23 replies to this topic

[inyk]

Have now checked the ignition light - it comes on and goes off as it should... I thought this was going to be it - but alas no. I guess the next stop will be the auto electrician...!

[Wirral73]

Hi,

Experiencing the same problem.
Replacement alternator but no joy.
My ignition light comes on but stays on and doesn't go off.
The battery needle never comes out the red.

Driving a Rover MINI 2 DOOR SALOON (1999 Reg) 1275 Petrol Manual Doors. It's an MPI.

Any help will be very welcome!

Currently swapping between 2 batteries constantly.... So much fun!

[robtheplod]

fit a new earth lead from the alternator casing (on one of the mounting bolts etc) to the chassis of the car - my earth lead looked fine, but this sorted it for me - i had exactly the same problems...

[digitalfriction]

Hi,

Experiencing the same problem.
Replacement alternator but no joy.
My ignition light comes on but stays on and doesn't go off.
The battery needle never comes out the red.

Driving a Rover MINI 2 DOOR SALOON (1999 Reg) 1275 Petrol Manual Doors. It's an MPI.

Any help will be very welcome!

Currently swapping between 2 batteries constantly.... So much fun!

Firstly, need to confirm if the alternator is actually trying to charge. Using a multimeter, set the meter to DC volts, on a scale large enough to see 14v. With the ignition off, place the red wire on the + battery terminal, and the black wire on the - battery terminal, and tell us what the reading on the multimeter is.

Next, start the engine, and do the same. Report both figures back on the forum.

If your alternator is charging, then you probably have a higher draw (too much electrical stuff on) than your alternator can compensate for, or you have a voltage loss (like a light in the boot that never goes off !)

If the alternator is not charging, you have a faulty componant (battery, alternator etc) or a wiring fault.

Only the test will tell !

[Wirral73]

Hi,

Experiencing the same problem.
Replacement alternator but no joy.
My ignition light comes on but stays on and doesn't go off.
The battery needle never comes out the red.

Driving a Rover MINI 2 DOOR SALOON (1999 Reg) 1275 Petrol Manual Doors. It's an MPI.

Any help will be very welcome!

Currently swapping between 2 batteries constantly.... So much fun!

Firstly, need to confirm if the alternator is actually trying to charge. Using a multimeter, set the meter to DC volts, on a scale large enough to see 14v. With the ignition off, place the red wire on the + battery terminal, and the black wire on the - battery terminal, and tell us what the reading on the multimeter is.




Next, start the engine, and do the same. Report both figures back on the forum.

If your alternator is charging, then you probably have a higher draw (too much electrical stuff on) than your alternator can compensate for, or you have a voltage loss (like a light in the boot that never goes off !)

If the alternator is not charging, you have a faulty componant (battery, alternator etc) or a wiring fault.

Only the test will tell !

With the engine off it is showing as 12.04v and with the engine runiing it drops to 11.28v.

[digitalfriction]

Hi,

Experiencing the same problem.
Replacement alternator but no joy.
My ignition light comes on but stays on and doesn't go off.
The battery needle never comes out the red.

Driving a Rover MINI 2 DOOR SALOON (1999 Reg) 1275 Petrol Manual Doors. It's an MPI.

Any help will be very welcome!

Currently swapping between 2 batteries constantly.... So much fun!

Firstly, need to confirm if the alternator is actually trying to charge. Using a multimeter, set the meter to DC volts, on a scale large enough to see 14v. With the ignition off, place the red wire on the + battery terminal, and the black wire on the - battery terminal, and tell us what the reading on the multimeter is.




Next, start the engine, and do the same. Report both figures back on the forum.

If your alternator is charging, then you probably have a higher draw (too much electrical stuff on) than your alternator can compensate for, or you have a voltage loss (like a light in the boot that never goes off !)

If the alternator is not charging, you have a faulty componant (battery, alternator etc) or a wiring fault.

Only the test will tell !

With the engine off it is showing as 12.04v and with the engine runiing it drops to 11.28v.

right well that basically means the alternator is not charging, I dont know how much difference there is in the injection engines, as I have only worked on carb variants, but as far as I know you will need to check the following:

1) Battery condition - take it out, go to halfrauds or similar and get a free battery check
2) Alternator belt - is it there? Is it turning with the engine running? Is it tight enough?
3) Fuses - make sure nothing is blown !
4) Wiring - you will need a wiring diagram from the back of the haynes manual, and wit your multimeter you will need to test continuity, or resistance, of the wires at various points, you are trying to find a break in the wiring somewhere
5) Earth - replace the earth strap, and make sure the contact points are a good connection to metal (although I would expect running problems if the earth was naff)
6) Alternator - if everything else is ok, you will have to assume the alternator is at fault, swap with a known working one (beg, steal and borrow)!

[liirge]

I would say if the Alternator has been replaced the fan belt was either forgotten about or not Tightened enough, or the securing bolts not tightened enough causing the alternator to move and the belt to become slack.

[adam_mini]

I am having a similar issue to the ones discussed. My battery is not charging and the charge light stays on when running.

I've checked the wiring to the alternator and it's all fine, i have also changed the alternator twice with new ones and still no charge. (unless the new alternators are faulty).
The battery shows 12.2 volts when the car is off and a little less when running which suggests its not charging.
I'm not an electrician but can it be anything to do with the warning lamp earthing its body or something?
I have recently converted back to centre clocks but it was working fine for about 2 or 3 miles until the light came on after the conversion, duno if this is related?

Any suggestions?
Thanks

[russo]

Yeah, I had the same problem as I fitted an LED for the ignition light and wondered why the alternator would not charge. I had to also fit a basic bulb type light to get the alternator to charge.