If I am reading the electrical diagram correct, the upper fuse only goes to the dome light and horn.

If the car is a '62 and has a generator, then it probably has a voltage regulator. This is an electro-mechanical device that limits how much charge goes from the generator to the battery and all the electrical circuits.
It should allow about 13 or 14 volts to pass back to the battery. The battery at full charge should actually provide 13.2 volts, and to charge it, the charging voltage needs to be a bit higher than the battery.

It uses coils and breaker points to control voltage. Over time the points get worn or corroded and need to be cleaned up. Then there are adjustment screws to actually set the voltage throughput.

Test it with your multi-meter.
Check also the belt tension and the generator connections are correct.

Hi All,

Thanks so far.

Status update: I'm picking the battery up from AutoZone later this afternoon.  It was showing 10.5 volts when I took it in, with 0% charge.  The battery's 10 months old.

Newbie question: when we push-started it yesterday and drove around for about 20 minutes, why didn't that recharge the battery?  It's got a new generator just put in.

Thanks again,
Ryan

I suggest following Spank's advice.  Get the battery charged and try again.  If you still have silence when you push the starter button, try the following.
Place the battery on the floor in front of the car.
Place the gear selector in neutral.
Connect a set of jumper cables as follows:  Red lead to battery plus, other end of red lead to the big battery cable on the starter motor.
Connect the black jumper lead to battery minus.

Make sure the other end of the black jumper cable lead is NOT touching anything yet.  Rest it on a towel or similar.
When you are ready, take the lose black jumper cable lead and press it firmly against a bare metal spot on the engine.

If the engine would not turn over with the push button but does turn over with the jumper cables, the problem is in your push button starter switch.

NOTE:  During the jumper cable test, when you push the black lead against the bare metal spot on the engine there WILL be a big spark.  That is normal.  Don't let it scare you.  It won't hurt you.

While the battery is out charging would be a good time to check and clean the large wire connections at the starter switch. Also check/clean both ends of the engine ground strap and the battery ground strap.

Step 1, remove your battery completely and bring it to your local Autozone or Oreily's or similar and have them charge it for free.

Step 2, reinstall your battery.

Step 3, try again to start the car.

Hi Ryannnn. I'm sure you'll not have much trouble figuring out your electrical issue. The symptoms you describe are pretty easy to trace back to their source and there's plenty of knowledgable and helpful folks here. I'm more concerned with your neighbor. Sounds like he could use your multimeter.

Hi Willie,

I do have a multimeter.  

Here's what happened up to this point: the generator died, and my car sat around undriven for over 2 months.  My neighbor helped me put the new generator in, but it didn't start up.  When I pressed the ignition the 1st time, the engine tried to start.  Pushed it again, and there was nothing but silence.  I looked at the fuses, and the upper one was blown.  I replaced it, tried starting the car again, and it was still silent.

I push-started the car and drove around for 20 minutes.  Head lights and brake lights work, but the turn signals don't.

When I turned it off after the drive, I tried starting it again, and it's still completely silent.

Thanks,
Ryan

No, it is not your coil. The coil provides spark when the engine is running. If you get nothing when starting then you have a bad starter switch, starter or wiring or a dead battery. Do you have a multi meter and know how to use it?

Let's back up a bit.

Was it starting & running till this? Do you just change anything?

Hi All,

I bought my '62 Morris Mini a little over a year.  I've got my 1st electrical issue, and this is the 1st time I've fixed a car on my own (I'm very new to this and ready to LEARN).

Here's the problem:

When I push the ignition button, I hear nothing at all.  The engine doesn't try to turn over.  Just complete silence.

I'd guess there's a problem with the ignition coil (sticker on the side says "Inspected 06/94").

I don't really know what to test to narrow the problem down.  I asked my neighbor, and he blew a fuse, so I need the forum's help.

Thank you in advance,
Ryan