Trying to jump start - no power whatsoever
Discussion
Just had AA out to look at my classic mini. It's been stood for ages and battery is probably completely gone. Have tried jump starting it before and there is not enough power to crank he engine. Starter motor just making a rapid clicking.
I've had this previously and a better jump from one of those booster packs got it going. Anyway AA turned up in a massive flat bed - no booster but double battery - connected it up and didn't even get lights on the dash. Nothing.
Could it be that he battery is shot? Wouldn't I still have got at least the lights come on from his battery though?
Unfortunately because his lorry was so big he couldn't stay as I live on a narrow street and nobody could get passed.
Complete waste of a few hours waiting.
If a new battery will sort it ill get one tomorrow.
I've had this previously and a better jump from one of those booster packs got it going. Anyway AA turned up in a massive flat bed - no booster but double battery - connected it up and didn't even get lights on the dash. Nothing.
Could it be that he battery is shot? Wouldn't I still have got at least the lights come on from his battery though?
Unfortunately because his lorry was so big he couldn't stay as I live on a narrow street and nobody could get passed.
Complete waste of a few hours waiting.
If a new battery will sort it ill get one tomorrow.
Classic Mini = battery in the boot right?
It sounds to me like you've got a problem between the battery and the starter, because with a decent set of jump leads attached, you should have dash lights as a minimum, but with a little A series, I'd be surprised if it didn't crank over
Connect the jump leads at the engine - positive onto the starter motor battery connection and earth lead to a good point on the engine block.
It sounds to me like you've got a problem between the battery and the starter, because with a decent set of jump leads attached, you should have dash lights as a minimum, but with a little A series, I'd be surprised if it didn't crank over
Connect the jump leads at the engine - positive onto the starter motor battery connection and earth lead to a good point on the engine block.
Not applicable to a classic but, the Focus family torture mobile. Started perfectly, stopped at shop. Restart, click burr. As we were 100yds from the local got a few lads to give it a push. Nothing except very odd rattles and bangs. Oh dear borked. (on way to airport).
AA chap came out, battery borked, yeh really? He was right. Apparently you can't bump a modern car as it needs enough power to boot the relevant computers to allow it to start, 2 years on never missed a beat.
Progress? Yes. Unless you get a flat battery.
Still a hideous pile of sluggish s
te though, last choice off the drive every time unless the dogs need to get in.
AA chap came out, battery borked, yeh really? He was right. Apparently you can't bump a modern car as it needs enough power to boot the relevant computers to allow it to start, 2 years on never missed a beat.
Progress? Yes. Unless you get a flat battery.
Still a hideous pile of sluggish s
te though, last choice off the drive every time unless the dogs need to get in.Superhoop said:
Classic Mini = battery in the boot right?
It sounds to me like you've got a problem between the battery and the starter, because with a decent set of jump leads attached, you should have dash lights as a minimum, but with a little A series, I'd be surprised if it didn't crank over
Connect the jump leads at the engine - positive onto the starter motor battery connection and earth lead to a good point on the engine block.
Excellent Mini aware advice. The battery leads are unusually long. If the car has stood for years there is every chance the battery is kaput. Lead acid batteries will discharge over time if unused and over a long time are generally u/s. it could be bad contacts but a new battery would establish that and I would change it personally. Check all the contacts clean them use a copper based contact improver and see how it goes. It sounds to me like you've got a problem between the battery and the starter, because with a decent set of jump leads attached, you should have dash lights as a minimum, but with a little A series, I'd be surprised if it didn't crank over
Connect the jump leads at the engine - positive onto the starter motor battery connection and earth lead to a good point on the engine block.
The A series engine is still my favourite and I would expect that to fire up without any hassle once the power is sorted. I have started umpteen A Series engines post long layoffs and every one has fired up without any trauma. Unless water has been penetrating into the cylinders which in the A series it rarely does these engines are very robust and stand huge amounts of standing about. Oldest I have started was unstarted for over 20 years and never a whisper of trouble once running. Brilliant robust clean running unburstable engine in road use. In 50 years of driving the A Series I have yet to have a head gasket blow. Best of luck.
Bought a new battery, connected it up - nothing happened.
5 mins later all the lights came on and fired up first time.
Took it to a mini Indy, it drove up there no problems. When they came to start it it wouldn't start. Again, no power whatsoever.
They spent 3 hours checking all the connections from the battery to the engine and the cylinder. Couldn't find anything amiss. They took starter motor off, cleaned up and reconnected and then it started.
Passed its MOT.
I took it out today and after 10 mins the battery light came on. 10 mins later and it cut out and will not start again.
Radio will come so clearly the connection from battery is ok. The cylinder is connected because when you turn the ignition to start the power to the radio dies (as it should when starting).
My theory is that the alternator or associated wiring has gone - the new battery has run the car for 20 mins of driving but was not recharging. It has run it down and now there is just enough charge to run the radio.
Strange thing is tho - there are no lights on the dash coming on and it doesn't even try to turn the engine
5 mins later all the lights came on and fired up first time.
Took it to a mini Indy, it drove up there no problems. When they came to start it it wouldn't start. Again, no power whatsoever.
They spent 3 hours checking all the connections from the battery to the engine and the cylinder. Couldn't find anything amiss. They took starter motor off, cleaned up and reconnected and then it started.
Passed its MOT.
I took it out today and after 10 mins the battery light came on. 10 mins later and it cut out and will not start again.
Radio will come so clearly the connection from battery is ok. The cylinder is connected because when you turn the ignition to start the power to the radio dies (as it should when starting).
My theory is that the alternator or associated wiring has gone - the new battery has run the car for 20 mins of driving but was not recharging. It has run it down and now there is just enough charge to run the radio.
Strange thing is tho - there are no lights on the dash coming on and it doesn't even try to turn the engine
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