Starter pull (wont)

[linwinn]

Hello, I took the battery out of my Morris 1000 to charge it. (It came back from it's MOT with drained battery). All back okay - or so I think. Now the starter pull in car will not pull out at all. I recently moved and cannot find my manual so not sure what I should be looking for under the bonnet. Never had a problem with this before. Would appreciate some advice please.
Linda

[bmcecosse]

I hope it passed the MOT! So - does the 'pull' not move at all when you pull the knob -or does it pull ok - but nothing happens ? If the latter - maybe just loose/dirty battery connections? Or a flat battery again... Do the headlights work - and do they stay bright when you pull the starter?

[linwinn]

The pull will not budge at all. The battery shows as fully charged and the dashboard lights are bright when I turn key to on position. Yes, it did pass the MOT thanks.

[simmitc]

So, we're talking pre-1963 car with pull start. The knob is attached to a piece of wire, a bit like a choke cable which goes under/through dashboard to a bracket on the engine bay bulkhead, inside the car. There is a connecting tube with two grub screws to join the cable to the starter switch. On the other side of the bulkhead, under the bonnet, is the actual switch unit, just to the left of the battery as you look from the front of the car. It will have two thick cables, one going to the battery and one to the starter motor. Now that you know where everything is....

On the switch between the two thick cables is a rod sticking out. When you pull the starter knob, this rod will move in and then spring out when you let go. So, get an assistant to check what happens. It is very unusual for this to jam, but not known for it to not make contact. You can try pressing the rod in to see if the motor turns - check that the car is in neutral, ignition off, and all clear of moving parts.

It could be the cable-rod connector has slipped and now jammed, preventing the knob from moving.

Also, as Roy suggests, check that the battery is not flat. It should not have gone flat doing an MOT unless the idiots left the headlamps on and the engine off for the whole test, so we might be looking at a short circuit or charging problem, but they will not stop the starter knob from moving. only the engine from turning. Happy hunting.

[linwinn]

Many thanks for such a clear description. I will look in morning when I have someone to help me. Yes I had to leave the car overnight and they left a switch on the dash on! They restarted it with their power pack. Yes the car is a 1963 transitional. I do appreciate your help.

[linwinn]

Hi.
I have followed instructions but starter pull still won't move. I removed partition by steering wheel to get better access to the metal cord that runs from the starter knob (inside the car) there is some play there so it is not hitched up on anything that I can see. I can also feel a nut that holds the starter knob in place, but can't get to this easily (think I would have to take steering wheel off - and worried I will end up with a kit car!) I checked under bonnet. Removed battery again in case I had trapped anything. The rod between the battery connection and the the starter cable is only a few mm and doesn't move. I disconnected the length of starter cable top check that connection and that seems okay. I think it may need more expert intervention (or a hammer!). I have attached a few pictures in case that gives a clue. What I can't understand is it worked perfectly well before I took battery out to charge.[frame][/frame]

[linwinn]

2nd photo[frame][/frame]

[Trickydicky]

In your first pic between the two cables, can you press the pin that sticks out?, Keep the ignition switched off to try.
All this does is start the engine from the other end of the cable you pull in the car.
If it works then try with the ignition on and it proves the problem is with the cable and not the starter solonoid.

[linwinn]

Thanks Richard. It wont push in at all. Shall I try tapping it or WD40?

[Trickydicky]

Try tapping it gently first, it could be that someone has yanked too hard on it when starting the car. A spray of WD40 wont harm it either.
If that dosent work then it looks like a new starter pull switch

[linwinn]

Okay, thanks. Will try that in morning. Hopefully my tech CD will have arrived from MMOC soon, but think I may need to hand this job over to a mechanic (who understands Morris Minors!).

[simmitc]

The fact that the rod sticks out only 2-3mm, as can be seen in the photo, plus the slack on the interior cable, is clear evidence that the switch has failed. By all means try WD40 or similar and a gentle tap. Also, with the battery disconnected to avoid short circuit, try some mole grips to pull the rod/pin out - it should protrude about 3/8 - 1/2 inch. The switch looks to be far too clean to be original, so I suspect that it is a modern reproduction; and the most likely answer is going to be a new switch.

To start the car in the meantime, you can use the starting handle (take care on how you hold and use it) or a jump lead to short across the two terminals on the switch.

[linwinn]

Thank you all for your advice and help with this. I will let you know the outcome.

[linwinn]

Many thanks for all your help. I tried tapping the switch gently and a bit of WD40 - no success so left overnight - tried again and it had freed up. Running well now. I have also bought the helpful MMOC technical manual CD which is really helpful too.

[bmcecosse]

Great success ! Amazing stuff WD40...

[kennatt]

Amazing stuff WD40.........................................You turn coat roy

[bmcecosse]

It was tongue-in-cheek..... but it does help electrical contacts...