Battery Light - 1962 Morris Minor Convertible

Post by **jacksonjoe04** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:57 pm

Thanks for your help in the past. It is much appreciated.

I have just changed the battery in my car, which has given my 1962 white Morris Minor Convertible an added starting boost.

The red battery light on the dashboard speedo dial would previously have gone out once the car was started. Since replacing the battery, the red light is illuminated all the time? Does this imply a problem with the alternator do you think, or something else?

Kind regards

Joe J

Post by **polo2k** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:32 pm

normally that light is related to charging problems. It might be worth checking that the earth is correct (has it been changed to -ve earth?) ither than that check the output voltage and see what you find

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:07 pm

Put a volt meter across the battery. Note the volt reading. Start the car and check again. It should be between 13.5 and14.5v with engine running.

Post by **RogerRust** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:24 am

Does it have an alternator or a dynamo. The diagnosis will depend on which is fitted.

Post by **Willie** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:27 am

The car will grind to a halt if the charging light does not extinguish because the battery will go flat pretty quickly. Keep your starting handle close by! If you did nothing except fit a new battery are you sure you fitted it the same way around as the original? In theory the battery connections will only fit one way round as they are (or should be) different diameters.

Post by **jacksonjoe04** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:00 am

Thanks for your comments and assistance.

The car has a dynamo not an alternator? Could this be a problem with the dynamo?

Kind regards

Joe J

Post by **Peetee** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:01 am

My first Minor had a charging problem that resulted in a flat battery. I had to limp it back home 25 miles on little more than battery power. It was traced to the dynamo when we popped the bonnet late at night and saw sparks arcing inside the dynamo. The brushes had worn right down. It was therefore a easy and cheap fix.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 24, 2008 10:44 am

Since it happened with the new battery - definitely sounds like reversed polarity - ie the battery is connected wrong way round! Fortunately with a dynamo no damge will have been done - an alternator would probably have been ruined. Check it carefully - the posts are not necessarily on the same side of a new battery - you can specify either side.