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

I know it sounds silly but did they weld the exhaust?

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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any parts for a 76 clubby pm me or ring 0405 329 326

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44717

what do you mean?

it was running fine when they finished the exhaust job and parked it in front of the shop.

When welding on a car you must first disconnect the battery or you can fry the alternator.

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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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

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.

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???

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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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

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%?

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

_________________
any parts for a 76 clubby pm me or ring 0405 329 326

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44717

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.

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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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

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.