Morris Minor Owners Club

Just got a Morris minor as my first car.Having a few problems with the battery charging .I recently put a new battery in as the previous one was dead all was going ok until i hadn't driven the car for about two days and it wouldn't start. Managed to jump start it, got it down the road and it cut out which would be fine on a country road but as i live in London not the best thing.

Got it home thanks to RAC and they said my alternator wasn't working but i didn't think it had one thought it had a dynamo which confused me.

Got an external charger which worked and car started no problem and from looking at other posts it should be i 12.4 -12.6 on idle which it is using the voltmeter.

Just wondered if i have found a quick solution to a much bigger problem and would be great if anyone has any advice for a novice that wants to learn.

Oh and the red light is of when i am driving.

just because a moggy left the factory with a dynmo it does not mean that you still have one, swapping to alternator is a common conversion so the RAC man might have been correct..

you say that car is charging at 12.4 - 12.6 volts at tick over, the important value is what the charging is when running at a fast idle it should be closer to 14 volts..

if you have a read of this thread, it might help you get some answers quickly..

http://mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t ... o+charging

Does it have a dynamo or alternator? Can you post a picture of the engine bay so that we can see?

Welcome to the forum - first step is to check if the fan belt is tight enough. Also - when driving in town traffic - switch off headlights to save current. Much idling with heater/wipers/lights etc on all the time will drain the battery - even with an alternator. The alternator (big silvery thing on right side of engine - is that what you have?) may be partly faulty and able to give only limited current to the system. As Charlie points out - the voltage at decent revs shiuld be 13.8/14.2 volts - then check again this time with heater and headlights switched on - and report back the results.

Will check and get back to you thanks

Just checked engine

With choke nearly all the way out was reading 13.4

1/2 way 13.2

All way in 12.6ish

I have also attached a picture of my engine

Any help would be great

Thanks
James[frame][/frame]

i see its an halfords battery
[]

aupickup wrote:i see its an halfords battery

I am just about to take mine back because it doesn't hold its charge

Looks like a dynamo

mine is the 2nd one in 2 years
i got a replacement one last year as it wasnt holding a charge especially in the winter, summer of coure is fine

It IS a dynamo - and it is charging correctly - although we need you to check again with headlights and heater fan ON! Did you tighten the fan belt?

Not to sound like a complete idiot.But not quite sure how to tighten the fan belt.

maybe you need more hands on practical help

Hi James, welcome to the forum. To adjust the dynamo see the picture. Loosen the 2 bolts shown where the 2 top arrows are then you will find a sliding adjuster where the lower arrow is. When you have adjusted the belt so there is about 1/2 - 1 inch play on the longest run tighten up the bottom first then the 2 top bolts. Whereabouts are you? Someone local may offer to show you.[frame][/frame]

I live in north London near Kilburn. If anyone lives near buy or knows of anyone that would be up for helping would be great.Happy to drive if need be.

I assume im checking the belt to make sure its tensioned and not slack.

James

Indeed - it's the easiest thing in the world - 5 minute job at worst! Morris Minors are very much DIY cars - all too many people end up getting ripped taking them to garages. I urge you to enroll in a Car Maintenance class as soon as possible.

What a shame! I lived in Kilburn up till 1970. You are 43 years too late! (Mind, I didn't know much about cars then.....)