Morris Minor Owners Club

Hope someone can help!

The battery is fully charged. I pull the starter pull, and the starter motor turns, but does not turn the engine. I can see the small nut at the end of the starter motor turning, but nothing else happens.

The fuel pump also does not appear to be turning, clicking as usual.

Does anyone have any initial ideas? Would appreciate some technical insight!

Kind regards

Joe J

That means the starter motor needs a service. You can take it off and give it a good clean.

As long as the fuel pump ticks it is ok.

DO NOT grease the starter motor or re-assembly, just make sure the shaft is all clean.

Good luck

your problem is usually, as Onne says, that the automatic engagement mechanism on the end of the starter motor is dirty or sticky with oil etc.
You do not have to dismantle the starter, just remove it and you will see
the mechanism at the flywheel end. Clean it thoroughly and your troubles should be over. Disconnect the battery lead before you start!

has it been lying out of use for some time - or was it working just recently ? If the electric pump has not been run recently then the points will need cleaning. It must 'tick' when switched on for a few seconds to pump up fuel - then it should indeed go silent until the engine starts. Fortunately you have a starting handle on a Minor - so the starter motor problem won't hold you back from getting it running!

Dear All. Thanks for all the good advice.

Instead of sitting out in the sunshine this afternoon, I have been tinkering!

I have removed the starter motor, and yes indeed the cog mechanism half way down the shaft was sticky and mucky. I have cleaned this all up thoroughly.

How does this mechanism work on starting? Is there any trick to engaging the mechanism, when I return the starter motor to the car?

The fuel pump - I have cleaned up all the points, but it did not seem to do anything. The pump seems to be dead, no noise, no humming, no nothing. The car has been out of action for awhile.

Does the petrol to the pump need priming?

Thanks for the useful help

Kind regards

Joe J

The starter mechanism engages itself without any help from you so just
refit the unit. As it builds up speed the starter cog is thrown along the shaft until it engages with the teeth on the flywheel. As soon as the engine fires the cog is returned to rest position. Pump, check for 12v at the terminal on the end and for a good earth contact where it is bolted to the battery box and check the thin wire which goes from one of the mounting bolts to the circular body of the pump which also earths the body. If you undo the rubber fuel pipe where it joins the carb and place it in a receptacle you should find that the pump 'ticks' away as soon as the ignition is turned on.

Yes - it's an 'inertia' starter - so indeed the motor shaft twists and the Bendix moves along until it locks into the flywheel ring gear. When the engine fires it throws the Bendix out of engagement - but you must immediately let go or the teeth will be damaged. As for the pump - Willie has told you all - but there is a knack to setting up the points which is all fully explained in the Haynes manual.