Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have a 1275 with alternator and electronic ignition which won't turnover. I turn the key but nothing happens. No noise at all. I've also tried jump starting and have swapped for another battery. I can't use a starter handle as I have the wrong sort of nut for that sort of thing.

It did this the other day for a while but then magically started but now has decided to stop again.

The fuel pump doesn't tick madly like it normally does when you switch on, but I guess it may be full after all my attempts at starting?

Not turning over - means either poor battery connections - or poor starter connections - or a fault at the ignition switch or at the solenoid! Does it turn over every time ok if you press the button on the solenoid ?

No - it's the same story with the solenoid button.

Well - maybe the solenoid itself - or bad connections at the starter - or faulty starter! Probably best to have the starter off and inspect the state of the brushes.

Right you are! I'll have a look. Many thanks.

Do you get the ign and oil lights come on when you turn the key?

I do indeed.

Have you checked if any wires have come off the back of the ign switch?

I haven't, but I will now. Many thanks.

But it doesn't work when pressing the solenoid directly....... So - won't be wires on switch. Could still be battery/starter/earth connections though!

Do the lights dim when you try to turn the engine over?
Starter could be jammed.

bmcecosse wrote:But it doesn't work when pressing the solenoid directly....... So - won't be wires on switch. Could still be battery/starter/earth connections though!

My solenoid doesn't work off the button but the car starts fine off the key...

Try shorting across the solenoid with a jump lead if it turns over its not the starter motor so work backwards

If you have changed the battery and tried jump starting then next is to check that the starter is not jammed by turning the square shaft with a spanner.
Check the lead to the starter motor is tight at both ends and check that the mounting bolts are tight as these ensure that the starter is fully earthed.
Try connecting jump leads from another car directly onto the starter terminal and onto the mounting flange of the starter.
If this fails then remove the starter and place it on the ground and try the jump leads again. If the starter is ok it will spin rapidly. If not then you have found the problem

Can't see why it would work 'on the ground' if it didn't work in the car - with the same direct connections! All these instructions for direct connection will fairly have the sparks flying! Take care.

Letting it spin on the ground will see whether it is working properly or just turning reluctently or not at all

Certainly no harm (provided it doesn't jump too badly!) - but if it spins on the engine it will be ok. If doing on the ground - be sure to keep a good heavy boot (yes - with foot/leg inside!) on the thing to hold it down.

Finally got round to fixing it. Sorry for not getting back earlier. New kitchen stopped play.
I ended up using a jump lead to connect the solenoid (it's a '58 which I believe is just a switch really) to the starter motor and it worked fine.
The trouble was down to the thread on the terminal on the starter being stripped so no/insufficent contact was being made. I stuck some washers in front of the nut so it was able to pick up the thread and all is now well.
However, I think I have a fuel leak now and it occasionally wanders to either side, but that's for another post...

Thanks to all for your help, as ever.

Great success!