Jump to content
  • Welcome to 205GTIDrivers.com!

    Hello dear visitor! Feel free to browse but we invite you to register completely free of charge in order to enjoy the full functionality of the website.

Sign in to follow this  
dobboy

Electrical Prob (Mini)

Recommended Posts

dobboy

My GF's just returned home in Mini2, she had called me from the motorway saying dash is like a disco, and lost power steering, but she nursed it home.

 

I put code reader on and it said low voltage.

 

Car won't start, click, click, click. But I can hear fuel pump prime, and everything appears normal.

 

Put MM on battery terminals and it's 9.3V

 

She's now away in my car so can't put jump leads on.

 

Aux belt still on it.

 

Does this sound like the alternator has given in?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dcc

Sounds like battery or alt, jump start it and read voltage

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

Cheers, must be alt as battery is fairly new. Was going to do as you say ????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

Car jumped no probs, with leads on and bothered running 12.6v at the terminals.

 

Disconnected my car, the voltage on Mini2's terminals dropped immediately to 11.5v and was then steadily dropping 0.1v every few seconds, and batt light on on dash.

 

Defineately alternator?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
pugdamo

Sounds like it, another check to do would be to check the voltage straight out the back of the alternator on the large cable with it running, would rule out any wiring faults.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
welshpug

did you give it a rev? could be the trigger circuit not working, but uf nothing then I would suspect the alternator.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Tom Fenton

Only thing I can really add to the above. Even though the battery is recent don't automatically assume its good. They can and do crap out. Disconnect it and give it a charge up for a few hours. Then remove the charger and let it stabilise for an hour or so, then measure the voltage with a meter. Leave it 6 hours and measure again. If its any good your readings should be more or less identical.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

Will do Tom, but really can't see it being battery as it all happened mid journey.

 

I've ordered a 2nd hand alternator anyway, cheap enough at £33 delivered, might be a bit awkward to fit it if needs it right enough. Something to look forward to!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

did you give it a rev? could be the trigger circuit not working, but uf nothing then I would suspect the alternator.

Nope, never rev'd it. I'm confident it'll be the alt. :unsure:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
welshpug

doh, typically giving it a rev will make it start charging when the excitor circuit isn't working, which would suggest its not the alternator but a wiring fault.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

Replacement alternator arrived last night but it's been damaged in transit, fair play to the seller who refunded in full right away.

 

1198eoi.jpg

 

Think I'll try swap over the end casing from the other on to this one, unless anyone can think of a way to repair it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
welshpug

I'd take your original one to be tested/repaired, I had the OEM valeo unit on my BMW fixed for £35 recently, a direct replacement would have been £190!

 

swapping casings is often not straightforward depending on construction of the unit, you may have to do some cutting and soldering!

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTDErideqzqIZgWYgK-TMkQ

 

several very useful videos from this channel, if it wasn't my Daily I would have had a go at doing my alternator myself, got a few S16 units I'm going to have a go with :D

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
steve@cornwall

May be easy enough to swap the brushes from one alt to the other. They are a consumable item and worth a try

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

Took the alternator off it yesterday, it was buried and the only way to get to it is by stripping the front end off. Not as bad as it looks but could think of better things to be doing.

erloo3.jpg

Took the alternator to a local place this morning and they called me back after testing it and it had indeed failed.

Collecting it tomorrow....80 buckin quid :angry: .... a brand new one's only £110.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
welshpug

ooft, diode pack as well as brushes slip ring and labour at a guess.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

ooft, diode pack as well as brushes slip ring and labour at a guess.

The mechanic who put me on to the place said I'd be £70 no matter what it needed..... he said 70's the new 40 ????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

Job done and all is well. They had even painted it (to justify the money!)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dcc

Always nice having good quality work :)

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Tom Fenton

While you are there check the plastic intake pipe between throttle and supercharger for cracking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dobboy

While you are there check the plastic intake pipe between throttle and supercharger for cracking.

Too late, i'm too efficient! :D I fitted and buttoned it up last night, mostly in torrential rain.

 

Never heard of any probs with cracking pipes and it idles spot on. If anything I probably should have serviced the charger oil while the front was off the car, but it's quick enough to strip/get at having done it a few times now.

 

Only one incident where a long 8mm socket fell off ratchet and landed somewhere at front of engine never to be seen again (I thought), but brought car to work this morn to make sure it's ok and heard a clunk at the first roundabout, I stopped and found it lying on the road.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Tom Fenton

They do crack, I've changed one on the wifes cooper S.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×