Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing !***@#! wont start!!

Any thoughts on this -

2003 Plus 8 (Rover 4lt V8) - Won't start - on turning key instrument lights go out but just a "click". The battery is fine, almost new and fully charged having been on a battery charger/conditioner. Immobiliser seems to deactivate on pressing the key fob button (red flashing light on the dash goes out with an audible click) and fob battery changed. Tried a different key - same problem. Tried a jump starter but that wouldn't work as the battery is fully charged.

All this was after a 100+ mile round trip with various stops and no problems over the previous few days.

Suspecting that the immobiliser is not actually deactivating (even though the warning light goes out), or maybe a connection problem to the starter motor.

Any of the assembled experience here got any ideas? - can the immobiliser be deactivated or bypassed to see if that is the issue?

Ken

Try the starter solenoid relay Ken. It might be under the dash, but they get moved around.

In 2005 my Roadster has the bank above the steering column, accessible if you kneel down outside the car and peer under the dash.

Starter is the one on the right in 2005 (Not the big one!)

https://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/24637/2

If it's clicking the starter relay is probably ok. With a wooden mallet or soft hammer tap the piggy back starter motor solenoid firmly whilst someone else turns the key. This will often loosen same stuck by light corrosion.

Not long before I sold my MGV8, I had clicking non start. Being way too smart I changed everything, and it didn't improve. That turned out to be a hairline crack in the battery positive terminal which fitted around the battery post. Invisible, fully charged battery, and after spending a shedload on replacing everything, the real cost was a couple of ££.

Just read your post again Ken and instrument lights going out (maybe just dimming?) indicates not enough voltage to them with jump leads making no difference. Suggest therefore checking battery leads and connections, particularly the earth strap from chassis to engine block as the effect of any resistance in the leads will be greatly increased by the high current demand from starter, reducing volts to same and elsewhere, similar to DaveW's experience above.

Yes, I'm with Richard too. Thought your journey might have finally loosened a battery connection. Don't just tighten it rather loosen it first and prise open the lugs, Think you might be surprise how much lower the connecter will go on the battery post, then tighten as normal. What happens is every time you remove the lead then retighten it, the compressible distance between the lugs lessens until its non-existent. so even though the fastening seems tight the connector is not tight on the battery post.

You said the instrument lights dimmed on start position, Do the headlights come on, if so put them on and try a start. If the lights go out on the start key then its power, so battery connections and then earth connections. Is the click under the bonnet, if so that's a starter solenoid switch. big block right next to the starter motor with red wire attached. could be stuck or not enough power. could also be a starter motor stuck the return spring mechanism could be damaged or probably dirty. Put the car in gear and rock it backwards and forwards this should free it off! As Richard said if it sounds like the click is coming from the solenoid a gentle few taps with a non metallic tool, nylon mallet should do it but again the contacts can corrode here too!

Check the earths! I had similar on my 4/4 a few years ago. Cleaned, refitted ( one new earth strap as well), Petroleum jelly to help protect. Cured a similar problem to yours.
When I had my Plus8 ( 4l like yours) an earth check/clean was done as a general maintenance. The wiring on a Morgan is exposed to the elements in many areas so checks are a good idea. Wiring and connections age and your car is at least 20 years old ( last Plus8 with 4l made in 2004) so worth a going over.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Checked most of the things you suggested - I think it may be the starter solenoid relay, but I cant get to it without dismantling the dash completely - with the dash pulled out as far as I can without removing all the instrument connections, I can see the relays attached to the bulkhead, but can't quite reach them - the clicking is from that area, though. AA on their way to have a look but I suspect he will suggest it should go to a Morgan specialist to get at that area. Will let you know what the AA think!

Ken

Ken, Have you tipped the dash forward, ie rolled the top in towards the car. You should be able to access everything quite easily with the dash rolled face down? Often the relays just need a wiggle to remake a good contact.

No practical experience of your year of Morgan, but burned contacts on the relay supplying power to the starter motor`s solenoid, was common in earlier Morgans such as my mid 80`s +8, hope it turns out to be as simple as a plug in relay replacement, and if so perhaps carrying a spare might be thought worthwhile...
hope your AA man/woman, sorts it out in jig time..