I have a problem that the alternator is not charging battery. The problem started after I change out a bad alternator. I drove the car for 2 mile then battery light came on immediately took it Autozone to check battery. The battery turnout to be bad a received a replacement. Put the new one in drove to work (Aprox 22 miles) and on the way home car accessories started powering down and multiple dash lights came on and Power Steering went kupt. Got the car home pull battery for recharge (100%) at Autozone. I put the battery back the car drove to autozone to test alternator it showing charging at 2 volts. Next I replaced OEM voltage regulator and brushes, and same result. Returned those parts and brought Denso refub and tested it before walking out the door. I installed it and replaced the belt with gates 535 for 15% pulley. Same result, now I sanded a checked the + &_at the battery, jump point,pass engine mount,one on the driver side hood & strut tower. I've tested each of the acc & grounding point with a miutlmeter and each come out ok. I have notice the starter with full battery doesn't have the gusto it should of the OEM starter. I thinking it might starter ground or alternator ground, can anyone point me in the right direction. I had this car for 41 days and driven it for total of 16.

 

Hmmm, did you test the "exciter"? That is the wire that sends the signal to the Alternator to activate the coil field making the ALT charge. It may be loose or a worn/frayed wire.

I have seen this a few times on other vehicles never a MINI, but there is always a first time.

To test, (with the engine running in a no/low charge condition) use a 12 volt test lead and momentarily touch the exciter lead on the ALT... Check the ALT output... It should be 14+ volts at this point.

Best of luck.

Motor on!

 

Check your crank pulley. If it's dying, it'll slip. The belt drives your alternator, AC, charger. If it's toast, go ATI.

 

Auto zone alternator was junk (they all are...your CORE was worth more than the new Chinese made unit they sold you)....you did yourself a good favor getting the denso...
Have you checked the fuses....guessing you shorted the "field" and blew the fuse....remember the alternator amplifies a voltage...zero in...zero out...
Next...do look at the Crank damper.....simple to look at...
Look around at the wiring...any chafes?clean connections?
Just sounds like something simple....like wires on the wrong lugs or something...
Good to hear you looked at the grounds...

 

I did get a refub Denso from Oreilly's I learned to stay away from cheap chinese electronics with euro cars. I checked the crank pulley its good,I'll probably change it out soon anyway. tomorrow I'm putting it in service mode and checking alternator B+ cable and wire harness.

 

A dead crank pulley might look good w/o cracks on the outside but separate w/o warning like mine.

 

were you able to solve your alternator problem?

 

Hi, did you resolved this challenge? I am having a similar issue.

Thanks,
MF