With winter weather coming, automobiles tend to suffer, the most general scenario is to have difficulties starting your Mini Countryman in the morning with very low temperatures. In general this is related to problems recharging the battery of your Mini Countryman . There are some causes that can explain why your battery does not recharge properly anymore, and today we will try to help you to resolve this issue that can prevent you from using your car. To accomplish this, first we will explain how recharging your car battery works, then the different problems of recharging a Mini Countryman, and finally how to recharge an empty car battery.
How does recharging the battery of a Mini Countryman function?
Before we describe the different problems of recharging the battery on a Mini Countryman , we will explain to you how its recharging system operates so that you can figure out the problems you are struggling with. A car battery works like a phone battery, it will store energy to start your Mini Countryman , turn on your headlights, listen to music, lower your power windows… However all these actions will consume energy and it might deplete the energy reserve that your battery can store. To handle this issue, the engineers have designed a component called the alternator , this component will use the energy created by the engine of your Mini Countryman to generate energy thanks to a copper coil and a magnet. This energy will recharge the battery of your car . However, bear in mind that this process can only work when your car is running, using electrical components of your car when it is stopped will drain the energy reserve of your car. It is considered that a battery of a xxx has a life span of 3 to 5 years.
Problems recharging a Mini Countryman’s battery
We will now describe the different battery charging problems on a Mini Countryman you might be victim of. If your battery is not recharging because there is actually a issue in your electrical set up, we will now see the different situations.
Battery charging problem on Mini Countryman: My battery is discharging even if I am recharging it with a particular charger
In this first case, it is quite possible that your alternator is dead , indeed, if you manage to recharge your battery with a charger and your Mini Countryman to start, the problem certainly comes from your alternator which should not be able to generate any more current.
Battery charging issue on Mini Countryman: My car shuts off and does not start even if I have charged the battery
If you have recharged your battery and you have been able to start your Mini Countryman but it switches off while you are driving and then does not start, the trouble with recharging the battery of your Mini Countryman is that your battery no longer holds the charge .
Battery charging issue on Mini Countryman: My battery is discharged although it is new
.
If you’ve just bought a battery and it discharges while you’re driving, the issue most likely comes from your alternator. It cannot result from your battery, which is new and therefore holds the charge. The second possibility is that you have a ground somewhere in your electrical system.
How to resolve the issue of battery charging on Mini Countryman?
We will now give you the solutions according to the issue you are struggling with. Here are the different problems and their solutions:
- Faulty alternator: You can try with basic mechanics to verify it with a pressure gauge to find out if it’s producing power. If it doesn’t, replacing it is the best solution, based on your motor you will pay a few hundred euros. This repair is feasible in case your alternator is accessible.
- Battery that no longer holds the charge: In such a case, the purchase of a new battery is the only realistic solution. Obviously, if you have already recharged it but it is still empty because it is good to be changed, count between 60 and 100 euros based on your engine.
- Ground in the electrical circuit: If you cannot start your Mini Countryman but your alternator and battery are in good condition, it is possible that you have a ground on your wiring harness and that you lose energy, a verify by a car electrician is in this case necessary.
How to recharge an empty battery of a Mini Countryman
Finally, to recharge the empty battery of a Mini Countryman there are only few solutions, using a battery charger is the most efficient solution, you can find some for 50 to 100 euros at vendors like Oscaro. In any other case you can use cables that will only provide the energy needed to start.
In the event that you have any additional questions about the Mini Countryman, do not hesitate to consult our Mini Countryman category.
