Need some Mini expertise

[JonW]

Hi all,

I’m after some over the internet mechanical diagnosis expertise...

My Mini Cooper has just suddenly started draining the battery. Yesterday I drove it for about an hour into London, went to watch my daughter play hockey, and when I came back to the car (with daughter and friend in tow) it had a minor electrical meltdown, and wouldn’t start at all... it sounded like the battery was flat, and even the electric windows and electric door locking wouldn’t work...

One expensive Uber later, I came back to the car with the Range Rover and a set of jump leads, and managed to get the car started no problem. I then drove home the long way so it had a good 90 mins to charge, and when I got here I could stop and start the car no problems.

However, I noticed as I left the car there was a very high pitched whine, which sounded as though a fan or a motor was still whirring. At the time I thought it might just be the engine cooling down, so thought nothing of it.

This morning when I went to check the car, the battery was completely flat, could only open the door with the key manually, and when I turned the ignition there was nothing in the battery at all.... just now I jump started it again, and there is definitely something that is whirring away, and which I presume is draining the battery of all juice.

So my question for those of you who are mechanically minded, is where would you start in terms of trying to diagnose the fault...?

 

[philw696]

Is it the cooling fan staying on poss faulty resistor.
If it was older I would have said Lucas electrics

 

[CatmanV2]

..or a knackered battery

Take it to Halfords and get it load tested

C

 

[allandwf]

I would not jump to conclusions re the whirring ing, it may be normal. I'd have the battery tested first.

 

[lifes2short]

obviously a knackered car, just buy a new one, we are in a throw away society after all

 

[JonW]

Thanks all,

I've just been for another look and that car is once again completely flat... I connected the car up to a proper battery charger, and the moment I turn on the electricity a fan or a motor starts whirring, and as soon as I turn off the electricity the noise stops immediately.

Below is a video....

 

[lifes2short]

as phil mentioned above, faulty fan resistor if it is the fan not cutting out, by the way has your camera got sun glasses on

 

[Oneball]

Easy first option is disconnect the battery, charge it and see if it holds its charge overnight when not connected.

Look in the manual, find the fuse for the cooling fan and pull it. See if it makes a difference.