On a r53 it has the "squib", an explosive charge that goes off when the airbag deploys to disconnect the battery from the cars electrical systems...
The r53 has 2 positive battery cables...an unfused one that goes to the starter, and a second one that goes to the fuse boxes....
The intent of the squib, is to blow, preventing the car from restarting till the battery cable has been inspected for damage. Check for corrosion if it got wet...might be your issue.

 

Naww...
He has a r53...battery in the trunk...mobile Nam does not show his signature... He has a r53.

 

Very important info.....
Could have saved you tons of time....see the above posts...
Bet you 3rd brake light or sunroof drains are leaking....
Most likely the water is the issue....got the box wet...and made the connections much higher resistance....

 

Zippy your my hero. I looked at th 3 nut that holds the ground strap and I had criss threaded it about a year ago when I changed my crank pulley and motor mounts. For $1.76 I fixed the no charging problem. Well at least I have a new alternator and don't have to worry about that breaking in the future. Thanks to all that helped. This forum is great.

 

Awesome!!
Now get that trunk dried out before it gives you issues!!
Glad you fixed it before the CPU go fried or it cost you more $$!

 

Woooo. And the forum fixes another broken mini.

And we move on !!!!

Ps let this be an example as to continue to provide positive constructive advise even if wrong because eventually we hit upon the issue. In this case it cost only an alternator and some scrapped knuckles. It's a win.

Motor on. !

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

Haha I definitely said to check the connections before getting a new alternator... but hey now you have a new one!

Glad its resolved now...