Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) help needed - 4/4 Sport doesn't start

Hi everyone -

I tried to start my new (!) 4/4 after not using it for a month and no reaction - not even any warning light...

ok - battery dead (I read the manual which said battery is service free... ). I bridged it and all the waring lights are showing signs of live and some noise for 2 secs (I assume fuel pump)... however no reaction if I turn the key further...

Any ideas on that?

Second question: I parked the car in my underground parking with the front showing towards the wall. And of course the car is not moving anymore (brake pads "sticking" to disk)...

Any ideas were to fix a tow at the back of the car (the 4/4 is very practical on that - without bumbers or overriders and no luggage rack...). I guess I need to tow the car to a garage?

Many thanks for any help

sven

Sven,

It most definitely sounds like a dead battery.

Can you put a trickle charger on it and leave it for a few hours? Or is their no power sockets near the car?

As an alternative, jump start it from another vehicle (obviously with the engine running).

If the car was put away wet, your deduction regarding the brakes is almost certainly the correct one - a little spirited braking should sort that out.

no rear-towing point on my Roadster,
had one "made/fixed" for it
imho: jumpstarting
and then the brake-pads "easely" but "noize" unstick from the disk

Thanks for your ideas -

I already tried to jump start with another car - all the warning lights got on and some buzzing for 2 secs - so the car “seemed” to be alive. However, when I fully turned the key, nothing happened... still all the warning lights were on but no reaction – can it be that the starter motor got not “enough” power from the other cars battery? (the other car was a new 12V 44 AH battery)? Should I ask someone with a diesel car (I think they use more powerfull battery? - or would this be too much???)

The thing with the brakes is, that after failing to jump start the car, my second thought was to pull the car to a garage with a tow... but were to fix it at the rear side to get the car out of the parking lot (it doesn't move at all).
Simon, I will try the spirited braking while the car is standing and will let you know tomorrow about the results...

Again many thanks -

sven

This could be the immobiliser. Apparently there's a wire close to the ignition key hole which senses something in the key which allows the car to start. Try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes (it might then 'reset').
If that fails ring the factory or the dealer and ask.

Sven, one of the 4/4 Sport owners will come along soon to answer this question; however, I wonder if you need to reset the ECU. The Aero models do not like their batteries running flat and this usually throws up all manner of issues with the ECU - almost always requiring a 5-minute reset of the ECU (basically, you press the reset, leave the car for 5-minutes, push the reset switch (fuse) back into place and then start the car).

As for your question reference the jump-start - I would make sure the engine is running on the car that you are taking the feed from - attach the cables - leave it about a minute before trying to start the Morgan and then have the person rev the engine (lightly) on the 'feeder' car whilst you try to start the Morgan. I should say that I am not a mechanic but when I had an issue with one of my cars, this is what I was told to do and it worked (I did try it another time and I'd actually killed the battery - so it didn't work!; however, that seems unlikely in this case). Therefore, please take my advice as that of a layman, not an expert when it comes to jump starting a car!

Your hints gave me hope again

About this ECU reset... Do I just need to de-connect the battery for some minutes and it resets automatically or do I need to press in addition a reset button (if so, where is this button???)

I fear it will be quite a challange to actually de-connect the battery as the access is very "limited"...

Cheers for your help

Sven,

Don't know about ECUs on Morgans, but when jumpstarting a modern car take care because there are risks of ECU damage (apparently).

An RAC patrolman who came to my Subaru when the battery was flat, told me that the correct procedure having started your car is to leave the batteries connected and run both engines for five minutes or so to put some charge in the flat battery. Then switch off both engines and with your ignition off remove the leads. Then restart your car on it's own battery.

He said that they were taught that the ECU risk occurs when you remove the jump leads with the engine running because of the potential for sudden voltage changes and even spikes.

I'm not an expert but am passing on the advice that I was given even though it's not relevant to my toys which are all pre ECU!

Hope you get sorted out

Malcolm T

Sometimes cheap jump start cables are not up to the job. If they get hot, look for better ones (thick copper, the cheapies are often aluminum).

Frank

sorry can't help battery/starting issue, but sticking brakes - put your foot on wheel spinner and kick hard, brakes will free off, then push back to allow access to front tow eye