Tried to start the car with jump leads today, but would not start, battery has white powdery deposit on negative terminal though - time for a new battery I presume or is this caused by something else ?

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1977 Clubman

depenmds how mcuh powder man. the connectiosn shoudl all be clean adn a tight fit, but i thoguht i ahd a problem with my abttery adn in the end it was a dead short in the starter motor

Do you have lights? does your lights dim when you turn her over? does she turn?

If all of the above then it's a dead battery

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

how can I check what is the problem ?

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1977 Clubman

1) when you turn the key, does the engine try to start? (turns over) If yes then it's not the starter motor. If it's just clicks and nothing happens go to 2
2) Do you have lights? if you have lights then the battery has "some" charge. Go to 3
3) When you turn the key and your lights are on, do the lights dim? If no then it's probably something to do with the starter. Check your earth strap, fuses, fuse box connections and ever other wire that hooks up to the starter/starter solenoid etc.

If you don't have lights, the battery is probably dead or you have a blown fuse. If you have lights and she tries to turn over then your battery needs a recharge. If you have lights and it clicks only and your lights don't go dim and all the fuses are good, wires are good, then it's probably time for a new starter motor.

With me so far?

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

You sure it's the battery? has it been raining lately where you are? Is the dissy flooded?

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

No lights or nothing except the immobiliser kicks in now and then ?

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1977 Clubman

White powdery deposit no good Kemo Sabe!!

Clean up battery terminals with wire brush thingamummy......boiling water with baking soda good solution to clean and nuetralise white powdery deposits.....

Liberaly coat terminals with silicon grease or vaseline once tightened...

with a mighty....Hi Ho Silver!! away!!

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"Show me the Mini!"

No nothing wet. but stiil confused about the white stuff on the neg of the battery, is it shorting out or something ?

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1977 Clubman

Your not getting a good connection, therefore there is enough power to run your light's for a bit or whatever, but as soon and you try and start it, the starter motor requires a huge amount of voltage and it just ain't getting through.

Clean your terminals and you clamps. Take the battery out, dip the clamps in some boiling water with baking soda for a few minutes as was suggested and clean the terminals, smear some vaseline to stop it happening in the future..

I think there is more to your problem than that. But it's a start.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

OK, clean the terminals with a wire brush as suggested above. Hmm baking soda... interesting...

Get them spotless then when you put the battery back in make sure the terminals are on TIGHT. then give it a go. If still no juice then you need a battery recharger or a new one.

Check your fuses first, make sure they aren't blown.

PS. If buying a new battery, buy the biggest Cold Crank Amps battery you can fit into the battery box 400CCA if you can manage it. The Doc swears by it...

Goodnight and goodluck!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Was just looking for a thread earlier with the same info. Mines doing a similar thing. My battery's fine, alternator's fine, it has half an attempt at turning over, then all I get is 'clicking'. So I know there is power somewhere.

Hope I'm not hyjacking your thread Was just frustrated as I am having a similar problem. I will try to be more helpful in the future

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Your either not getting enough power to the starter, you can measure with a multimeter at the solenoid.

You have a short with an earth, check the connection in the boot and the one from the block to the body, clean up their if neccessary..

You battery terminals are dirty

Or your battery is screwed...

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

yeah will do all of the above checks tommorow and try again. Thanks guys

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1977 Clubman

Sometimes if you are just getting a clicking noise you starter motor may be stuck half way out! Either remove the starter motor and refit it. Rock the car side to side to get it to disengage, or give it a few light taps with a hammer, and see what happens