Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello all,

Bit of a problem that has got me stumped, I dropped my girlfriend off at the station this morning with no problems got home then a couple of hours later tried to start the car but no love I've checked the battery and it's all charged up I've also removed the starter motor to check that it wasn't jammed and it was fine, I've checked all the plug leads and dizzy cap and all the connections it all seems fine. I pressed the button on the solenoid and there was no sound so could it be this? or could the starter motor be burnt out? have to admit it's buggered up my day a bit, ah well it's all part of the fun I suppose any help would be much appreciated.

Ooh while I remember, I did notice that the starter motor was very hot when I removed it if that means anything?


All the best

Dan

sounds like it could be the solenoid, but you could check that by 'dropping a spanner' across the thing (take great care)

if you have a meter you can measure the resistance across the starter you are looking for low resistance (remove lead to prevent meter being damaged by vehicle battery)

how did you check the battery? electrolyte level or voltage? both of those can't spot a battery that fails by developing a high internal resistance. I've had two batteries that fail like this, as soon as you hit the starter everything dies, but there is enough juice to run dash lights etc put the main beam on and try to start, if you loose lights which then slowly return it is the battery.

I've got a battery charger which I hooked it up to, to check the voltage. Is it ok to check the solenoid with a plastic handled screw driver? electrickery gives me the fear

Is it ok to check the solenoid with a plastic handled screw driver

Yes. There will be big sparks though nothing to worry about.

There was no sparks (much to the relief of my trousers). I also checked the connections with one of those screwdriver light things it can read power in the solenoid but none in the battery to solenoid cable. The plot thickens

Have you got a jump lead? If yes, try jumping from battery live to soleniod out, to see if starter spins. If yes then try jump from battery live to soleniod in and operate the starter from inside the car.

I just tried the battery live to solenoid out- no joy also tried the other way- no joy, I also tried hooking the starter motor up with the jump leads and also no joy is it just a knackered solenoid? I would have thought the starter would have jumped into life with a direct connection

I would have thought the starter would have jumped into life with a direct connection

Jump battery earth to engine, and then battery live to starter motor.If still no joy, then remove starter and check it. Sounds like starter u/s.

I've done as you said and there was a crackle and some smoke coming from where they where joined to the starter. Does this mean the starter is a bit broken? :S

Sounds like starter u/s.

Remove starter and bench test.

Is the starter jammed in against the flywheel ring ? Try starting the engine with the handle ! If it turns freely - and the starter is free then look for bad connections at battery/solenoid/starter/earth cable.

Hello all,

Thought I should give a bit of an update,

After a bout of the 24 hour flu this weekend, I fitted a new starter motor today and he started up first time, with some gusto as well. I have to admit it's a bit shocking how fast he eats starter motors, this is my third in 2 years!

As always, thanks for all the invaluable help.

Nice to hear its sorted

it's a bit shocking how fast he eats starter motors, this is my third in 2 years!

The original one would have lasted 20+ years, in my view the short life of your ones typifies the problems with modern spares.

theres always the starting handle i used mine for a week when the battery went duff.i was bending the handle when i used it.not nice if it kicks back

You must make sure you don't wrap your thumb around the handle - or high risk of broken thumb! But if the ignition timing is correct it really shouldn't kick back. You need to snatch the engine up and over top dead centre - it should start and leave the handle free. Good idea to pull the choke and turn the engine over a few times with the ignition OFF (after first pumping up fuel) - then switch on and give it that snatch!

simmitc wrote: The original one would have lasted 20+ years, in my view the short life of your ones typifies the problems with modern spares.

I agree it's a bit rubbish, I also just had to get an indicator stalk replaced after it developed a fault in just 3 months. Also the amount of new coils I've been through has been quite ridiculous though I've got an old unit fitted at the moment which is proving quite trustworthy (touch wood) ;)

dalebrignall wrote: theres always the starting handle i used mine for a week when the battery went duff.i was bending the handle when i used it.not nice if it kicks back

I've thought about using the starting handle but I work as an illustrator so no hands = no work. I always remember during my first job I foolishly decided to take up skateboarding and was informed that if I broke my wrist then they wouldn't keep me on, which was fair enough really. Saying that the first time I got on a skateboard I fell off badly and buggered up my knee so that killed it pretty quick. C'est la vie

Maybe you have been buying 9 volt coils (intended for Mini with resistive igntion lead) and that's why they don't last on a 12 volt system!