Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Dead Morgan. Resuscitation ideas?

I need your help.

My poor Moggy is very poorly and I'm hoping someone will be able to help me. I apologise from the outset as this will probably be a long and boring post so try to keep up!

Firstly the car... 1997 4/4 1800 Zetec.

Fault history... After too long laid up in the garage with a flat battery I tried to start the car. It turned over, just, and I continued to try to start it until the battery completely died. I charged the battery up and it turned over with plenty of vigour but it didn't fire at all.

I checked the fuses in the fuse panel under the dash and they were all OK. There was no power in the fuses from the ignition but the ones that feed the lights etc were OK.

A Thatcham immobiliser had been fitted by the previous owner so I re-programmed the fob but to no avail.

That was 18 months ago. I knew I was going to have to sort it out myself as the labour costs for a garage to do it could get out of control. The car has been on SORN since and languishing in the garage in a sulk.

Due to withdrawal symptoms and my mate motivating me to sort it out I've made a start at finding the fault. The first thing to do was to de-install the immobiliser. I was dreading this part but as it happened it wasn't as bad as I imagined. It had been fitted professionally with soldered joints so I methodically re-joined all of the wires and removed it.

I'm having to work from a wiring diagram in a Haynes Manual for the Ford Escort/Orion, which isn't the best, but it's all I've got. I've checked for various voltages around the start circuit and tested the fuel pump (which is good.)

I've also had the ECU checked out by a specialist company and they gave it a good bill of health.

So after spending a few days working on it I've got a better idea of what's wrong with it but I'm hoping that someone will be able to help me identify some areas I've missed.

This is the fault as I see it now...

New good battery fitted.

Battery master switch on.

Ignition switch on.

Only the top warning light illuminates. (Battery symbol)

The fuel pump doesn't prime. (it should run for a second to pressurise the fuel injection)

I have power on all wires coming from the ignition switch. Battery +ve and 2 wires with an ignition feed. The 4th wire feeds the starter solenoid.

I hope you're still with me?

Now comes the question which I need answering. Where are the relays? I've found 2 under the bonnet. They're for the fuel pump and the fuel injection. They check out electrically but aren't getting any power. There should be a main power relay (called the hold relay on my diagram) A relay for the indicators and the headlights too. I've looked around the inside and under the bonnet but haven't found them. Any ideas? There may even be some fuses as well with the relays which I haven't checked, possibly in an auxiliary box somewhere. It has occurred to me whilst writing this that I should put the indicators on and follow the noise to see if I can identify a location for the relay. I'll try that tomorrow.

I feel that as soon as I can get a ignition feed to my main fuse box, one powers the ECU, which then controls everything else, I'll be on my way to enlightenment.

All answers, guesses or pokes in the dark will be gratefully received, don't be shy!

I have no idea how long this post is until I submit it but it may be my longest ever!

I'm all ears.

Doc.


Oh, and before you ask, no I'm not a novelist!!