Electrical problems HELP!

[rickyo]

I have owned a four door 1956 Minor for six years, which I have restored. I have not used it for nearly a year. I charged up the battery and checked that all the electrical items worked before attempting to start it and they did. I tried to start the car, but the starter did not engage with no sound coming from it. I checked the fuses and they were fine. I connected the battery charger thinking that the battery needed more power. I pulled out the starter button and heard a faint sound, but it did not attempt to turn over. I noticed that the red light on the speedo head was very faint and the green light did not come on. I tried the the heater, indicators lights, wipers to see if they were still working. The only items that worked were the fuel pump and the lights. I turned of the lights only to find that they would not turn off. I checked the fuses with a test light and nothing registered. I disconnected the battery and each time I put the battery terminal back on, the lights came back on and still will not go off. I have never experienced this situation on any car. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The Minor ran perfectly the last time that I used it, with everything working correctly. Very strange!

[MarkyB]

I'm not sure about why the lights are stating on but the reason for the starter not turning is almost certainly either one of the connections on the thick wires or that the engine isn't properly earthed.
Try a jumper lead from the engine to the earth side of the battery.

If you have the cap type battery connectors chuck them away and get the clamp type.

[lambrettalad]

For the lights check your switch isn't shorting,if not must be a short elsewhere 'cause the lights are getting power from somewhere,good luck,as said check your earth.if ok take starter out and ,after placing a big size 11 foot on it,if it works fine when wired direct

[bmcecosse]

The lights are probably a 'stuck' switch - so you need to sort that out. Otherwise - could just be knackered battery. Try with jump leads ? No point worrying about 'fuses' - they have nothing to do with starting the engine. Does the engine turn over ok on the handle? If so - start it on the handle !!

[simmitc]

With the ignition OFF, use a spanner on the square rod sticking out of the front of the starter, and make sure that it is free to turn. It could simply by stuck. You could also try leaving the car in gear and rocking it backwards and forwards to ensure that the starter is not jammed (again, ignition OFF).

Lights on will be, as others have said, a short or a failed switch. The non-working other items could be a fuse - corroded connections can play havoc. I would check all thick cables. including the earth from the rear of the gearbox to the gearbox cross member.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Start with the simplest things first: check all earths and electrical connections, rub them with sandpaper if needs be to get a better connection.

Personally with so many electrical problems happening at once I would have thought the battery. Was it left for a year untouched along with the rest of the car?

[rickyo]

I would like to thank everyone who offered their advice. I do not know what caused the lights to stay on. I fiddled around with the wires and checked the earth connections and nothing changed. I had charged the battery up that day, so did not consider the battery to be a problem. Out of frustration I took a nearly new battery from another car and fitted it to the Minor, thinking that nothing would change, the lights went out and everything is now working fine. I guess you live and learn. I ran the engine for about ten minutes and I could hear knocking sounds from the radiator. The water had boiled up. I had replaced the water pump and the radiator, so it had to be the thermostat. I tried to remove the housing, but it would not budge. In the end I had to hacksaw all three corners off to dismantle it. Old cars certainly keep you occupied and test your patience!

[MarkyB]

It's character building

[bmcecosse]

The 'lights' thing is certainly a mystery! Well done coming back to update us.