantly on but the brake fluid is fine. The light goes off if I pull the bonnet release or jiggle the electrical cables running alongside the bonnet release cable. I figured that the wee light wouldn't be chewing up that much power but starting to think it is but a symptom of a larger problem.

...<snipped>...

I borrowed a voltmeter of a mate and got the following measuring the voltage across the battery:
Engine off = 6v (I think. Something v low anyway, which I guess indicates drained battery)
Engine running = 13.05v

So it seems the alternator is fine.
A friend who's owned a couple of minis speculated it could be a problem with the starter and that the new battery had enough grunt to overcome the problem initially.

Any more thoughts?

[minislapper]

When you say 'wouldn't start'. Do you mean it tries to start but sounds like it's struggling? Or is there nothing at all there when you try to start it?

If you turn the key and it sounds like it's trying to start but very slowly, that could indicate an earth fault.

The colder weather means starting takes extra effort. If you're driving short distances with lots of things switched on, it may just be that everything together means it's not charging enough.

You could try fitting another earth strap to eliminate that as being the problem. As already suggested, check your fan belt. Start with the cheaper and obvious things first then move onto trying the more expensive options!

Does it have an alarm or immobiliser fitted? Is there anything else which could be draining the battery? Is the interior light off, does the stereo go off when the ignition is turned off etc etc etc?