Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aero Ser. 1 starter problem.

Hello.
I have recently bought a Ser.1 and it has started to play up, just clicking when I press the starter button.It is always left on a battery conditioner when in the garage.
I have done all the obvious stuff checking connections and jump starting from another battery but still no go.
I understand it is difficult to get at the starter but from an old post in 2013 I read that there is an easier way to get at the starter than the factory method, unfortunately the link no longer works.
Any advice appreciated.
Tom.

How new is the battery and how many volts is your meter showing as you try to start the car?

Aeros are notoriously sensitive to a below-par battery (even one which your conditioner says is fully charged). I trickle charge mine and it still needs a new battery every three years.

Can you borrow a different battery or jump start it to check?

Tom,
Sounds like you have done most of the actions to get the engine to fire. All the S1's seem to experience the clicking at some stage. A couple of things have helped for me, a new battery every couple of years and disconnecting the battery every time I put the car in the garage. I used a conditioner for a number of years and this seemed to kill my battery quicker so I have not used this for 2 years. You might try to call Keith at BHM who has a lot of experience with the S1. His suggestion to me some time ago, was to put the ignition on then press and release the starter button rapidly for 10 seconds or so. He also feels that not using the car often enough causes a light corrosion to build in the starting circuit.
On your other question the starter motor can cook in the engine bay which seems to cause premature failure, I had mine changed with Millers Commercials in High Wicolme 3 years ago. They have perfected a technique which accesses the starter from the side, this saves an engine lift. Others might be doing this as well.
Dave

Thanks Dave, I will try that tomorrow.
I suppose accessing from the side means the wing off, I have instructions for doing that, does not seem too difficult.

Hi Tom,
I suffered the same issue in my 2002 S1 and it was a faulty earth. Again, this is a common problem as I went through a fair number of batteries as well
T

Taffy makes a good comment - several of us have had issues with the grounding. You hit the button. The button triggers a relay which is the click you hear. The relay should then put the power into the motor.

The click but no reaction has often be an issue from the power and ground cables on the motor. Just remember to disconnect before you handle anything as there is a fair chunk of power about. Don't lick any cables

Tom
Yes, it is definately a wings off process for the starter motor access. I had it done by Brian Miller, who was a S1 owner and sponsored Morgan track racing. His son used this site a lot in the past Cerialsurfer, the notes on the Aero S1 in the topics list were posted by him. He sent me the image below which shows the starter motor after change on my car. He suspected this as one of the reasons for the clicking, although there seems to be multiple causes. You can also confirm there is a good earth when you get into the engine.
I am just off to celebrate, my car passed its MOT this morning.
Dave

From my experience I would spend a lot of time checking earths and connections before taking the starter out

To add to this I would ensure you have a good quality battery conditioner connected, Optimate or CTEK are the best.

I have used my Optimate on all the garage cars I have owned, never had an issue with the battery - including the Aero.

I do however keep my garage dehumidified, this reduces moisture and I believe is the main reason for Aero starting problems if the battery is ok due to corrosion on the terminals.

+1 for the Optimate!

The Plus 8 remains "start-able" for about 4 weeks if the battery is not kept fresh...

My garage is part of the house, the walls are insulated as is the roller shutter door. The temperature never falls below about 10c and humidity is typically the same as in the rest of the house.