OK, I've recently been having problems with my battery going flat (I posted a topic about this a while ago: ). I've got a 1978 1L clubman.

If you know where a good autoelectrician who knows minis is around hobart area, and don't want to know details, don't read on but please tell me.

I've just replaced the alternator and found that this (hopefully) was not the problem. The battery stays at the same voltage for any engine speed.

I say hopefully because I initially connected the additional lead (on the high amperage alternator) to the wrong side of the starter solenoid, whish meant that current was running through the alternator to the starter (don't do this - trust me). I only tapped the battery for half a second, and the battery isn't strong enough to turn over the engine anyway.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be the problem? It's wired in correctly now, but when the ignition is set to acc, both the left and right lights are on, and once the car is running, the light on the left stays on. It did this before I replaced the alternator.

I don't actually know which light is which, since I don't have the owners manual...

Thanks in advance.

Red light is alternator
Orange light is oil pressure

You have most likley fried the rectifer in the alternator or the diode pack. if you have wired it wrong.

What brand is the alternator. If ts say a Lucas on then most definatley a rectifer pack, they are made of melted cheese..

Check if the battery is geting say 13+ volts at the battery end with the reving at 2000 rpm

If its the orange light that is on TURN OFF the engine ASAP as its an oil pressure problem

If the battery is buggered it may not be talking a charge, get this checked with a load tester at a battery shop

Hope this helps

Kiwiinwgtn