Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Dead Roadster

Oh, dear. I've had my Roadster a couple of months as a daily driver (yes, through the wet autumn and the cold snap) without issue, but today, having washed it in the sunshine, it won't start - just clicking noises and no action. Some oddness, too - fuel gauge reads empty with a range of zero miles, but there are at least five litres in the tank.

I had hoped my (very) limited mechanical ability wouldn't be exceeded on a Morgan, but I can't even find the battery! It has been sitting on the drive for three days unused, but otherwise as normal. And no, I didn't jet-wash it!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

I'd think the state of the battery would be the first starting point ... on my old thing it's under the bonnet ... on later cars it's under the panel behind the seat near the rear axle. After that try earthing points.

Try putting the headlights on .... if they're dim the battery is probably flat .... if they're bright do they dim when the starter is tried ... if so then the battery should be suspected again ... if not possibly a solenoid/starter fault.

K

There are instances of other Morgan models discharging batteries more quickly than you might expect when the car is not being used.

In your shoes, I would start by measuring the battery voltage - which you should be able to do at the starter motor. No idea where they put the battery on a late model 4 seater, but if its not under the bonnet, you could start by looking under the rear seats.

Hopefully someone who knows 4 seaters will be along in a minute.

I think the battery is under the rear seats.

Open the fuse box and press down the relays. On mine one had a nasty habit of coming loose , pushing down solved it.

On my S1 Roadster the earths got corroded and when damp something similar happened. Try a jump lead from the starter earth to the chassis.

Good luck

The battery is accessible from behind passenger seat by removing access panel or from above by removing tool tray on two seaters so would guess somewhere similar relative to rear seats. As suggested I would check state of charge. The clicking starter solenoid bears all the trademarks of a near flat battery. Other issues found will follow.

Parked outside in the low temps we've had can significantly effect battery voltage, the clicking starter solenoid is typical of this

Check the voltage now (as a base record) and then give the battery a really good charge

You don't say hold old your Mog is...some 3.7's are 10yrs old now & OE battery would be on borrowed time

It could be the end of service life of the battery. A lot of Mogs are not used so frequently than yours. There I would think they are just not charged enough. But if you drive her daily the battery should be charged if not broken. All the other possible faults mentioned could also be realistic. A good charged battery should measure 12.5V.

There is a scenario particularly in the winter where a car batteries state of charge diminishes even if used daily. If the journey is not long enough the extra drains from wipers, heater fan, heated screen, lights etc. do not allow time enough for alternator to fully replenish battery.

Richard ... we have exactly that on our Rover estate at the moment .... starting a big diesel in cold weather just to drive it a few miles in the dark with half the electrical gizmos working overtime ... I give it a top-up charge weekly or starting gets to be distinctly sluggish!

K

Good ploy K

Although lead/acid batteries don't have "memory" per se there is in the above scenario the situation where battery is charged to 90% SOC before charge current drops off for the last 10% then 90% of 90% next time and so on in the downward spiral.