Apparent complete electrical failure.

[Mini_Blake]

I'll try to keep this brief and to the point, I couldnt seem to find relavant threads in search but with 56 k + tiredness Im sure I have missed something.

Today I had the drivers side A pillar cover replaced by the dealer as the original one that they replaced flew off ! Has rained on a few occasions whilst unprotected (did joke about an electrical fault with service but told not to worry).

After the work was completed I started the car and noticed a speedo (needle) shudder, the car has done this before and I wasnt about to start to complain about something that I wont be able to demonstrate !


This evening whilst trying to leave my brothers house ...

I put the key into ignition, into position 1, diagnostic checks happen, then I go to try to start the engine, and BAM, any electrical items loose all power.

No interior lights, no key fob locking, no opening the boot.

Emergency service turn up, attach jump leads to the front, car starts, open the boot and find that the connections to the battery are fine. Alternator is working as car is running. Take the jump leads off, turn the car off then try again - no power.

We decide to get the car running and try to make it home and then to the dealers so its there for the morning. I reverse out of the drive, change into 1st and power steering goes, as well as lights dimming and various lights including abs flashing on and off.

As the journey relies on the car not stalling we decide to park up and get a taxi.


Now the only thing I could think of is that water has gotten in through the unprotected pillar but it seems all electrics are on the other side of the engine bay.

Hopefully its something relatively simple like a dead battery but I wasnt at my brothers long, and nothing was left on (headunit can only draw power when engine is on and it wasnt in). Engineer couldnt test on the side of the road in case they go bang.

its may '02 build iirc, and its also late, so If ive missed relevant information then I'll fill it in when I check this in the morning.

Thanks.

[lowdownhaus]

I had a similar problem with a total power blackout in a new MC. Posted this in June with no response, so I gues it's a rare problem.

Here's my original post:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-faults-fixes/60879-total-electrical-outage-then-age-10-minutes-later.html

will be watching here for other repsonses to yours. good luck!

[Malin Dixon]

There is a device in the boot labeled "battery squib". I think it is some kind of fuse / automatic disconnector. It could be that has operated.

The fault could just be an internal colapse inside the battery. I have heard of them dying suddenly. After all, if all the electrics are dead, but OK when you add power at the front, it has to be battery or the wires joining the battery to the front. Nothing complicated.

[Mini_Blake]

That is what im hoping entirely Malin, I wouldnt be suprised if the dealer has fitted a remote device which causes a random failure so that I return !

[mikeythemini]

Agree could be the battery - they can go very sudden.
Either that or a bad earth

[Mini_Blake]

bad earth ? its only you thats worked in my car mikey

Anyway, it seems that it was a problem with the battery, all sorted now and running again, until when Im not entirely sure !