Morris Minor Owners Club

I've posted here as well as under heading Electrical in case the problem isn't electrical, though it probably is (this said I know virtually nothing about fixing Moggies.)
Am in mess.
The car stopped at a garage and wouldn't start again. Roadside repair came and re-tightened fan belt, started car. Got car to where I was going
then it wouldn't start again.
Have since done the following:
Tightened Fan Belt (double checked)
Changed and recharged battery fully (2 of them, both good)
Checked fuses
Checked wires (all on where should be)
Pushed on caps firmly (on distributor, coil etc)
Put in petrol (did in garage)
Indicators working perfectly, so it's not the battery.
Looked in manual but can't see diagram showing starter motor
(thought it might be the problem.)
Engine doesn't turn over. Just a dull click when I turn key in ignition.
Have to get moving by this avo.... all is sad

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If its a dull click and battery is OK and properly connected it could be a solenoid problem.

If your car has the type of solenoid with a button, try pushing the button to manually activate it (with ignition on), or failling that there is allways the starting handle (be careful not to let it catch your thumb if the engine kicks back) or a push start.

The 'dull click'is the usual symptom of a flat battery but,since you have fitted
a fully charged one, either the solonoid is operating(hence the click) but is not actually connecting the two thick battery leads together to supply power to the starter or the starter itself is faulty. As 'Chicken' says try the starter handle but do NOT grasp the handle with your thumb on one side and your
fingers on the other, all digits must be on the same side to remove the risk
of breaking your thumb if it kicks back. For future reference the ignition
circuit is NOT controlled through a fuse.

Thanks 4 help.
Where is / what is, the solenoid? Looked in both Haynes and Moggy handbook and it's not in index. (Starting handle gone.)

http://shop.morrisminorspares.co.uk/pop ... hp?pID=782

Except it'll be rotated round 90 degrees, not on its side like in that pic! Should be mounted just bellow and slightly to the left of the fusebox, and have two ruddy big wires going to/ from it.

If the solenoid doesn't have the button in the middle, then popping the rubber boots off the wires and shorting between with a chunky (and not precious!) screwdriver has the same effect, although it will have a tendancy to stick slightly to the posts......

Thanks, will go check it out now

There are several sorts of solenoid used over the years, but generally the key operated ones are on the cross member just below the battery and between the battery and the right hand (side of car) damper. Easy way to find it: Follow big wire from battery terminal - one will go to earth, the other to the solenoid.

Once you've found the solenoid you can bypass it by using a heavy duty crocidile clip, oreferably inuslated, (as on end of jump lead) to short across the two big terminals. This will provide power directly to starter motor without having to turn key. If the motor works then it's a solenoid problem. If not, then a start motor problem or (despite trying two batteries) another electrical problem.

NB ensure that you do NOT short from either of the big terminals direct to rest of car - that would make a big flash/bang and possibly damage battery.

Also check that the earth strap is well connected between the back of the gearbox and the gearbox supporting cross member - no return path for current = no starter motor.

Sometimes the starter motor just jams. There is a square shaft sticking out of the motor towards the front of the car. Put a spanner on here and turn it back and forth a few times, then try the starter again.

Sometimes the starter motor just jams. There is a square shaft sticking out of the motor towards the front of the car. Put a spanner on here and turn it back and forth a few times, then try the starter again.

Sounds like that to me, other ways to free it ignition off put in reverse and pull / tug the car forwars so it turns the engine if it is jammed you will here it free off or give the square end a sharp tap with a hammer.

Thanks, will try that in a bit

Almost certainly earth strap problem - from battery to body or from engine to body. But this what the starting handle is there for ! Learn how to use this very useful tool.