Starting Problem (and hello!)
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 12:14 am
Hi all,
Just to say I've owned a Morris Minor for less than 48 hours and you all have proven to be a really valuable resource already so wanted to say a massive thanks to the whole club!
I grew up being driven around in my Parents green 1970 2 door saloon in the late 80's early 90's (which unfortunately was stolen and never recovered). Since then I have always wanted to own one myself and this Sunday I took a huge impulse and became the high bidder on a local car which needed (a lot) of TLC. I surprisingly/accidentally won the auction so have jumped straight into the deep end of Morris Minor ownership! This is really a project for the summer (and beyond hopefully) I have use of another car so I can afford to iron out some niggles and quirks whilst reminiscing on my youth.
So to my question and I apologise if this has been answered before somewhere (I'm just getting used to the forums) there are a few topics which appear to be closely related to my issue but not exactly (as far as I can see). When I picked up the car I knew it had been standing for a long time and the battery was dead, the owner had it running for me on arrival (after jump starting it) and I drove it home around 12 miles across London crossing my fingers that it wouldn't cut out and then be stranded. I managed to get it home switched it off and sure enough it wouldn't turn on again. The lights in the binnacle all illuminated and all electrics worked but wouldn't turnover at all. I presumed it was the battery or alternator so today have replaced it with the Halfords 038 one. However I still have the same problem! Your forums introduced me to the solenoid button under the bonnet and with the key turned on I pushed the button and it started straight away (this slightly annoyingly also worked with the old battery).
Clearly having to lift the bonnet to start the car isn't overly practical (also odd question but would that class as an MOT failure?)
I'm not quite sure what to do to start fixing this, I don't want to start pulling wires out of places I shouldn't or buying parts unnecessarily! Is this a common problem and is there an obvious fix? After reading some of the forums I thought it may have had a pull start retrofitted from an earlier model, but alas no. Just as background its a '69 1098cc 2 door Saloon 116k (and doubt it makes much difference) it has had an alternator fitted.
This is one of many jobs that are needed the list is becoming longer as I investigate; body work needs a lot of TLC, interior needs tidying, gearbox is "interesting", brakes are weak, haven't managed to open the boot yet as the handle fell off and the square bar is trapped inside (any ideas there?!). The MOT expires at the end of August but I plan to get it tested this weekend to see what is lurking I expect the brakes will fail either way but best to know if there is anything else more serious/out of my very novice expertise level before I get too carried away!
Thanks in advance for any advice and apologies for the essay!!
Sam
Just to say I've owned a Morris Minor for less than 48 hours and you all have proven to be a really valuable resource already so wanted to say a massive thanks to the whole club!
I grew up being driven around in my Parents green 1970 2 door saloon in the late 80's early 90's (which unfortunately was stolen and never recovered). Since then I have always wanted to own one myself and this Sunday I took a huge impulse and became the high bidder on a local car which needed (a lot) of TLC. I surprisingly/accidentally won the auction so have jumped straight into the deep end of Morris Minor ownership! This is really a project for the summer (and beyond hopefully) I have use of another car so I can afford to iron out some niggles and quirks whilst reminiscing on my youth.
So to my question and I apologise if this has been answered before somewhere (I'm just getting used to the forums) there are a few topics which appear to be closely related to my issue but not exactly (as far as I can see). When I picked up the car I knew it had been standing for a long time and the battery was dead, the owner had it running for me on arrival (after jump starting it) and I drove it home around 12 miles across London crossing my fingers that it wouldn't cut out and then be stranded. I managed to get it home switched it off and sure enough it wouldn't turn on again. The lights in the binnacle all illuminated and all electrics worked but wouldn't turnover at all. I presumed it was the battery or alternator so today have replaced it with the Halfords 038 one. However I still have the same problem! Your forums introduced me to the solenoid button under the bonnet and with the key turned on I pushed the button and it started straight away (this slightly annoyingly also worked with the old battery).
Clearly having to lift the bonnet to start the car isn't overly practical (also odd question but would that class as an MOT failure?)
I'm not quite sure what to do to start fixing this, I don't want to start pulling wires out of places I shouldn't or buying parts unnecessarily! Is this a common problem and is there an obvious fix? After reading some of the forums I thought it may have had a pull start retrofitted from an earlier model, but alas no. Just as background its a '69 1098cc 2 door Saloon 116k (and doubt it makes much difference) it has had an alternator fitted.
This is one of many jobs that are needed the list is becoming longer as I investigate; body work needs a lot of TLC, interior needs tidying, gearbox is "interesting", brakes are weak, haven't managed to open the boot yet as the handle fell off and the square bar is trapped inside (any ideas there?!). The MOT expires at the end of August but I plan to get it tested this weekend to see what is lurking I expect the brakes will fail either way but best to know if there is anything else more serious/out of my very novice expertise level before I get too carried away!
Thanks in advance for any advice and apologies for the essay!!
Sam