Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Immobiliser, tow loop and Morgan recovery

I bought my first Morgan, a Plus 4, in November 2015 and am enjoying ownership a lot. As a new lad, I'm still very green and am learning by experience. Unfortunately I was found out yesterday by naivety and ignorance, thankfully remedied to a large extent by talkmorgan.

At about 4pm, we returned to the car after a 2 hour walk around Derwent Resevoir (County Durham) and the unimaginable happened, the car wouldn't start. We received some kind advice from 2 fishermen in full regalia and a Saab 99 enthusiast. No improvement. I was pretty sure it wasn't the battery, lights, horn etc all fully in order and the car battery is well cared for. There was just nothing from the starter motor, not a squeak. I contacted my local Morgan garage who couldn't suggest any quick fix. I then contacted Morgan recovery who were quite quick to send a man and a lorry. Apart from trying to use an independent battery pack, no ideas and therefore yanked up the lorry ramp and driven to Beamish Morgan. (This wasn't a good experience, I was concerned at towing the vehicle using the bottom cross tube and it was painful to witness and try to control a rather heavy handed attitude to the pride and joy).

The recovery man was kind enough to drop us off at home however after leaving the car outside the said garage, (about 7pm) now protected by a John Taylor storm cover!

This was the point at which things quickly picked up. A quick search through talkmorgan and a very valuable photo of a key with a removed immobiliser chip. (Thanks 'rog' 2012).
Check pocket, find loose chip and plastic insert, refit, return to car, start car, arrive back at home about 8.30pm.

A bit embarrassing really but I thought I would mention some fundamental knowledge I've gained from the episode which might help someone in the future.
A) there is a chip inside the ignition key which is needed to start the car (if you have an immobilser fitted)
B) there is a dedicated tow loop on the underside of the front cross tube?
C) Morgan Recovery isn't the 5 star roadside service I had previously believed it would be.
D) use talkmorgan whenever you have a chance, there is a mass of knowledge and experience available.

I'm now about to go to the garage and ask for forgiveness, I don't think there will be any lasting damage from the recent trauma.

Keith
2010 +4

Pleased all worked out Keith.

It's all part of the learning to love a Morgan!

Glad it ended well

Same thing happened to a Morgan owner at last year`s Donington Historic - had to be recovered - then found the chip in his pocket.

I understand your pain, and subsequent relief.
As a fellow greenhorn (one year only as a Morganite), I have learnt much from TM.
If in doubt, someone will have some good thoughts and ideas.
And there is a wealth of history to search on (including key issues).

Welcome, and enjoy!

Interesting point about the danger of the transponder chip falling out of the key fob, because if you don't know you don't know, do you? It was never explained to me at the point of purchase; I only found out via Talk Morgan. Since then I have hidden a key in the car where it will never be found and my wife always takes her key whenever we are out together.

I was advised by a dealer to superglue the transponder into the fob but I'm not sure about that. I seem to recall JohnV6 suggested a touch of nail varnish to hold it in place, which sounds a better option.

The old 'Fleet Managers' trick with a fleet of Fords with this kind of key back in the day was a small drop of Arraldite on the outside of the key over the chip end. It sets to a smooth finish so no snags and if the chip needs removal for any reason can be peeled off with a penknife. It's just enough to hold the chip in place.

Sounds eminently sensible advice. I'd use Araldite Rapid for this, it's a good choice when you might want to get the thing apart. If needed, the Rapid version goes like cheese if boiled in soapy water. You'll not do that with the 24 hour version.

Great post and most importantly - a happy ending.

Fantastic and useful post with a good outcome.