Morris Minor Owners Club

I was in a rush to pick up a parcel and foolishly left the car in 3rd gear and handbrake off.
When I cam back I tried to turn on the ignition (whilst in 3rd gear and handbrake off) and the engine locked.
The RAC guy banged the starter motor with a rubber hammer and it started.
Its been fine ever since.
Did this happen because I tried to start the car whilst in 3rd gear? or does my starter motor need servicing?

Hello Cyril, it happened because the starter jammed due to trying to start the engine whilst in gear.
If it has been OK since then chances are no damage done.
If you do get occasional starter jams in the future come back on here and someone will give you chapter and verse on starter problems/cures.
Main thing to remember is NEVER oil the starter pinion/bendix.

At the time - all you had to do was to rock the car in gear - and it would have disengaged. Always make sure the engine is in neutral when starting...it's basic stuff.....

don't know why or if it does any good or bad ,but I always start a car with the clutch down,and extra careful in hire or strange motors

There are arguments for and against 'clutch down' - reduced gearbox drag against increased carbon thrust drag, and extra drag from forcing the crank against the thrust washers with little or no oil flow...... I just check it's in neutral......

There seems to be a fair few 'moderns' where you have to press the clutch before the starter motor will operate... Took me ages (and an embarrassing phone call) to get a customers Jeep started.
With Minors, I agree with Roy, I'd long ago come to the conclusion that thrust bearing drag is greater than gearbox input shaft drag and the engine turns over a bit faster just in neutral, but for safety as no doubt the reson for Jeep and others, clutch down allways gaurentees that you don't jerk forwards and clobber something/someone.....

Thanks folks. Knowledge is power and all that. Wont make that mistake again