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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Starting Problem

A few weeks ago I noticed that my stater solenoid would occassionally click and not engage. This slowly got worse and I pulled the starter motor for inspection. Replaced with a rebuilt starter and this worked ok for a few days then clicking resumed. I then replaced the solenoid and I still get clicking when trying to start.

Have pulled all the wiring to check good connections and starter is not jamming on fly wheel. The battery is fully charged. What have I over looked??

1972 MkIII midget 1275
Warren

Try another solenoid, i had the same problem with a new repo one lasting a few days.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Firstly check that the starter operates if you short the solonoid terminals CAREFULLY! Some have a button in between the terminals that you can press in to operate it. You could make a simple test lead using a bulb and leads, to see if you are getting the voltage on the starter motor side of the solonoid when it's operated. That's if you dont have multimeter handy.
Cheers John
JOHN HALL & JULIE ROBERTS

Warren, try checking Earthing (Grounding) straps. One from the chassis to gearbox could be suspect....

John & Julie, not seen you around for a while... how's things?

Mark.
M T Boldry

check the earthing area that the solenoid screws down to, rust and grovel there can cause all sorts of "looks like summat else" issues

Clean up to bright and shiney and it will often do the trick, new screw holes will do that too

always rustproof afterwards
Bill sdgpm

>>> check the earthing area that the solenoid screws down to... <<<

Hey, there's an activity we can all observe to celebrate Earth Day; clean up the earthing points on our Spridgets.

;-)

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Not wanting to highjack this thread but I also have had a problem today. Been using car ok for last 11 months etc etc. Spent most of the day replacing front pads, discs and bearings, brake light switch. Went to start the car and all I got was a 2 or 3 second electrical sound from under the bonnet when I turned the key. Engine did'nt turn over or anything.

Would I be looking at the same problem - earthing???

Whilst underneath I noticed that the gearbox earth strap appears to be collecting oil!!!! (I have a preservation agreement with the engine - where it evenly distributes oil underneath).

Thanks


Chris
Chris Guards Red Midget

Having tried most of the remedies suggested above and others described within the Archives, the starter motor would still not turn the engine.

Getting out the Haynes again to see what I may have missed, eventually I found a remedy for what was described as a jammed pinion on the starter motor!? Simple remedy, put the car in gear and rock from side to side.

Sorted!!!!!! Great to have the car going again. Does this mean however that a repair is needed or replacement. Or was it just one of those things/occurances.

Chris
Chris Guards Red Midget

Chis'

Sorry to post late with this, but might help next time;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY1YndLmbXQ

L.C.
Larry C '69 Midget

I finally pulled the starter motor out in desparation and found that it was not turning over when hooked up to a battery. I guess I must have over tightened the nut that holds the cable. No obvious damage but I will get the experts to check it for me. Another case of damage by an idiot......?
Warren

This thread was discussed between 10/04/2009 and 13/04/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.