Welcome to the Irish Mini Owners Club Forum. Keep an eye out of on coming events!!!!

Odd Altenator Problem

General MINI related posts. Open to all, registration required

Moderators: spud1979, The Marcos Graveyard, Moderators

Post Reply
kona
NON Member
Posts: 587
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:12 pm
Contact:

Odd Altenator Problem

Post by kona »

Im having a Intermittant altenator failure (more off than on), when its working its throwing out just under 15V and when its not working its around the 12V mark.
What makes it interesting, I have a voltmeter in the car and can see this happening and sometimes the battery light is off when its making only 12V, other times its on. I have swapped it with the oil warning light and its the same issue. The lights all come on when the ignition is set to on, then go off when the engine is running, then the battery light comes on.

The alternator will always give 15V when I have the battery fully charged via a trickle charger, then after maybe 10mins driving the voltmeter drops and the light comes on.

Its doing my nut in, I took the alternator off the other day and took it apart, the commutator was corroded so i took the rust off, I couldnt see anything else obviousl wrong.

The little wire of the 3 in the multiplug, I understand gives the altenator a voltage signal from the battery, this reads around 12V with the car not running, drops to 7 with the engine on. I presume the other two energise the field windings and carry the power out. Im totally lost with this problem. I suspect the alternator but the fact its a intermittant fault, is making me wonder if its a voltage reg or a wiring/earth issue.


User avatar
Merlin
NON Member
Posts: 491
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:05 pm
What Minis have you?: Mk1 Austin Mini,Mk3 Layland Mini,72Van,81 Clubman Estate, 87 Race carand a 2000 Rover Cooper.
Modifications: Mk1: 998 with flat top slipper pistons, 286 cam, 12G940 head 11:1 compression twin inch and a half SU's 5 speed gearbox. Mk3 998 automatic no mods, 72Van is a pile of rust, , Racer is being built but has the works and the 2000 rover cooper needs an engine again :(
Location: Dublin
Contact:

Re: Odd Altenator Problem

Post by Merlin »

The reg is bust Kona you can get them for about 15 bob and just replace it
Rgd
Paul
kona
NON Member
Posts: 587
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:12 pm
Contact:

Re: Odd Altenator Problem

Post by kona »

I cant find the reg tho! Theres so much changed on the car Ive no Idea what the story is, I read its actually part of the circuit on the back of the clocks?

Its a 1991 cooper but the clocks defo aint what came with the car. I presusme I could buy a random one and just install it?
User avatar
Merlin
NON Member
Posts: 491
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:05 pm
What Minis have you?: Mk1 Austin Mini,Mk3 Layland Mini,72Van,81 Clubman Estate, 87 Race carand a 2000 Rover Cooper.
Modifications: Mk1: 998 with flat top slipper pistons, 286 cam, 12G940 head 11:1 compression twin inch and a half SU's 5 speed gearbox. Mk3 998 automatic no mods, 72Van is a pile of rust, , Racer is being built but has the works and the 2000 rover cooper needs an engine again :(
Location: Dublin
Contact:

Re: Odd Altenator Problem

Post by Merlin »

Nope is the reg in the Alt that's gone noth the voltage reg for the clocks.
You would need to dissamble the all to find it
kona
NON Member
Posts: 587
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:12 pm
Contact:

Re: Odd Altenator Problem

Post by kona »

Think I know the part, is it a little 2x2" box beside where the multiplug goes. You see it when you take off the plastic lucas cover? If thats it, mine is a " lil" corroded.

Thanks Paul I'll Get the part for next week :)
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests