MPI Electrics

[Mini Ha Ha]

WE have a 1999 MPI and are in trouble with the battery not keeping fully charged.

The car has 13 inch Sportpack wheels, and the boot is so full of spare wheel that you can only fit in a relatively small sized battery. We got the car 2 years ago and had this trouble, fitted new battery.

Still ongoing issue, battery seems to run down over a period of weeks same as the original battery. Need to get a jump start, charge battery from mains, then off we go again.

Had the alternator checked, told its OK to spec, and fan belt OK

MPI very high geared, so half thought not being revved enough in city traffic, but drove to Newry last weekend, and needed jump leads to start after a short stop.

Is there an issue with the immobilisers running down the battery when the car is parked up, or a special HD battery for Sportpack cars.

If all comes to all I will try a bigger battery and carry a steel spare wheel

If anyone out there has experianced this or has any ideas I would be glad to know

Thanks

Mini Ha Ha

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Sounds as though you have a duff battery tbh.

[zakgt]

I have a 1997 MPI - no real trouble with the battery. Yes, if I didn't run it for a 2/3 weeks it would need a jump, but no restarting problems once it got a bit of a run. The trip to Newry would be plenty.

If you have had the alternator disconnected, be sure the wires are tightly reconnected. You couldn't do it with a spanner as you would need a narrow No.8 socket, maybe

[jocelynn]

hi
paul from minifix

the earth strap is broken or it needs a second earth from the engine to the body
how good is the battery

[Mini Ha Ha]

Thanks everyone

I will try try tightening the leads and check the earth straps as changing the battery did not help

Mini Ha Ha

[keith]

put a meter accross the battery when charging.. you should be seeing 13.5v *at least*

[Mini Ha Ha]

Joeclynn was right, it needed an extra earth strap between engone and earth

Thanks for all the ideas and help

Mini Ha Ha