Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, my 1000 won't start. It's not been used about 9 months. Prior to that I used it occassionally, and often had to charge the battery.
This time I have put it on charge. I then turn the key - the ignition light comes on & the needle on the fuel gauge moves (to approx 1/2). I pull out the starter button and there is absolutely no response. I tried turning the key again and no light - would this indicate I am not actually charging the battery successfully?? I put the clips on the battery while it is still bolted in.. I can add a pic after dinner.
Unfortunately the garage I previously used have moved away. Also we are having road works on monday and I need to try to move it off the road onto the drive so am under a bit of pressure!
Thanks

After 9 months your battery may not be charging at all.

It will take more than a charger on the battery to deliver power to start the car. have you tried jump starting from another car / put another battery in?

Quick way out - buy a new battery. Sounds suspiciously batteryish to me. Worst outcome is that you have a spare battery.
If you can, try starting on the crank handle. If the battery is only supplying ignition without the load of a starter, that can get you going.

Thanks - I haven't tried another battery or jump start or starter handle. If I'm to get another battery any suggestions what spec & where to buy - do they come fully charged? Presumably can get it delivered. Apologies, I'm a bit of a novice re the car (my partner took care of the car but passed away 3 yrs ago). Is a battery change an easy task?
I'll have a look for the starter handle, from memory it's a hell of a heave so not sure if I can ask anyone to try.

It's not been used about 9 months. Prior to that I used it occassionally, and often had to charge the battery.

That indicates the battery was failing prior to its 9 month of inactivity. I strongly expect the battery is dead.

The battery standard designator is the 075. The code in the top left corner may well be their way of marking the date of manufacture?

Other things to watch out for is loose or poor connections in the starter circuit and the charge rate of the dynamo/alternator.

The one most important thing about lead acid batteries is that they do not tolerate sitting at a low state of charge (ideally it should not be stored at less than 100% - ie it should be maintained fully charged throughout any period of non-usage).

Battery exchange is a matter of removing the two terminal contacts (earth side first) followed by battery removal and replacement, after releasing the retaining bar held in place by those wing nuts. After securing the new battery the battery terminals should be checked for cleanliness before refitting - the live side first, before the earth side.

This would be a suitable battery for you, the make is not critical but a battery number 038 and 45 a/h is fine. You may buy one cheaper than Halfords, however they would fit it for you.

I wasn’t aware that Halfrauds changed batteries free of charge - unless carried out on, or very close to, their premises. It might be difficult getting the car anywhere with the current battery fitted!

Yes of course, I didn’t think of that !! ——- or should I say overlooked that difficulty !

oliver90owner wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 8:36 pm I wasn’t aware that Halfrauds changed batteries free of charge - unless carried out on, or very close to, their premises. It might be difficult getting the car anywhere with the current battery fitted!

They certainly do Naff All for free,.
I've just put my Ford Kuga in their website to check prices (they don't recognise Basil's Reg No ) and it's £30 to fit it. A simple 10-15 minute job.

Then I put in the reg of wife's Corsa .. ....and it pushes Stop/Start Batteries for a 2014 Corsa to the top of the list, so it can't tell from the Reg if the car has Stop/Start and as for prices....
Same car, same job, so why different fitting price mark-up... incredible... Incidentally, that first battery on the list, the Yuasa YBX9096... you can get that from reputable online, next day delivery, from about £140 incl delivery..

janemall wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 7:06 pm Hi, my 1000 won't start. It's not been used about 9 months. Prior to that I used it occassionally, and often had to charge the battery.
This time I have put it on charge. I then turn the key - the ignition light comes on & the needle on the fuel gauge moves (to approx 1/2). I pull out the starter button and there is absolutely no response. I tried turning the key again and no light - would this indicate I am not actually charging the battery successfully?? I put the clips on the battery while it is still bolted in.. I can add a pic after dinner.
Unfortunately the garage I previously used have moved away. Also we are having road works on monday and I need to try to move it off the road onto the drive so am under a bit of pressure!
Thanks

Well certainly check to see if the power is actually connecting to the Starter, if you have a meter or even a 12v test lamp, that Battery terminals are clean and tight etc.
The fact that the lights are in the Speedo at the first try, but then even they stop working.....
That is certainly all the symptoms of a dead/dying battery.
Oldham Batteries went to the wall around 9-10 years ago, so the battery is at least that old.
As in the Monty Python sketch, it is a Dead Battery, it is no more....

If I were you I'd get some help to get it onto the drive, perhaps someone with some Jump Leads to start it, and then order a new battery...

Honestly. It has been 9 months......Accumulators as my mother called them (it is VE Day) do not like to be left discharged. This never worked well due to the chemistry involved. Is there any power there? Most likely the connections are dirty and corroded. They used to swap their accumulators for a charged one to work the wireless. There were great banks of them .......


Stephen

Thanks everyone. I was able to tell the local garage probably the battery, they came round today replaced it & it started!! . Cut out a couple of times so they said fuel pipe in engine bay leaky. They were able to drive it to the garage to hopefully sort it out. I've asked them to do a minor! service too. Thanks again

It's very nice to know there is advice here, as I feel a bit at sea! You've all given me faith in humanity!!

Where abouts in SW London are you as the London South Central branch are a very friendly and helpful bunch.

London South Central Branch www.facebook.com/MMOC-London-SouthCentr ... 732843042/
Richard Harris / richard.londonmmoc@gmail.com Meet: 1st Wednesday of the month @ 7:15pm (not Dec) / Leather Bottle, 538 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London, SW17 0NY / Please contact to inform of attendance

Ah thanks for that info. That's not too far from me