Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Electrical Problem

Hi Everyone,
Prior to taking my 1994 4/4 off the road for the winter I was experiencing problems starting the car. I now want to put the car back on the road but there is obviously an electrical problem. When I turn the key I get an initial clicking from under the bonnet then nothing. I've had the battery on trickle charge for weeks. I've also tried using a booster pack to get the car started but the same results. I'm no auto electrician so any advice welcome. I'm more than prepared to pay for someone to come out and carry out a full diagnostic on the car if there is anyone out there who offers this Morgan specific service. Phil

Assuming the battery is fully charged....

Starter solenoid may well be stuck.

Something I omitted to mention. During the summer/autumn months there were occasions where I'd go out for a drive but when I came to restart the car it would fail. Again, just the clicking. Occasionally I'd leave the car for 10 mins go back and it would then start. Its now at the stage described in my previous summary. Phil

Hi Peter, yes that sounds feasible and something I can check. To be honest Id prefer to get someone out who knows what they're doing as I feel an electrical health check would put my mind at rest.

Have a look at the battery terminals and engine earth strap first - if they are corroded or loose it can cause the symptoms you describe.

Engine earth strap is a classic failure point that gives conditions you describe. Of course ensure the battery is fine first, simplest way to do this, even if you have charged it and have a no start, is to pop a slave battery alongside it....this is easiest done with jump start cables and another car. If it starts your battery is suspect, if it still shows the same symptoms its time to look elsewhere. The next step is to use just one side of the jump cables and connect one clip to the battery earth (-) terminal and the other to a good clean connection on the engine, the bell housing bolt area is favourite. If the car now starts you have just about confirmed you need a new or cleaner earth strap. Simplest way to do this is pop another one on, you cant have too many earths!

Good luck, and please let us know how you got on.

I once had a hairline crack in the positive battery cable terminal. It was a classic example of being a know all, because I changed a load of components which were OK, and stumbled on the cracked terminal in a state of desperation. That new terminal cost about £3, plus the £200+ I'd spent getting there.

I agree check the earthing first

Earthing for a first check.
If you have long enough jump leads connect one to battery neg terminal.
Put other end on the starter mounting bolt. That bypasses all earth points. car should start. You can then move the connection point back to trace the poor earth point.
What I did on my 4/4 when I had her was all change all the earth straps for new, cleaning the metal to metal connections and covering them with petroleum jelly afterwards.
Battery to chassis...changed.
Front chassis to starter mount.....changed.

Hi Phil, Had a similar problem on my MGB, turned out to be the connection from the battery at the starter motor. Just tightened up the nuts. Another time found the battery was shot, wouldn't hold its charge even though it had been on a trickle charge all winter.

Good luck, hope that cures your problem.