Alternator not charging

[Paul V]

The alternator isn’t charging on the mini, its a 1996 1.3i, I’ve tried changing it but still no charge, the 2 main wires show battery voltage and the small wire about 0.4v.

Any idea what could be causing it?

[Paul V]

The ignition light does come on but goes out once started!

It's got me puzzled, I think it might end up in a garage but I’m trying to sell it and don't really want to spend anymore money on it!

[Paul V]

I'm pretty sure the one I've replaced it with would be ok though as it was working on the other car.

[Paul V]

Sorry the alternator isn't charging, it's only showing about 11.5v at the back of the alternator on the 2 large gauge wires and nothing on the smaller wire, I think that may be the problem as when I tested a friend’s mini all 3 were showing 14+v.

It's weird as everything started working last night, it was charging etc but now it's stopped again.

[Paul V]

Well it only goes with a jump start, the alternator came off my other car and was working fine on there. I'll have more fun over the weekend by the look of it.

Really annoying though as the Griff is off the road as well!

[Paul V]

its with the battery connected so the voltage would be coming from the battery not the alternator as its the same with the engine running or not!

[Paul V]

I thought it was something like that, I have fitted another alternator plus clean up the plug connections etc. and that seems to have it charging, I’m now getting 13.9v at the alternator but only 13.2v at the battery so I’ll try cleaning the earths etc.