Help, my car won't start....

[al2006]

I must admit I'm a bit of a novice, so any help would be appreciated.

I've never had a problem with my car starting, but today after I'd been driving for a few miles, I came to a stop at a crossroads, and then the engine completely cut out, and I had to be pushed to the side of the road.
When I turned the key to try and start it, there was nothing (silence). The lights still worked, and the battery had a charge. I checked for any loose wires, but couldn't see any.
The car had been fitted with an immobiliser (autowatch) before I bought it, so am I right in thinking it must be the immobiliser, or is there anything else it could be?
Thanks.

[picky]

sounds like the immobiliser could be to blame, but could also be the starter solenoid. There will be a thick wire that leads from the battery to a small part, this is the starter solenoid. if you short the two large terminals of the solenoid with a screwdriver then if it starts this shows the solenoid is most likely at fault. I would first find out more details of the immobiliser, is there any way of confirming if it is on or off?

Picky

[simmitc]

Sounds like two symptoms: (a) the engine stopped; and (b) it now won't start. The two may or may not be related. As picky says, check the solenoid. It might be the type that has a button on the solenoid so that you can operate it manually. What is the year of the car - early ones had pull starters anyway! If the solenoid does not appear to be at fault then it could be the starter motor. Thank goodness for starting handles
Now back to why it stopped: fuel or ignition. Is the car +ve or -ve earth? (+ by design, but may have been changed for the immobliser). Once known we can bypass the key completely and check for sparks. Also need to confirm that petrol pump is working - do you get a clicking when you turn the ignition on after it's been standing?

Whereabouts are you located? Your local brnach might be able to help.

[al2006]

Hi, thanks for the replies.
After disconnecting the immobiliser and checking all the wiring, it turned out it was just a fuse! It appeared fine externally, but there was a slight crack in the end (glass type) which seems to have made all the difference.
So now my '66 minor 1000 is back on the road.
Speaking of starter handles,

[Willie]

Be prepared for further problems as NONE of the the ignition circuit or the starter circuits items are fused. Therefore that was not the answer to your problems. If you do not have a starting handle then get one ASAP
as they are extremely useful. Just remember if you are practising using the handle to always grasp it so that all of your fingers AND your thumb
are on the same side. This is to remove the chance of injury should the engine kick back.

[paulhumphries]

If you do not have a starting handle then get one ASAP
as they are extremely useful.

I second that.

If you get stuck in snow and cann't get out of a rut I've found selecting first or reverse and then turning starting handle (ignition off) was enough to get out of the rut and back onto a drivable surface when trying to drive out just spun the wheels.
Another time I was in France, over 700 miles from home, when the voltage regulator burnt out on my A35. No chance of replacement so I simply bought a new battery and came on that power with starting on the handle.
I even had people asking it the could have a go at starting the car that way as they had never seen it done before !
Back in the Uk I kept charging the battery and starting by handle for around three weeks before I could be bothered in fitting an alternator conversion (really must refit dynamo some day !) as it was so easy.

Paul Humphries

[al2006]

Be prepared for further problems as NONE of the the ignition circuit or the starter circuits items are fused. Therefore that was not the answer to your problems.

Will this always be the case, or are the ignition/starter circuits something which are generally not fused?
The car had had a whole heap of stuff done to it before I got it, such as electronic ignition and alternator conversion, and all new electrics.

Also I don't yet have a starter handle, but I want one. Are there any mail order places anyone can recommend (I've looked on ebay but no joy), or does anyone have a spare one for sale? (I'm in Mid Wales)
Cheers.

[Willie]

Yes, the ignition/starter circuits are not fused on the Minors as standard.
You should be able to source a starting handle from most of the Minor specialists or certainly from someone on this site. Ginger might have about nine as he's a pessimist!! (Sorry Ginger)

[bigginger]

Moi? Only two, I'm afraid

[Kevin]

You mean like this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/morris-minor-star ... dZViewItem

[bmcecosse]

Maybe the fuse was on the 'immobiliser' circuit ? Certainly the ignition and solenoid circuits are never normally fused. Try it out - remove the fuse and see if the car still runs/starts. You may as well find out at home rather than on a dark and wet night at the side of a m/way! If it turns out they ARE fused on your car - either carry lots of spare fuses - or de-fuse it right away!