How do you open the bonnet?!

[davidpidge]

This is quite embarassing. I recently bought my first Morris Minor. A 1959, 4 door saloon but I can't get the bonnet open. I'm pretty sure everyone on here can tell me how.

[aupickup]

just under the inside dash on the drivers side is a metal hoop, pull this and the bonnet will come up on the safty catch, then go to the front of the bonnet and you feel a small lefer press down and lift up the bonnet

[dp]

If you reach into the right hand side footwell the go as far back, right and up as you can you should find a metal loop. Pull that.

[davidpidge]

cheers guys. Now the hard bits sorted, I can work out why she won't start!

[bmcecosse]

First thing you should have done on getting the car - was to check the oil and water levels ! And for that - you obviously need to open the bonnet. What are the 'not starting' symptoms ? Is the engine turning over nice and fast - but just not firing up, or - is it not turning over - or only doing so v slowly ?

[davidpidge]

I might be useless with cars but I wouldn't have bought a car without checking the engine! The guy i bought the car from opened the bonnet for me and I didn't think to ask how he did it! haha. It's started really well every time i've used it but yesterday when I tried to start it....she gave up. It turns over fine but after 2 or 3 tries it starts to slow down and then....nothing. I assume somethings draining the battery? Also, I had a go with the crank. Not that I knew what I was doing, more of a last resort and for the novelty factor!

[LouiseM]

It might just be that the battery has had it. Do you know how long it has been in the vehicle?

[bmcecosse]

Slack fan belt - bad connections to the battery - and/or from battery to solenoid and earth. Does it start ok if you jump start it from another car ? Have you been doing short runs with all lights/heater/wipers in use? It 'may ' just need a good charging - and then try to take it for a decent run at least once a week - in daylight with no lights on!

[davidpidge]

I jumped it from another car and it started instantly and ran fine round the block a couple of times. The batteries pretty new. No more than 3-4 months. It was in my drive and started every time even if it had been sitting for over a week. This is the first time i've had a problem. I'll get one of those power packs to keep in the boot! Cheers for all your suggestions.

[bmcecosse]

Does the Red ignition light go out when you start the car and rev the engine ? Have you checked the fan belt is tight ? Does it have a dynamo - or an alternator ??

[davidpidge]

The red light goes out when I rev the engine and it happily idles away once it's warmed up a bit. I assume I have a dynamo. It's a 1959 and as far as i'm aware nothings ever been updated from new although engine parts would obviously have been replaced.

[bmcecosse]

Don't keep starting it - without taking it for a decent drive each time ! It needs a bit of time to recharge the battery after each start - and if a dynamo, it won't charge well (if at all) at idle - it needs to be above 1000 rpm.

[davidpidge]

Yeah cheers. I was just reading about dynamos. It said you need to run about 6 miles before the charge from the battery is replaced from starting the motor.

[alex_holden]

Yeah cheers. I was just reading about dynamos. It said you need to run about 6 miles before the charge from the battery is replaced from starting the motor.

It will be less than that unless you have to crank for many seconds before it fires. The main trouble during the winter is if it's dark on the way to and from work and you're always driving with the headlights, wipers, heater, etc. on, the dynamo never gets a chance to replenish the battery. In those conditions I top the battery up about once a week with a mains charger.

[mike.perry]

You will be putting a heavier load through the battery in the winter as the lower temperatures thicken the oil and put more of a load on the starter. A weekly charge should keep it topped up.
The starting handle is a useful backup and quite easy with a little practise.
Switch the ignition on and if the engine is cold pull the choke out. You may have to vary the choke setting to get it to fire.
Insert the handle through the hole in the bumper so that it fits into the hole in the crankshaft pulley. It is easier to see with the bonnet open. Sometimes it also helps to pull the accelerator cable out so that the end of the outer cable rests on the edge of the cable stop. This will speed up the tickover and help keep the engine running.
The engine turns over clockwise so hold the handle with your right hand keeping your thumb together with your fingers over the top of the handle. (important, if the engine kicks back it can do your thumb some damage). Turn the handle until you can feel the compression at the 2 o'clock position and then give the handle a sharp turn. With a bit of luck the engine will fire, if not try again. When the engine fires pull the handle out and release the accelerator cable.
It is best to practise with a warm engine as it will start easier and you will not need the choke.
Forgot to mention, make sure the handbrake is on and the car in neutral. It makes great entertainment watching someone get run over by his own car!

[dalebrignall]

give the car a decent run to put some charge in it short trips do a battery no favours in the winter.if you have an altinator it should be silver in colour and a dynamo will be green or black.

[davidpidge]

Thanks for all the info. I'll keep the battery on charge once a week from now on.

[bmcecosse]

You really shouldn't need to charge the battery - as long as the car gets reasonable use the battery will be charged. Check the 'fan' belt is tight enough!

[Kevin]

Hi David if it helps

A Dynamo
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An Alternator
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When you have the bonnet open they are on the left hand side of the engine at the front.