Morris Minor Owners Club

Daughter went to drive her “new to her” 1963 four door, standard engine, to work this morning and it would not start. Battery good but engine would not turn over. Looks like there is no current getting to the starter motor. Is a failed solenoid the most likely culprit. If so is there any easy way of checking. The car was going fine last evening. Is a solenoid something that will suddenly fail?
Any help or advice as always gratefully received.

A solenoid can suddenly fail and there are some really rubbish modern reproduction types. I have had one get stuck in the on position which is rather alarming. More likely is a bad connection somewhere. Check connections at battery terminals, solenoid and starter motor.

The original solenoids had a button you could push which will start the car from under the bonnet (with ignition on). You might still have that type.

You can test the starter motor by connecting a jump lead directly from the live battery terminal to the starter motor live terminal. Be careful. It draws a big current

If it is the solenoid at fault do not skimp and buy a cheap one.

Starting handle?

Myrtles Man wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 9:08 am Starting handle?

Definitely what I would do but there’s a knack to it!

There is a knack, but its not difficult in any way. In fact, as long as the engine is set up properly and 'in tune' it will start easily on the handle. But whether you try and start by pushing the under-bonnet button (if you have one) or use the handle, make sure the car is out of gear first!

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 10:15 am There is a knack, but its not difficult in any way. In fact, as long as the engine is set up properly and 'in tune' it will start easily on the handle. But whether you try and start by pushing the under-bonnet button (if you have one) or use the handle, make sure the car is out of gear first!

I did an experiment with the starting handle. It’s rather tricky with a Hall effect electronic ignition fitted. Easier with standard points. Cold engine can be slow to start but a doddle with a hot engine. Can be potentially dangerous on a car with unknown ignition timing (kick back). Thumbs out of the way!

Starting handle has been my “party trick” since my teens

When I first had a car I used to start it regularly with a starting handle - largely because a battery was so expensive in those days. I've never found it particularly difficult and it's certainly a good thing to have mastered in case you need it one day
As others have said, probably the switch, solenoid (depending on the model) or the starter.

svenedin wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 10:54 am

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 10:15 am There is a knack, but its not difficult in any way. In fact, as long as the engine is set up properly and 'in tune' it will start easily on the handle. But whether you try and start by pushing the under-bonnet button (if you have one) or use the handle, make sure the car is out of gear first!

I did an experiment with the starting handle. It’s rather tricky with a Hall effect electronic ignition fitted. Easier with standard points. Cold engine can be slow to start but a doddle with a hot engine. Can be potentially dangerous on a car with unknown ignition timing (kick back). Thumbs out of the way!

Starting handle has been my “party trick” since my teens

Yes, it can be both difficult and potentially dangerous if the timing is too advanced due to 'kick-back'. That is why I mentioned the engine must be properly set-up and in tune. The majority of hard-to-start issues (whether on the starter motor or the handle) are due to a fault in the ignition system - either a component failure or a faulty set-up.

Thanks for all your replies especially the one that actually referred to the issue of the solenoid! Cleaned all the terminals as suggested and it all seems to be working fine again.
Best wishes

Excellent! A 1963 car probably just has a pull switch doesn't it? They can sometimes fail to make contact.

Andyhereford wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 12:55 pm Thanks for all your replies especially the one that actually referred to the issue of the solenoid! Cleaned all the terminals as suggested and it all seems to be working fine again.
Best wishes

Marvellous! 12 volts is not much potential difference. Dirty or loose contacts can really mess things up to the point of “no go”. This is despite a large current to the starter. That’s why the wires are so thick.

Although you appear to have it sorted now by cleaning terminals, it's worth mentioning that when I had the same symptoms almost a year ago, it was the battery connection.
See this link for the tale... viewtopic.php?t=75196

Thanks Geoberni
Have checked the battery leads on my daughters car and they both look alright. However the positive lead on my Morris does have a slight kink on it that a previous owner has covered up with insulation tape. Will have a closer look under the tape and will replace it if needed.