More Starting Problems

[Chris]

Hi all,

I had some problems with my starter motor; the thingy wasn't moving and the motor was just spinning. So today I took the motor out, and gave it a good clean. (I'm farly new to mechanics, and this was my first go at anything by myself)

After putting the motor back in, the battery was flat . So I managed to jumpstart it with no problems. After leaving it to run for 20 mins, I tried stopping and starting the engine, just as a test.

But then ,
When turning the key, a rapid clicking noise was heard, and the starter motor would not turn. After pressing the button on the solenoid (ignition on), no clicking noise was heard, and no starter motor was turning, all I could here was the fuel pump (I think).

Is this a dud solenoid?

Thanks for any help,
Chris

[Cam]

Sounds more like a flat battery.

The clicking is the starter solenoid reacting to a too low current capacity from the battery to supply the load. It keeps switching on and off due to it's supply voltage being decked by the load (starter motor). If you hold it on (with the button) then it won't click, but if your battery is too low, then it won't start either!

If you let the car idle for 20 mins, it won't have put any charge back in the battery (dynamo systems), so that's probably what happened.

Try again but switch the lights on, then press the button. If they go dim - flat battery.

You may have a charging problem or duff battery.

do the above check and get back to us for stage 2 of diagnosis!!

[Chris]

Lights went dim

My dad's hidden the battery charger, and he doesn't get back 'til staurday.

I don't think I'll take it for a run to charge up the battery, as I'm quite likely to stall it "learner drivers, tisk tisk"

Cheers,
Chris

[Willie]

Come on Chris...you own one of the few remaining cars which
has a starting handle, you don't need a fully charged battery to
start it! If you can get it going, in the daylight,with no lights
necessary, you will have recharged the battery enough to start
it on the handle should you stall,within five miles. The reason your 'thingy'
(the starter dog) did not engage was because the battery was,
it seems,low on charge. The only other reason for the dog not
engaging is,as you correctly diagnosed, stickiness which needs
to be cleaned off. Is your fan belt too loose?
Willie

[Cam]

Check the electrolyte level in the battery too. A few of us have been caught out with a low level this winter!!

I keep forgetting about the starting handle!! Thanks for reminding us, Willie!

[Chris Morley]

This seems to be the most common post in Winter . Whenever you have this situation (starter not working, battery goes flat) I always suggest jump starting the car if possible . With the added voltage from a good battery the starter should turn the engine quickly and the car should start within a second or two. If the starter still churns slowly then it needs replacing - a simple enough task. If nothing happens but the car starts O.K on the handle then it's the solenoid. If the starter works fine when jump started then look to recharging problems (Willie covered this) or a dud battery.

Often it's not appreciated that a flat battery needs recharging properly. The engine needs to rev at more than 1000 rpm. I guess it takes 15-20 minutes driving around to do the job properly. However if you're using lights, heater, wipers and other items then the battery hardly gets any chance to recharge, due to the limited recharging ability of the standard Minor dynamo.

Ideally, to avoid many hassles I would suggest fitting a heavy duty battery and owning a starting handle .

A battery has the hardest job to do in Winter - the low temperature reduces the battery's output , there is more engine resistance to the starter and damp in the electrics causes problems. However there is a lot you can do to avoid unnecessary battery drain. Whilst driving, try to switch off wipers/ lights/ heater whenever possible to allow recharging. If this can't be done on the move, leave the engine running when you stop (at very fast idle) for 30 seconds or more after switching off the electrical items. When starting in the morning shut the door & start the car FIRST before switching on anything which drains the battery. . With a borderline battery it can make all the difference .

[James - St. Helens]

For the cost you can not go far wrong with buying a new battery. That is if the battery is one that came with the car and its of a unknown year.
I like fitting large capacity battery on any cars that I own.

The other jobs like general servicing are well worth keeping on top off.

PS

Stuart has just bought a kit car with a Rover V8 engine and my Morris Minor has a bigger battery on it ( 650 Amps )

James.

[an_avenger]

I've tried starting with the handle and it nearly took my thumb off! Question: Why is the battery bay so big?

[grainger]

Question: Why is the battery bay so big?

perhaps your batteries shrunk !!

grainger

[olonas]

The old original batteries were bigger than their modern counterparts. Remember the Minor first appeared in the late 1940's so the size of the battery tray was probably never changed over the years.
I submitted a post some time ago about handle starting, it's probably still around.
Found it - 2nd Dec 2002 in mechanical, she won't start damn her.

[paulg]

This is my first submission - so please be gentle - it's a couple of comments on jumpstarting, handles and battery size.
Jumpstarting can be dangerous, there is always a risk (small but present) that the battery can explode. It has happened to me (once) and is fatal to the battery and can cause serious injury to eyes. Keep well away from either battery!
Handle starting is pretty safe if the excellent instructions mentioned in this forum are followed (my daughters can do it). Using the headlights for a short period can warm up the battery a little and help "feed" the coil.
I once put a very large battery in a mini 1000. The engine span at a terrific speed and a new starter motor followed soon after. Modern heavy duty batteries (even cheapish ones) have given 4 years of service each to me - with occasional top up charges.

[Chris]

Brilliant, after a good charge it started with no problems.

Thanks for all the help,
Chris