She won't start, please help!

[Yenotsneb]

Hello!

I have a '54 series 2 minor. I haven't driven her as much over the winter and when I tried to take her out yesterday, she wouldn't start. Wouldn't even turn over. I assumed it was the battery and tried jump starting but that didn't work so then I tried using the starting handle (first time I've ever done that!) and it worked! she ran fine. I did a short journey at lunchtime, then another at about 6pm, no problems at all.

However, this morning when I tried to start her, she's not starting. What are the most likely causes? Would it be the battery?

Many thanks
From Ben

[bmcecosse]

Well yes - if it's been lying without being connected to a solar charger - or a mains trickle charger - the battery will be flat, and flat batteries that have been stood for a while often don't pick up a charge again. You can try charging it for 24 hours or so...but I suspect a new battery will be required. Is the fan belt tight - and does the charge warning light go out? A good LONG run - at least an hour - may put some life into it - you could give it a try...

[charlie_morris_minor]

if it failed on the jump start could it not be an earth fault? I would be tempted to clean up the earth etc before going for a new battery.

[bmcecosse]

Depends how the jump start is used - it's not just a case of connecting the leads and cranking the engine (since the leads are not usually thick enough to carry the full starting current). The 'donor' car should be run at a good fast idle for 5 minutes to pump some charge into the flat battery - and then an attempt to start can be made - with the leads still connected of course.

[Yenotsneb]

Thank you, I was thinking I'd take her out for a longer trip this week, that's if I can get her started again! Wouldn't start at all today - not with the starting handle anyway. I couldn't try jumping this time as I didn't have a donor car. The fan belt seems tight. The earth cable seemed a bit loose on the battery so I gave it a clean and tightened it, hopefully that'll help. Yes I gave it a good charge from the donor car battery for at least 20mins last time. I'll try again tomorrow!

[mike.perry]

Buy yourself a decent battery charger and charge the battery overnight.
The car will often start on the handle when it will not start on the starter motor as all the available current is used to provide the spark and is not absorbed by the starter motor. As long as there is enough life in the battery to light the ignition light this is often sufficient to start the engine on the handle

[GBond]

Check the earth cable that goes from the body to the engine, it might be loose or broken and very little current gets to the starter.

[bmcecosse]

For all it will cost - treat it to a new battery... You'll have endless hassle with a failing battery......and maybe break your thumb using the handle ! But also get a solar charger for future 'lay ups' !!

[Yenotsneb]

Cheers, I might well do that - any recommendations for a decent charger?

[charlie_morris_minor]

For all it will cost - treat it to a new battery... You'll have endless hassle with a failing battery......and maybe break your thumb using the handle ! But also get a solar charger for future 'lay ups' !!

have you had a knock on the head Roy? Mr "I never pay more than a pound for alternator" a new battery is about 40 pounds and If you have an earth fault it will still be there no matter how new the battery is. Of course having ruled out an earth fault then i would go for a new battery. Hopefully having tightened up the cable on your battery it might have resolved the problem. Getting a decent trickle charger is a worthwhile investment though.

[bmcecosse]

He's already checked the earth connections... The battery is knackered , having been left to go flat all winter. Search for a 'Lucas' battery supplier near you on ebay....it shouldn't be much over £30. No need to go large on a battery - a small one works perfectly well on a Minor. Solar chargers are ~ £10 if you have access to sunlight.

[Yenotsneb]

Thanks everyone!

I checked the earth connection from the negative battery terminal to the chassis, are there other connections I should check? I've got the jump leads on and about to give it a try - fingers crossed! If she starts, I'm off to get a solar charger!

[bmcecosse]

The solar charger is for long term storage..it will do nothing in the short term. You need a battery......

[chesney]

There is an earth cable that runs from the gearbox casing to the crossmember.
Easy check is to attach a jump lead from the engine (front plate works, scratch to get a good contact) direct to battery earth terminal and seeing whether it starts.
Any chance you can try the battery from your donor car in the Minor? Temporarily? May negate the need for an unnecessary cost.

[Yenotsneb]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful comments! She's starting fine now.
Here's what I think happened- the initial failure to jump start was due to a loose earth connection at the battery. The short journeys I did weren't enough to charge the battery up so I was unable to start it the following day.
I have given it a couple of really good long runs now and the battery seems to have life back in it - starts no problem now. I suppose I'll just have to see how long it keeps the charge. I did get a solar charger to hopefully prevent it getting so low again.

Thanks again, much appreciated!

[bmcecosse]

Well done ! Batteries don't like being left to go flat like that - so hopefully the charger will keep it up if you are not using the car for extended periods - anything longer than a week really...