Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing +8 won't start.

Morning all ,yesterday I got the +8 out onto the drive, no problem, sat in it to go out and it would not start. Lights come on on dashboard and other things such as lights ,clock etc all OK but it won't even turn over. Tried to bump start in road then borrowed a jump start pack, changed battery in key fob but to no avail. Any ideas why it should just give up. Battery new last year by the way. Any ideas gratefully received - it's a 1999 by the way.

Have you checked the fuses? Did it trun over on jump starting?

Is there an engine cut out button on this model? If so, there'll be a soft reset button in the engine bay somewhere.

Earth to starterr? Do you have a voltmeter - you could test Power at the starter.

I'd start with fuses....

Thanks for replies. No it didn't turn over while trying to jump start.Yes I have checked the cut out button. I do have a voltmeter but am unsure how to use it. I am now checking fuses but there is no indication in the fuse box as to what works what. Mrs Wrinklie found a website but the fuses on there do not match my fuses,( it was Gomog.com ). But on taking the fuses out and checking them they all seem OK. I will now go and check the earths.

From experience a visual check might not show a problem with the fuse. Your mulitmeter should be able to help, if it has a continuity setting (beeps when the probes are touched), or use a resistance setting, set the metre to ohms and touch the leads together - you should get the same reading if the fuse is OK.

Thank for that. I am still trying. I think it may be the ingnition switch itself and have just rung for a price.

Assuming it's an old school wired car, the start position on the ignition switch will deliver volts to the starter solenoid, and that in turn is really a relay, as it makes the big current supply to the starter motor.

No idea whether it's a separate solenoid or integral with the starter motor on your car, but I did have a separate solenoid commit suttee. The fault was diagnosed without me needing to get a voltmeter out as it was all blackened and charred!

I've also had a starter brush stick which caused a failure in hot weather (at a Mog do - in the middle of a gymkhana). That was easily, if messily fixed, removed starter, took it to bits, exercised the brush holder, put back together and it worked for years afterwards.

Both of these faults were marked by the lights not dimming which shows the starter is not taking current.

Personally I'd not be changing the ignition switch without evidence. Got a pal who knows their way around electrics and know how to use a voltmeter/multimeter?

Be helpful if there was an approximate location in your user profile??

I'd agree with Martyn - check starter and solenoid first. There may also be a relay that feeds the starter solenoid. If you have a decent jump lead and can reach the back of the starter easily, you might try connecting battery to starter, just for a second or two to see whether the motor turns. Easiest to attach to starter first, then apply connector to battery positive.

Is there an immobiliser?
Some lights come on but if it's at fault then engine stays dead.
I sometimes forget to press my immobilser buttons on keyfob and that's what happens.