When welding on a car you must first disconnect the battery or you can fry the alternator.
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| Starting Problem https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26847 |
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| Author: | Razor [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Starting Problem |
I dont drive the mini much probably once a week or a forniight, anyway sometimes it starts after leaving it for a week or two but there are times I need to jump start it using a small jump starter. Yesterday I took the car to fix my exhaust leak and this morning they had problems starting the car and when I picked it up the battery is flat as well. Cranked it wont start sounds like the battery is very weak, took the jump starter and its still too weak, then after 3 or 4 tries its just a clicking noise. Tried jump starting it with cable using another car and same issue just clicking noise. So decided to push start the car and it started! I'm getting 13.22 V - 13.25 V when engine is on idle battery alone reads 12.6 V Do I need to install new alternator brushes? How do I test if starter solenoid needs replacing? How do I test if I need new/fix my starter motor? I'm buying new battery tomorrow. Thanks in advance |
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| Author: | Morris 1100 [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:44 pm ] |
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I know it sounds silly but did they weld the exhaust? |
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| Author: | buztoy [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:06 pm ] |
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yeah did you have to connect the battery leads back up, only other thing is it sounds like a dead battery cell, take it to an auto sparky it susprised me what they did with my old battery, |
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| Author: | Razor [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:08 pm ] |
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what do you mean? it was running fine when they finished the exhaust job and parked it in front of the shop. |
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| Author: | Morris 1100 [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:13 pm ] |
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When welding on a car you must first disconnect the battery or you can fry the alternator.
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| Author: | sports850 [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:18 pm ] |
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Try all the normal things as well , the earth points and as obvious as it is check that the earth strap from the inner guard to the flywheel housing is in good condition and onto bare metal on the guard . Also check the connectors on the big cable from the battery through to the starter solenoid as well as the battery to the earth in the boot and the battery terminals themselves . |
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| Author: | Razor [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:02 pm ] |
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the charge light is not on when I drive the car, but I've read the voltage reading should be around 13.5V but mine is only 13.22 - 13.25V on idle and when revved it goes up to 13.45V |
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| Author: | DTrain [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:31 pm ] |
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how long did you leave the jumper leads connected? sometimes if the battery is really flat you need to connect the jumpers and leave it for a minute or two (other car running) also, you should be getting 14v when running. |
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| Author: | Razor [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:50 pm ] |
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jumper leads maybe 5mins big jump starter just clicks as well. You sure its 14V? I thought its 14V at startup and as soon as the operating temp rises it falls to 13.5V - 13.8V but mine only reads 13.25V so that means my alternator is not doing quite well??? |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:10 pm ] |
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Alternators typically put out 13.8-14.3V. Yours is a bit low. Is the fan belt tight.... 
If yes you need another alternator probably, but check that battery first. |
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| Author: | Razor [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:15 pm ] |
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shouldnt the charge light on when driving? or dimming headlights? I dont get these stuff when driving the mini. Should I replace my starter solenoid as well? or how do I test it to see its working 100%? |
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| Author: | buztoy [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:22 pm ] |
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i dont wont to state the obvious but have you tried push start and let it charge it self and then check what sort of charge you get |
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| Author: | Razor [ Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:39 pm ] |
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its currently charging right now, plugged it in as soon as I got back from the exhaust place. I mentioned it on my 1st post, push started it from the exhaust place as jump starter didnt work which tells me that something was wrong with the starter motor. |
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| Author: | TheMiniMan [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:51 am ] |
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yeah, from all that`s been said here, it`s sounding more like a starter motor problem to me. but i`d still be checking all the earth straps first. i have starter motors here & earth straps & solinoids & whatever else you need Razor, no scratching your head at my place hey? bring it around, i`ll diagnose it properly & we can fix her up for you easy-peasy |
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| Author: | Razor [ Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:37 pm ] |
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I charged the battery overnight and tried starting it this morning and it was still weak so did not start even with a jump starter, just slow cranking. So got my new Exide Evolution 550 CCA $124 from Big W and the car started I'm getting 13.65 V on idle which means that the alternator is working normally right? Lets see if she will start tomorrow or after a few days. I also made a new -ve 4G cable, is that sufficient enough? also I wanted to put more earth strap from the -ve terminal as I got one of those bling gold plated ones with extra holes on them, where can I attach another cable in the boot area? Also how long is the power/positive cable from battery to the solenoid? Cheers ps Matt, I'll let you know if I still have the problem in a few days then I'll give you a call and you can scratch my head. |
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