Morris Minor Owners Club

Thought you might be interested to hear what happened to Brian (my Moggy) at the weekend.....

When I started the engine on Saturday it made a nasty noise, which my housemate described as a lawnmower. I called my Dad over, and rang the local specialist who suggested the alternator. We had a listen but didn't think it was coming from there. Changed the alternator over anyway, just in case, and it was fine all day.

Sunday morning (day of the classic car run). Started car, got lawnmower noise again. I was not too happy, as you can imagine. Then my Dad suggested something, which fixed the problem. Can you guess what it was?

The key was not flicking back after starting, so it kept trying to start the car when the engine was going, and turning the key back a notch sorted it out. The reason changing the alternator helped was that Dad had then put the wrong key in, which flicks itself back with no problems!!! At least we can return the new alternator.

At least we can return the new alternator.

and start saving for the new starter motor......

Quote:

At least we can return the new alternator.


and start saving for the new starter motor......

and replace the starter-ring...

its not the starter motor thats the problem.... its the lock barrel!

Yes, BUT the starter will constantly be trying to mesh in with the spinning flywheel ring gear! Which will not do the ring gear or the starter pinion much good (it was that that was causing the lawnmower noise!).

It probably has not done too much damage though.

No point in replacing it if you dont have too.... and unless it was run like that for a prolonged time it is unlikely there will be enough damage to warrant a replacment, it will probably die a few thousand miles earlier (but the teeth dont readily wear out anyway - do they? )

but the teeth dont readily wear out anyway - do they?

Not under normal conditions - unless they are smashed into the starter pinion (as in this case!).

No point in replacing it if you dont have too.... and unless it was run like that for a prolonged time it is unlikely there will be enough damage to warrant a replacment

Very true. That's what I would do............

See! im not as silly as people make out i am..... :p

See! im not as silly as people make out i am.....

its not the starter motor thats the problem.... its the lock barrel!

True!

If you're really 6'5" I'll keep my thoughts to myself....

Lol actually im slightly taller than that! 6foot 5 and a half

Well the half certainly makes all the difference...

I am having a new lock barrel put in this week, and I'm not planning on changing the starter motor until it breaks! We did have the engine running for a while when we were trying to locate the noise, so I must admit I'm a bit worried about what other damage it has done.....

I will soon have 5 different keys for my car - I will have to start labelling them

lynda,
One or 2 of the places that do the locks will be able to sell a lock to match your original key , or convert your other locks to use the same key, or sell you a matching set for the car.