Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Engine Misfire, now won't start

Hello Everyone,
Longtime listener, first-time caller.
First let me say that I have admired the M3W for probably 15 years, and I finally pulled the trigger and bought one from auction (thanks BAT!) and I accepted delivery of my 2013 British Racing Green beauty just over a week ago (Monday). LOVE IT! It is everything that I had hoped for, and my lovely wife concurs.
We were out for a nice run this last weekend, enjoying the absolutely perfect driving weather this last Sunday around DFW.
I was coming onto the highway, accelerating on the on-ramp, when I heard a pop from the engine and lost power. I was able to keep running, albeit with an odd tapping noise, to get to my son's house. Low power, and I felt like only one cylinder was firing (yes, still enough horses to run on one cylinder!).
This was confirmed when I reached his house and shut down, the left (driver's side) exhaust was only hot, while the right (passenger side) was scalding.
I let it sit for a bit, but it would not start at all when it was cooled down completely.
It turns over.
I checked for spark from both plugs and confirmed spark.
I checked for fuel pressure at the Schrader valve on the fuel line with a tire gauge and it maxed out at 50 psi.
I had it towed home (flat bed).
I have since checked the timing belt - solid, no miscellaneous bits.
I hooked up a laptop using the S&S Pro Tune II v4.0, and the only error codes are P0170 Front Adaptive Maxed Out and P0173 Rear Adaptive Maxed Out.
When the key is turned on, fuel pump whines. I have not removed or checked the fuel filter.
I am not sure where to go from here? How do I verify fuel is getting in the cylinders or check the EFI?

ANY and all ideas or help are appreciated!

Oh! on a side note, the left rear signal light works sometimes, and sometimes it does not. Also, If the headlights are on when I turn off the motor, the left front headlight will stay on, but at half the brightness of normal. Is this normal? Connected? one of the endearing oddities of owning a Morgan?

Thanks!

The fuel pressure should be 58psi so I would think the fuel pump the most likely culprit.

Replace the pump with the Walbro upgraded version

More info https://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthrea.../re-m3w-fuel-pump-replacement#Post801157

thanks for the input!
I plan on getting a real pressure gauge today to check the fuel pressure more accurately.

The error codes seem consistent with a fuel delivery problem if the engine is unmodified. If the ECU is trying to compensate for low fuel pressure then it would max out the fuel injection time at some point.

The electrical gremlins might be a sign that the turn signal unit is expiring. Its a common problem, there are threads about it here.

First.... welcome to the insanity of owning a M3W. The best worst car ever made. Second, I mirror what others have said - it sounds like a fuel delivery issue. My hunch is you have marginal fuel pressure to deliver fuel, but not the required pressure to run the system properly. Injectors will not function below a certain PSI. The ECU tried to compensate and threw P0170 and P0173, etc. S&S actually recommends fuel be delivered simultaneously to both injectors, but Morgan delivers the fuel to one injector, then the other injector, then back to the tank. You can also search P0170 and P0173 in the forum. There is a long thread about me trying to fix issues with P0173 on my old 2013. Keep us posted, and good luck. You are in the right place for help with regard to your new-to-you 2013 M3W.

Unless your car already has a Walbro fuel pump I would just go ahead and change it anyway. With the standard pump it's a case of when not if it'll fail.

Nukebug:
Greetings from El Paso, just a few hundred miles West of you.
While the idea of replacing the fuel pump is certainly a worhtwhile consideration, you may want to look into replacing the turn signal module, especially in light off the symptoms you mentioned with your turn signals.
I had similar problems with why 2015 M3W, and after great advise from this forum, replaced my TCM (turn coordinator module) with an upgraded one from England.
It was not a very complicated job, other than for the somewhat difficult location of the TCM. My 3W has been running well since the new TCM was installed.
I do have the complete Walbro fuel pump modification, which I plan to install at the next major service (new tires, oil change, and installation of a Stage I exhaust system).
A search on this forum for the turn signal module, which, by the way, does much more electronically than just operate the turn signals, will give you the needed information for the modification to the more robust TCM.
Feel free to PM me if you would like to get in touch via email or phone.

Russell, sorry to hear about the car. It sounds like the Walboro pump may indeed be bad. Luckily, that is a fairly easy fix and the Walboro pump is pretty readily available.

For the turn signal module from the UK, I just ordered one and it is waiting for me next week. I'll pick it up there and bring it back with me. I'm happy to let you try it to see if that fixes your issue. If so, simply order another.

We'll talk.

The history of the upgraded Turn Signal Module (TSM) is well documented on https://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/696377/4

It was developed by Alister as a private project and he produced an initial batch based on the level of interest at that time.

When these ran out he was able to produce further batches based on minimum order quantities so I have personally funded the last 3 batches and handled the onward sale (at cost) and distribution. The last batch has now sold out but I will be prepared to go ahead with a further batch of 10 if I get enough provisional orders. The cost from the last batch was is £90 per module plus post and packing (which for the USA was £25 including the Trump tariff and customs fee).

If anyone would like to go on the waiting list please let me know.

Please note this TSM is only applicable to 18 pin units used from sometime in 2013 onwards and excludes EU4 cars.

Chris: I stand corrected. It is a Turn Signal Module, not a Turn Coordinator Module.
Russell: Another important point is that your car's battery has to be in optimal condition. Batteries in poor state will cause voltage surges that will fry the TSM
Craig: Most selfless of you to allow Russell to try your upgraded TSM. I hope the you trip to Malvern goes excellently. I am in total admiration of your decision to proceed with the Plus Four.


Tom