9 replies to this topic

[juddclark]

Hey Guys, I have a 1994 Rover Mini 35 Edition. It lives in a Garage and makes it out every couple of weeks, I've been having some bother for a while now when starting it, New Battery fitted and New Altanator fitted in the last 12 months. If I leave the car for a day or more without starting it, the car turns two to three times and then you hear the power draining. Checking the battery before trying to start is reads 12V. When the car is running it reads 14.4V so I believe the Altanator is charging it? Once I've jumped it it starts everytime for the rest of the day but I'll go back the following day and I have the same issue. What could it be? I'm not very technical, still a lot to learn...

[phillrulz]

Thats a carb car form what i can see, have an alarm ? or any other mods on the car like radios ? sounds like something is draining your battery 

[cal844]

Get the battery load checked (what does the condition glass say).

Do a voltage drop check with the car off to see what circuits stay live to narrow down the issue.


I have had a brand new battery that's been sat on the shelf for 4 or 5 months be poor so it doesn't have enough power to crank a cold engine, send it back and get your supplier to request a freshly charged battery from the manufacturer.

Hope this helps

Cal

[Eds.mini.lulu]

My limited knowledge would point to an earth leak. Battery should read 12.65 fully charged.

I'm pretty sure I have one on mine but I'm still yet to find it.

If your car is garaged well worth getting a battery maintainer. This may help as well depending how much the car is used. Will keep the battery fresh for longer.

[juddclark]

Thanks Guys! Yeah it's a carb, nothing additional other than the standard rover head unit. Its either the battery or a drain. I'll get the battery changed over under warranty and see if that solves the issue, I'll get it checked first to see if its faulty/done. If I don't have any success, I'll give yous a shout.

[MatthewsDad]

12V battery is drained down.

[malynch27]

Stick a multimeter across all of the circuits to see if you have a current running when everything is turned off.  Electrical faults are a nightmare to trace but you will eventually.  Whoever you bought your battery from should be able to test it to see if it is still good.  Good luck

[bpirie1000]

Have you made sure the earth strap under the top engine support bracket under the master cylinders.

[Ethel]

I'm thinking it could just do with a good charge too.

 

Especially if it hasn't done much mileage since the battery was fitted. They used to be shipped dry once and needed filling & charging before selling. I can imagine Mini sized batteries could sit on a shelf for a while before being sold now, so I'd particularly suspect it if it was supplied in packaging.

 

Charge it for a full day and see how it goes. Disconnect a terminal if it's having another fortnight off and if you're back to square one make use of your warranty.

[juddclark]

Thanks Guys! Much better since the new Battery. Got a more expensive battery and it's made hell of a difference.