Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Engine doesn't start - only rattling noise!?

When I tried to start my Morgan today, the engine wouldn't start, but there was a rattling noise - like a machine gun.

Does maybe the starter pinion not engage properly?
I tried to move my Morgan a bit so that the teeth of the gears come into a different position, but this didn't help.
(Since it is parked in a duplex garage, I have no room in the front and I can't push it upwards.).

Can you relate to the error description rattling noise instead of starting engine?
And how to solve the problem?

It's likely to be low voltage from the battery, either because the car has not been used for a while or the battery is failing. There is not enough power to spin the starter motor fast enough for the teeth to engage with the flywheel

If you can, try jump starting.

Thank you, that sounds easy to fix ... fingers crossed.

Yes charge the battery or fit a new fully charged one.

What is very likely happening is that battery charge and/or capacity has reduced to such a low level that when the starter is operated, the current drain drops battery voltage to such a level the solenoid that piggy backs the starter itself drops out. Current draw is removed and battery volts rise just enough for the start sequence to repeat. This typically happens several times a second hence machine gun sound.

I use one of these maintenance chargers on my little used vehicles :-

https://www.amazon.de/NOCO-present-automatic-intelligent-batteries/dp/B0828K688S/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=17XSR28SMCEPJ&keywords=genius+charger+2A&qid=1692139515&sprefix=genius+charger+2%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Thank you very much for your advice.
It was indeed just the battery.
After recharging it, it started again normally.

Great news and thank you for letting us know it's all sorted.

Maybe such experiences are less familiar to the younger generation brought up with reliable easy starting vehicles. I wonder if milder winters have some bearing as well.

Back in the freezing mid winter day there was a well recognised dawn chorus of attempted car starts as over optimistic owners tried in vane to coax a knackered or near flat battery to drag a reluctant engine into life. Listening whilst still in bed you just knew with each attempt there was a downward spiral which would culminate in the machine gun noise as the battery threw in the towel.

On the odd occasions the car did start under such conditions it was a common observation for the owner to punish the obstinate car by screaming the ice cold engine

do be aware that letting a battery discharge that far (especially if it is glass mat) seriously shortens the life of the battery