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electrics: short circuit?
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79253		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Dylans Clubby [ Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  electrics: short circuit?
So after a 12 month accidental hiatus, I'm back behind the wheel (had to store the mini at mum and dad's) and loving it! Gave it a bit of a freshen-up on Sunday and it's running like a dream!

BUT... Electrical gremlins have settled. Whenever I turn on indicators, wipers, washer jet, or the brake lights go on, the alt light comes on and my tacho dies. The radio still gets power, but it has its own fuse and a wire straight off the fusebox. None of my other electrics work, and there is a very dull glow coming from the alt light. (horn works)

I checked the fuses and they look fine, and same thing happens with different fuses. Do I have a short somewhere? Should I check the fusebox connections themselves?

Cheers guys, and it's good to be back :)
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
There's a few tips from a similar question asked a few days ago:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=79185
Author:  Dylans Clubby [ Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Awesome, I'll check it out, cheers!
Author:  Convertible Mini [ Wed Nov 21, 2012 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Alternator lamp.
Did you say the Alternator light glows when engine is running and ignition switched items are turned on?
That sounds like a Voltage drop in the ignition circuit. Could be caused by.... (1) Fan belt loose,
(2) Fuse connection corroded or bad ignition switch contact.
Check your ignition circuit with a volt meter and see where the voltage drop is happening starting at the starter solenoid Battery side.. But check belt first.
good luck.
Author:  ddk848 [ Wed Nov 21, 2012 4:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Might pay to check your battery terminal connections, plus the earth points where the battery earth cable bolts to the body and the earth strap on the engine. Also, if the car has been sitting for that long the battery may be on the way out - try swapping in a known good battery.

FWIW I had a semi-similar problem a few weeks ago in another car (non mini but still an old car) where my radio would die at idle, lights were dim, sometimes the car would go dead when I went to start it - it just turned out to be the battery earth cable was loose where it bolts onto the chassis.
Author:  Dylans Clubby [ Tue Nov 27, 2012 3:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
So I took a good look on the weekend, it was just the fuse in the bayonet behind the firewall... Forgot about that one! :roll:

EDIT: the fuse that came out had blue wire. never seen one of these. original?

Took the fuses out and replaced them with correct amperage new ones, and cleaned up the terminals as well. Will still check out the battery terminals and earth connection, but the battery is fine (good quality one purchased seven years ago and it's still going strong, even though it's gone flat a couple of times and has been connected while the car has been sitting for long periods, I'll definitely pay for a decent battery next time I need one! The one that came out wouldn't start the car, had something like 80 or 120 CCA, the new one started with 550!)
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