Morris Minor Owners Club

Yes - but I thought you had already investigated that?

Well, wasn't sure what the lights remaining 'on' when the 'click' on turning the key indicated. I thought perhaps the starter motor, so went about testing the motor and solenoid and connections, all by use of battery's.

So going by this then perhaps the starter was fine and the click, mentioned in the op, and 'lights on' meant something else? Now I'm confused?

Got the starter motor today, so if I get a chance tonight I will get it put on.

Test it with jump leads before you fit it..... And the old one....... Either clamp it in a vice - or hold it down in a corner with your boot... Seriously - you have to be methodical when tracking down a problem, and eliminate the simple things first.....

Ok, yeh will be methodical when fault finding, I understand that. I've tested the old one, with jump leads, like I said earlier, and it worked initially, then when I re tested it on the car it didn't work (direct with jump leads and the solenoid to motor lead attached) this was confusing, so took it back off the car, tested it again, exactly as before and it wouldn't do anything other than spark a lot when the jump lead was attached right up near the body of the motor on the screw.

So at this point I thought I had a duff motor. New one had arrived so I'm a bit reluctant to test it again as before, as perhaps I'm not testing it correctly.... Connected to the battery on the xtrail, which is serviceable, by + to motor and the - earth to the long bolt screw that holds the motor together and to the negative earth on the xtrail battery.

Connected to the battery on the xtrail, which is serviceable, by + to motor and the - earth to the long bolt screw that holds the motor together and to the negative earth on the xtrail battery.

Right on!

So good news, I've tested the new starter motor, with the xtrail battery, spun up instantly, and then tested it using the battery on the traveller, spun up instantly! Way better than the old motor spun up before it stopped working!

Just need to get time to get it back in now.

Old and new....

So the starter is back in and turn ing the engine no probs! However the car isn't firing! I've done a check to see if there is a spark at the plug by putting a screwdriver in to the lead and then holding it over the top of the rocker cover on one of the it's there, and there is no spark. I'm not sure if the test against this part of the engine would work though?

So perhaps there isn't a spark.

Here is a picture of the distributor and I've measured the gap, and I think it's perhaps too big, this is it at the fully open position...



How is the gap made smaller, and would this cause no spark?

Sorry for the stupid questions, but I'm learning as I go!

While that gap is 'big' and not ideal - it won't be the cause of 'no spark'. To reduce the gap - slacken the burred up screw slightly and move the points to close the gap to 15 thou - then tighten the screw - making sure the points gap remains.....

All sorted on this bmc. Thanks though!