Morris Minor Owners Club

Gladys, 1962 4 door 948 cc, has a pull start.

Recently, when trying to start, there was a a tremendous whirr, rather like a ricocheting bullet.

Recently she has had starting problems due to a carb problem (fixed) and a short in the fuse holder and box, also fixed.

Since fixing the short in the fuse holder and fuse box, the ricocheting whirr has stopped.
However, I am now wondering whether I need to check the starter?
Does a pull start have a starter motor, or instead, a starter switch and what is the best way to test if everything is working fine?

Best wishes

Sounds like the small gearwheel on the starter (bendix, I think it is called) is jamming. Remove the starter and check that the shaft is clean and dry (no oil) and that the gear moves up and down the shaft freely.

All the pull start does is close the contact between the battery cable and the starter motor cable. You can do the same thing by pushing the other end under the bonnet.

look under the bonnet and on the bulkhead behind the drivers side you will see a smallbox with two leads one comes from the battery the other goes down to the starter motor. with the ignition off so that the car will not start,and out of gear (Important)push the little button in the centre of this box right in it should then turn the starter motor and the engine. if all you hear is a clattery noise and the engine is not being turned over .then the problem is either,the starter motor,probably worn bendix(Little cog on the end of the starter) or sticking bendix ,clean it up with degreaser.or swap for good starter or hopefully not in your case,a worn ring gear on the flywheel,look through the hole where the starter has come out and you will see the ring ,turn the engine over with the starting handle or bottom pully and look at the teeth there will be some wear ,there always is on an old engine but if excessive or many broken teeth then engine out to fit new ring(Hope not the case) sometimes even with a worn ring gear a new starter with new bendix will overcome the worn ring and it will be fine for many years. Could also be poor charge in the battery,not spinning the starter fast enough to throw the bendix out into engagement with the ring gear,hope this is all it is since easy fix make sure the battery is charged ,test with jump leads or good battery good luck.

Many thanks indeed to you for such detailed and easy to foolw advice.
Once again, I'm amazed at what a great resource this club is and the pool of knowledge within is tremendous.
Thank you again.
Best wishes
John 55621

The fuse box will have nothing whatsoever to do with 'starting' - all the Ign etc is completely un-fused.

Many thanks indeed.
Best wishes
John