Morris minor won't start...will we make the wedding?!

[@richardparkin4930]

So refreshing….how we dealt with car problems in the best days of British motoring, by an old school mechanic.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

In Australia, we call this "fencing wire repair". A bit of fencing wire COULD have temporarily resolved this issue!

[@cornishhh]

@@MichaelKingsfordGrayBush mechanicing.

[@markallen3293]

I love that gentleman's emergency kit, with kitties.

[@llqvz116]

Great video that illustrates the reality, at times, of classic car ownership. Also, you must be the only classic car KZbinr that gives fashion tips. Nice one Steph.

[@idriveaclassic]

My USP as it were 😂

[@tug1345]

Looking good in that outfit Steph, hope the day goes well for u all, nice little fault finding clip on the Minor

[@idriveaclassic]

She was great!

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Wow, what an elegant and posh outfit - you look stunning Steph !.Methodical thinking on Kev's part .Items controlled by the ignition switch are fed by white wires, that become ' live ' only when the ignition switch is on . One will go to the fuel pump and another will go to the SW terminal on the ignition coil .Someone has fitted 2 switches , one in each feed ( coil and pump ) , so a double anti-theft device , so either will have effect , but both must be switched ' on ' to make the engine run .Don't forget next time !.

[@idriveaclassic]

I always forget which is on. 😂

[@romac9516]

I'm not into fashion but your style always makes me smile, it's such a perfect compliment to the classic cars! Much respect to you Steph, hope your day went well!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much. I do try to make an effort to

[@asa1973100]

The Kelly bag just set the whole ensemble off beautifully you look absolutely stunning Stephanie

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh thank you!

[@paultrevett1287]

Yep I thought the same ❤

[@jonathangriffin1120]

If the SU pump won't pump and the points are a bit misaligned you can sometimes 'pinch' a bit of extra mileage by loosening the screw holding the sprung contact and moving the contact to one side so that you have two unburnt parts in contact with each other. Back in the day, you could buy sets of points from part stores, a couple of companies sold them, one being Commercial Ignition. No doubt the MMOC will help you out. That blue outfit looks 100% right wit a Morris Minor, just hope nobody flags you down to deliver a baby!

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha I did get spotted by a few folk on here funnily enough

[@Parknest]

Steph, you wouldn't be the first to forget you'd engaged the kill swich. Way back in 1993, I had a 1978 Mini 850 (GJX 518S) and I was about to leave a shopping centre when it wouldn't start. I ended up freewheeling it quite some distance when I remembered I'd engaged the kill switch. Once it was disengaged it started up. Kevin was spot on with his diagnosis. A multimeter and a power probe are great tools for diagnosing electrical faults but there's nothing wrong with old school methods.

[@kevinhirst4108]

Thanks, JX is a Halifax reg number 😊😊😊

[@markallen3293]

You look very lovely for a wedding.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! 😊

[@allanmollison6971]

Thanks for sharing Steph, glad you got Nancy sorted out for the wedding. Where would you be without the generous help from a great friend like Kev. 😊👍

[@halliutv-xo9fn]

Real pressure to get going there, but most enjoyable👏👏👏

[@geoffmower8729]

Wow Steph you look like your straight off of the set of The Midwife you look amazing.👍🏻

[@idriveaclassic]

My biggest wish is to get on an episode.

[@JimF500]

This is proper old school diagnosis,no laptop in site

[@MarkAShaw64]

Sight

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Actually, BOTH spellings are correct, just different semantics.@@MarkAShaw64

[@georgemarks]

@@MichaelKingsfordGray No, the phrasing is 'on site' or 'in sight'. There is only one spelling applicable in each case.

[@idriveaclassic]

I’m a firm believer in politeness. I don’t know if OP has dyslexia and therefore the comment is easy to understand and I will refrain from comment on spelling. I’m a bit of a spelling weirdo and obsessed with SPaG, but not everyone is. I for one, am terrible with maths. Imagine I would make a few number fanatics cringe…

[@JimF500]

Dear oh dear, thought I was back in school. Yes I used the wrong word, but I think you got the meaning. As mentioned, it should be "on site" or "in sight". I don't have dyslexia Steph but I do have PD and OCD but I don't think it had anything to do with the mistake. It was total laziness on my part really . Will check in future, like these vids Steph with you and Kev.

[@stephenricketts7764]

The trials and joys of owning a classic car here in one video. So glad you got to the wedding. I was looking at your outfit and thinking that's 'Mrs. Merton' standing right there in front of us! Well done Kev Nancy rides again and thanks Steph for a tinkering video. 👍👍

[@Vince_uk]

What a todo Steph, thank God for Kev and his methodical diagnosis.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Lovely outfit Steph - you looked wonderful!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you so much!

[@Indiekid-1976]

This video saved me calling a mechanic, I didn’t even know I had a kill switch, never mind that I’d accidentally knocked it! Thanks x

[@user-gd7kc4pk1r]

I am really glad that you both managed to get your wonderful Morris Minor 1000 started and all because of a wire that is broken and love the gentlemen's emergency kit very handy to have smart move Kev and Steph you look simply wonderful for your friend's wedding and the Morris Minor looked beautiful for the wedding .

[@RobertHaynes-kw2sk]

Hiya Steph. Love that vid. Reminded me of when I used to watch a programme about car care on the telly in my early years, one that was made in a specially adapted studio in Didsbury, near Manchester. Titled simply "Auto-Mechanics", it was what got me into cars in the first place originally. That original series used a Morris Minor, one registered 114 PWL, dating from 1960 and was owned by the late Brian Marcham and his wife Janice Nicholls, who was already a TV star employed by the people who made that series, ABC Weekend Television Network. Love your outfit as well. I look forward to meeting you at either Rustival or at the NEC Classic Car and Restoration Show in the next four to six weeks.

[@percyob1]

You both looked brilliant for the wedding. Steph. Cracking video!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@timelwell7002]

Steph - in your blue suit, with your hair done like this, with the hat, gloves, glasses, shoes, etc. you look *terrific and lovely.* So much so that I'll see if my girl-friend would like a similar outfit..! Glad you managed to get the moggy sorted. Well done to you and Kev.

[@MrTimcoronel]

did something very similar years ago with our 1967 Hillman Gazelle (they were a real thing in Australia): churned and churned on the starter until the battery was flat. Had the car towed to our local auto elecs. They called next morning: 'err, do you have a kill switch?' ...

[@Phiyedough]

I think with some modern cars you have to put your foot on the brake or clutch pedal to start...OK if you know that but if you hire or borrow the car you might not know.

[@stevenward6453]

Hope everything goes well you look fantastic Steph have a great time 👍🍻

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! Was amazing

[@mr-wx3lv]

Nice one Steph. Just so like Kev. Brilliant guy..👍

[@michaelprochaska6907]

Great video and great outfit! And it's *always* good to have reminders about making sure not to leave the ignition on for too long, as it's all too easy to forget about the very real risk of burning out coils, so thank you for that!

[@alansimpson835]

Suffice to say, empty shortbread tins are not a problem in my household! Im getting Mrs Turner from Call the Midwife vibes and again i love the matching of the wedding outfit to Nancy

[@idriveaclassic]

Geek fact: dead men’s spex supply call the midwife too. So Sheila’s glasses are off the same guy.

[@jamesdecross1035]

Oh, aren't you so fortunate to have a friend who can stay calm in a crisis!

[@davidjames2910]

This is one of the nicest interactions ever. You and Kev are magic. And what a nice purpose!

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Your theme is so perfect, I remember ladies dressed like you (I do have to say they were usually older than you are) in the early 70s driving Morris Minors, arriving at weddings.

[@ZeonNewtype]

Yay! 😃 Glad to see you got her started again! ❤

[@michaelkeen5010]

You can usually hear the fuel pump ticking away on the Minor from inside the car, having owned two back in the 1960’s.

[@barrythompson]

Same here, 1957 Morris Minor was my first car in 1973 and you were always listening for that tick tick sound of the Pump doing its job, if you came to an unexpected halt first thing was to give the Pump a tap without hand with ignition still on and you would then usually get the pump started again !!

[@flamingvans1135]

My mom had the same problem -- there's as many different shades of navy blue as there are shades of blue! But you pulled everything together flawlessly, including the hat, glasses, gloves and purse! Just the way she would have dressed to go to church, or to the office, for that matter.

[@daviemaclean61]

Not all heroes wear capes......just a grubby boiler suit! ;-)

[@Farney-gy1qo]

Great outfit Steph, 🤩.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! 🤗

[@elonmask50]

Wow, stunning Steph.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you so much!

[@Simon-ui6db]

Glad it was an easy fix. Hopefully the wedding went all to plan and she loved the car.

[@idriveaclassic]

She did! The most beautiful bride you could ever imagine.

[@heavyt749]

Looking good as always

[@andyf750]

Looking stunning as always Steph! ❤

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!!

[@pauldeacy9989]

Fascinating to watch a man of knowledge and experience observe what's wrong and then go through various steps to right the problem. Great vid and great style too!

[@grayfool]

See, biscuits are the answer to everything.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

😀😋

[@gazp2194]

kev reminds me of my late dad. Always has something to fix everything. Old school proper mechanic

[@malphaidre]

You look wonderful at the end! Splendid.

[@mictiantad666]

Kev is so natural in front of a camera and a great yin to your yang. Hope u enjoyed the wedding

[@Zadster]

I had something very similar in a car I once had. The custom antitheft I installed worked too well! That engine sounds sweet though! Wish I had even 5% of your style - That outfit looks amazing!

[@idriveaclassic]

Most of my outfits are charity shops, boot sales or eBay. Anyone can do it!

[@SuperRetroville]

Fantastic diagnosis and a fantastic outfit!

[@martinhobson3545]

Too man Kev. How refreshing and actually interesting to diagnose and repair an older car. It’s within any skilled persons scope

[@bobspeller2225]

The joy's of classic cars, don't we all just love them, good to have Kev around, enjoy your day. Bob

[@Thereishope664]

Glad you got the Moggy sorted, and you look very smart!!.

[@barryyoung9063]

As a daily driver of a Morris Minor, that was fascinating.

[@rajkishoresatapathy4924]

This was excellent car once upon a time.thanks both of you Having possessed in starting condition extending previlage to us to see in yourvdo

[@michaelwalker4022]

Hi Steph your video's are great enjoy watching them very interesting and informative 👍

[@roygardiner2229]

Well done, Kev! You are a hero.

[@friedjohn]

I suppose that when your anti-theft system is based on "security by obscurity" you must be extra careful to remember how it's set up. But through a very structured process all was well at the end. Luckyly the petrol pump is in the engine compartment on a Minor, on my old MGB it was a similar type pump located under the car in front of the rear wheel. You look fantastic, Steph, I must be great being chauffeured around by you (got a picture of Foyle getting driven about by Sam but that's a different age)

[@martynatkins1351]

Kev the hero. ❤ always there to help..well done.

[@hectorshouse7348]

Kev is a star👍

[@billhyde6742]

Both you and Nancy look fabulous! Wouldn't fancy debugging that on a modern car.

[@idriveaclassic]

I don’t touch modern motors for a very good reason 😂

[@mikeburnitt403]

Hope you are having a great day and the Moggy behaved herself.

[@emmanuel52945]

Really cute 🥰

[@steves9905]

love classic cars, have several, but they always let you down when you need them! Always have a backup plan! Or at least a newish daily that will always start no matter what. Glad this worked out in the end, and the Morris sounded pretty good at fast idle.

[@ericmiddleton8367]

Great outfit for the wedding!

[@mattw8332]

Nice fix! At least Minors are fairly simple to work on. I had a bit a nostalgia blast when it was fired up. Reminded me a little of the 2 Mini 1000s I owned. I had to check out the website of the business "Dead Mens Spex" mentioned near the end of the video out of curiousity as a local .

[@mikecleasby709]

You’ve got to love proper “analogue motoring” 😊❤️

[@frederickcwinterburn1837]

I love the toolbox!

[@jefferysmith3930]

Smashing outfit! The car looks great too.

[@johnpritchard2772]

Hello Steph, well, it is just to easy to get into a bit of a tizzy when something does not work, especially the fuel pump (at least it is not under the car!!) and Kev, (super gent!!) comes to the rescue with his practical , no nonsense methods of "get it running" check list. Lovely outfit and accessories too! Hope the wedding went well? Best wishes from Lincolnshire

[@idriveaclassic]

Very true!

[@WintonMc]

Well done Steph, a very useful video. I'm thinking that gaffer tape will be a great option - nice and wide, and waterproof. Let it weather a bit and maybe get a little bit dirty, it won't look out-of-place at all. P.S. Love the outfit. You look great! :)

[@jacobparry6212]

Amazing video. I had the same problem a few years ago. Lucky it was a quick fix. :)

[@pauldavies6037]

Love all your outfits Steph the blue ideal for the wedding big day. The Morris like all cars of that era ideal to get at every thing but basic simple not like modern cars

[@user-sv1wh4zb7z]

Best video ever on any platform by anybody.

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha I highly doubt that but thank you x

[@mikejames4540]

So, the anti-theft device is so good that even the owner can’t drive it! Great diagnostics, Kevin! It’s that following ‘the logic’ of ‘why the car won’t start when it was running fine previously’ that you just can’t do these days. How many things do you try before you get to the real cause? I couldn’t get mine started once after having taken the engine out. Eventually tracked to having not replaced the earth wire…. As Homer Simpson would say, “Doh!”

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha I’d rather bamboozle myself than leave things open to thieves.

[@johnjtm1097]

Glad you and Nancy made the wedding Steph. Hope the day went well. Loving the stylish outfit!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! I try x

[@a11csc]

super vid and super outfit steph

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! 🤗

[@lucythemoggy1970]

steph you look amazing

[@andrewholland990]

My Mum and Dad had a Morris Oxford Traveller it had a ticking pump, our job as kids was to lie in the back and reach under the floor and hit it with a spanner if it stopped ticking as we went along. This was on command by the driver. No seat belts (1960s), Mum and Dad in the front and 5 kids in the back. Petrol 5/- a gallon.

[@delukxy]

I guess that one kill switch is on the pump and the other is on the coil low tension. Overkill maybe but keep them in two different places and have the toggles the same way.

[@idriveaclassic]

My first morris minor got stolen. It’s made me paranoid ever since.

[@EVguru]

A few decades ago, I was on my way somewhere in my X1/9 and passed an elderly couple in an Austin 1300, broken down at the side of the road. I stopped to check they were OK and they said that the AA, RAC, or similar, had been summoned. I went on my way, but a couple of hours later,, on my way back, they were still there and with no update on receiving help A couple of checks determined that the fuel pump wasn't working properly. It would make one stroke every time the ignition was turned on, which might indicate welded points, but the pump is tucked up in the rear subframe on the 1100/1300 and not easy to get at. There was a bag on the back seat, in which I spied a doorbell set, which the couple had nipped out to buy. I was able to rig up the bell push to the pump circuit, routing the wiring through the passenger door shut and putting the bell push in the charge of the lady passenger. By repeatedly pressing the switch, she was able to manually operate the pump, so that the engine could be started and they were able to drive away.

[@shauntvr4312]

You and your car look very nice 👌

[@lepod]

You can get a replacement fuel pump with solid state switching - I had one back in the '80s in one of my Morries, worked well.

[@CharlieFlemingOriginal]

1:40 ah! The "if in doubt, give it a clout" approach. The analogue version of turn it off, turn it on again 😊

[@anthonystevens8683]

It's great that Nancy the wonderful Minor finally woke up from her sleep with the help and diagnostics from Kev. All vey educational, check distributor, rotor arm, spark and check fuel. A good job that you have the fuel filter fitted close to the pump so you could see that there was no fuel getting to the carburettor. These things are so much more complicated to fix at the roadside now days with modern cars as it all goes though a computer brain. Anyway Nancy is awake and ready for some fun. Well done Steph, Kev and of course Nancy. I hope the wedding goes to plan and that Nancy is on her very best behaviour.

[@idriveaclassic]

She was brilliant! Bride loved her.

[@jamessmyth5949]

The Lucas brand battery is interesting. The original anti theft devices were made by Lucas and consisted of their ignition coils and starter motors.

[@robertdemeny251]

This cool vintage outfit, completely steels the attention from whats otherwise going on 😃

[@julianlyons711]

Excellent outfit and kevs roadside kit,,, imagine a tin of spares shortbread tin for a tessler

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh yes!

[@andrewsnoozy]

you look stunning

[@martinpook5707]

I did a wedding once with my 33 Plymouth 6. It was nerve wracking. Never again!

[@cme2cau]

I had a land crab with one of these pumps. It would fail to start when you started the car. The car would start and run until the float bowl emptied. Get out, tap tap, hear the ticket sound, back in and off I went!

[@idriveaclassic]

😂😂😂

[@jimcabezola3051]

I realise now...that I had to watch it twice! Very absorbing topic. This story sounds like a prototype for an entirely new series on your channel. Actually mending ropey car situations...and filming it...would be a great thing. It's almost too bad that YOUR car is perhaps TOO reliable to be a frequent subject.🤣🤣Aloha!👍👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RobReynolds]

That wedding outfit looked cool

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you so much!

[@PaulBriden]

You plank. However I have done this twice with two motorbikes. Tried to start them without the engine cut out turned on. I have less of an excuse, the engine cut off on both bikes was easy to see right in front of my eyes on the right hand handlebar. What I do not get is why your Morris Minor has an electric fuel pump ?. It hardly needs a ton of gas. The Dolomite Sprint had a mechanical fuel pump and there was nothing wrong with this. What I have managed to find out is the 1275 Minor has a Mechanical pump yet the 1098 and 948 have an electric one. The mind boggles.

[@cornishhh]

My immediate thought when seeing the video title was "Give the fuel pump a few taps"! Was the problem the stuck points, a broken wire, or kill switch number 2?

[@idriveaclassic]

Gummed up points!

[@lesklower7281]

At least the Hillman Minx has a mechanical fuel pump l never thought that the Morris 1000 had an electric fuel pump well my 1997 Toyota Hilux has a mechanical fuel pump typical Toyota they went with the most reliable option so did Hillman

[@sietse9920]

For a moment I thought YOU were the bride….. 👍👍

[@idriveaclassic]

I will be OTT to the max on my wedding day (if I ever get married)

[@MrPatch25]

Your outfit looks great

[@rogermaybank9345]

Looking amazing Steph! The devil is in the detail.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you x

[@Diger65Line]

Thanks to Steph and Kev for a lot of memories. Bashing the fuel pump on on the mail vans. And my early days as a mechanic when some tape and a bit of wire could get you home. And Kev you kept smiling when Steph found the other kill switch. Love the channel.

[@georgealderson4424]

Our car's (Austin Cambridge) fuel pump broke down when we were on the ferry on the way to the Isle Of Skye. All the luggage was in the boot and had to be taken out so my father could sort it out!

[@stephensalt6787]

Crikey girl, in the blue suit you’re a ringer for my aunt Dorothy from about 1969! 😮

[@steveclews6557]

Great vid and I love the outfit❤

[@michaelreeves4431]

Always kept a hammer in the glove box of my moggy to give the starter motor or fuel pump a bash.

[@davelinkson1]

Hi Steph, so you have 2 kill switches? that can be confusing, hence the problem you thought you had which can lead to a bit of stress. So, all you need is just the one kill switch on the battery, so remove the switch on the fuel pump. As for the SU fuel pump you have, it seems in good condition at the moment, but these contact breaker points pumps can become unreliable , as mine did on my MGB some years ago,so I replaced it with a modern day hardy electronic fuel pump, which looks very similar to the SU pump but much more reliable and won't breakdown with lack of use as they have no moving parts inside, they're solid state electronics.