Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,

Recently my battery was flat and I tried turning the engine over with the ignition switch (on the dashboard) and after a few attempts it's seem to have 'locked', preventing me from turning the engine over.

I can turn the ignition on with the key but not the engine over, and the only alternative to turn the engine over is via the red switch in the engine bay.

Is there any solution to fix the ignition switch on the dashboard?

Kind Regards,

Mr_Moggie.

Not quite understanding the problem. If the battery is flat, then it won't turn the engine. Simple. By "the red switch", do you mean the button on the top of the solenoid? If yes, then if the engine is turning, the battery must have a good charge, so the solenoid might not be working - is the red/white lead form the ignition switch attached correctly, or has it become disconnected - that would prevent the solenoid from operating. Why did the battery go flat in the first place? How was it charged, and is it holding its charge? When you say that the engine is locked, is it seized? Will it turn when using the handle? Is it really the engine that is locked, or just the starter motor - if the latter, will it disengage when you turn the engine by hand?

The battery is charged (I charged it yesterday) and the engine turns over via the red button on top of the solenoid and I haven't checked the connection yet.

All good points above -so does it start and run when you use the solenoid? The ignition switch may need renweing - or the solenoid - check all the connections first. If so still no go, come back and we will guide you how to test it.

Yes the solenoid is fine It's just when I try to turn the engine over via using the ignition key it's as if the ignition switch on the dashboard is locked tight, I theorized that it was seized but I tried today and it's no different, could it be jammed? Thank you for the help everyone I really appreciate it .

So - when you try to turn the key to the second position - it refuses to move against the spring ? Or - it does move, but nothing happens ?

Ah thank you I'm understand what I mean .

I mean that it refuses to push against the spring - should I take it out and inspect it?

Well yes - does sound like that - although a wee squirt of WD40 may work wonders! If you go to take it out - disconnect the battery!

Ok, thank you, I'll give it a nice dose of WD40 .

Eureka! Thank you very much for the help! I sprayed it right into the key hole and it's working fantastically Thank you ever so much, I really appreciate your help everyone .

Just be wary in case it sticks ON - running the starter all the time ! Be ready to pull the small wire off the solenoid if that happens....

Ah, ok thank you, I'll bear that in mind if it should happen (let's hope it doesn't! ) Thank you very much .