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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Starter Motor Help Please NMC

Hi All
Had A bit of an afternoon battling with a Ford Monjo

The Starter Motor did not disengage so it got toasted. New one sourced and fitted But the new one is reluctant to engage with the ring gear. No horrible noises it just spins. Checked the bendix and it flips in and out freely by hand. Tried swapping the solonoid from the old to the new and still no look. Checked and cleaned all connections and still the same. Ring gear teeth all ok aswell. Has got me stumped.
I would'nt Be so bad if it was bloody easy to get at!!!!
Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks Ian
I Pickering

Ford Mongo?

I surely can't help...good luck!
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

bench test it first

12v off a jump lead to the large terminal on the solenoid
earth return to the starter body

In this configuration nothing should happen

take an extra fly lead from the positive feed and touch it to the small terminal, hold the starter very tight whilst you do this

The gear should be flung towards the ring gear as the starter begins to turn

If this doesn't happen there's two possibilities

1; the starter is duff TAKE IT BACK

2; there are two small terminals and one is simpley used to shunt 12v to a circuit on the loom and the one you aren't using will have the desired effect (some Ford wiring decisions take the biscuit. Wait 'til the central locking, immobiliser and alarm wiring ceases to pass current due to water under the driver's seat "rotting" a soldered joint inside the loom)

Can you manage a picture of the wiring end of the solenoid for us?

you know that Ford hold the starter up on a bracket and buld first, the engine and then the car around it dont you?

That stupid extra bracing bracket is a MEGA-PAIN isn't it

nightmare job

Always test a starter before you attempt a fitting

(a lesson sorely learnt many years ago, even inertia types like those on midgets)
Bill 1

Hi Bill

Thanks For your reply

I will try these tests tomorrow. What has me confused is that sometimes it is absolutely fine and others it just spins almost like there are teeth missing from the ring gear.

I Pickering

this sounds old fashioned, but I WONDER IF YOU HAVE TO entergize it

Thats just a wild guess
Prop

Something strange happening Ian mate.

If the starter is a pre engage type as suggested by Bill. This means the solenoid energises and pushes the gear forward and into mesh with the ring gear. As it engages the solenoid also makes the connection that powers and turns the starter.

Therefore if the starter gear has not gone forward and engaged then it is strange that the starter is powered and turns?

The only thing that IMO can cause what you are describing is if the wires onto the starter have been connected incorrectly. I think it is worth checking that you have connected the starter correctly.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Ian. Did you check the actual physical dimentions at the business end of the new starter against those of the old one? I recently bought an exchange starter for a car having given the factor the registration number, model and engine size over the phone. When it came it was wrong, inasmuch it was too short at the nose, so although it would spin, the pinion would not throw in far enough to engage with the flywheel. But they insisted that it was the one listed for that model. It took them two more attempts to get it right.

Bernie.
b higginson

Hi all Many thanks for all of your help and suggestions. The problem has been resolved by fitting a new starter motor and not one from the breakers, lesson learned..

Thanks again
I Pickering

You naughty boy Ian. You said new, not that it was from a breaker's yard. We're all 'ere scratchin' our 'eads and you're fittin' scrap parts. LOL.

Bernie.
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 11/09/2010 and 12/09/2010

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