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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - That made me jump!!!!! (Starter motor problem)

Just removing the battery - caught both terminals on the underside of the bonnet!!! Well at least I am awake now!!!

The starter motor (1275) is very sluggish - battery fully charged and in good nick - done a drop test and it has passed the 'AA' test. Earth is sound and clean.

It turns over reasonably eagerly at first then gets slower and slower. If it doesn't start within 5 seconds the starter just goes errr errr errr at about the speed you would read those words out loud.

Any suggestions/pointers ???

Thanks in advance.





David Banks

David. If the headlights are still bright after the starter has "died" it would suggest that the starter is duff. Did you mean the engine earth is good or the battery earth? A dodgy engine earth has been discussed on another thread. Looks O.K. till you examine it and find that half the wires in the cable are broken.

Bernie.
b higginson

Thanks Bernie - I meant the battery earth was good.

I have checked the engine earth and its fine. The lights are still bright when the starter is really struggling.
David Banks

Sounds like the starter then. If,as I assume you are using a standard A series engine the starters are not too expensive. At least it's not a pre-engage one with the solenoid on top. You could of course get it rebuilt if there is a local specialist available. (my guy just went out of business). .....Ebay?

Bernie.
b higginson

OK thanks very much. Before I get a new starter - are there any serviceable parts in the solenoid? Its the cable operated - pull to start type. That's the only other item in the circuit that hasn't been checked.

Thanks for all your help.
David Banks

Make sure its clean...

Dont use any oils on it, and make sure the cleaners are oil free...AKA no kereosene, wd40, egine degresser...I understand people use gasoline, Im leary of that idea, might try brake cleaner...but remember dont oil it anywhere ... that draws in dirt, gum and crude and creats issues

Prop
Prop

Reminds me of a student prank when i was studying engineering, i hasten to add this wasn't me.
The adjacent 'humainties' block toilets had old lead waste pipes, so some lost soul from the engineering department but a battery outside the block with the -ve to an earth stake, then the positive via a wire to a large nut suspended above the urinal as a 'pee target'.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

David, maybe one of the carbon thingys is sticking and causes a huge resistance wich will make the anchor real hot, enough to melt the solderding.
Please don't ask how I know.
I also found out that a new starter is cheaper than an overhaul. (at least here in Holland-land)

Wich type do you have, with the radial or with the axial carbon thingys?
Alex G Matla

I had collapsed brushes in the back of mine once - refused to restart after an exuberant puddle experience while snowing with g/f on board.....

thought it was water but actually the brass springy things in th back of the motor cad collapsed, it would turn over very slowly, not fast enough to start

Just another thought!
Rob Armstrong

Thanks guys. I dont know what kind it is until I remove it - but I will have to remove it to check the type to order a new one - a task I am NOT looking forward to!!

I will try cleaning it first - thanks for the heads up about no oil etc - not because I am a tight wad but carriage costs are ridiculous for parcels coming 'up here' (Highlands and Islands).

Thanks again for all your kind assistance.
David Banks

Brushes! That's the word I was looking for!
Alex G Matla

the 1275 uses a standard Lucas 5" starter, they are ten-a-penny and you should be able to get a rebuilt exchange unit from ANY local motor factor for 20 or 30 quid so carriage should not be an issue.
David Smith

have you tried B & H spares?
David Smith

Does it matter whether its a nine tooth or 10 tooth starter??

B&H?? £70 exchange - 2 weeks wait!!

David Banks

David, If you are south of the border try either Partco or Autoparts.

Guy
Guy Weller

70 quid? good lord that's extortion - or am I totally out of touch! I suppose I have so many good s/hand ones that I haven't actually bought one for - oh, maybe 15 or 20 years!
There's a lot in the archives about the 9 or 10 tooth pinion question, ISTR the concensus is it doesn't matter.
David Smith

Anyone know if there is a difference between LRS101 and LRS102?? They look the same and appear to have the same dimensions but the suppliers say they are for different applications? They are all closed today so I cant check with them.

Its for a 1275.

Cheers.

David Banks

Think you need the LRS 101 (try google or e bay to check as I've just done)

That price is rubbish.

Moss quote £36 exchange or £47 new.

Also offered on E bay.

R.
richard boobier

when I checked this out the part numbers for the Aseries cars and the 1500 cars came out the same

Leaceymg website shows the same unit (GXE4405RE) for:

MOTOR-STARTER REC
S&M 58-79/SPIT 64-80/MGA 55-62

Price Price: £30.26

Mine has nine teeth I think
I can tell you next week when I whip out the engine and box

Leacey has a picture of a replacement dog part number 67H5010

I counted the teeth and there were nine on the picture

when you pull the starter button and the starter slows down, does the starter switch get hot whilst passing current to the starter?

Leacey's Spridget section (electrical) is here:

http://tinyurl.com/yc9sy7d
bill sdgpm

30 quid that's more like it, wasn't so far off after all. Yes as said in the last starter thread, 1275 and 1500 are the same unit, just that the 1500 uses a thick ally spacer ring and a thin steel shim which have to be retained and refitted.
David Smith

Thanks all - especially Bill - I must confess I didn't know about Leacy's but I have bookmarked it now - great place!

The starter switch doesn't get hot when it is sounding laboured.

Sounds like a recon starter is required.
David Banks

yes starter almost certainly

The switch is just a bar of cu pulled across the terminals so if it doesnt get hot-tish when working it has to be inside the motor where the problem lies

I had one fail in use (without gooey bendix threads either Prop) after just a few months

was crappily reconned and the bearings were not touched at the workshop that did (half) the job

LeaceyMG do more for us classic car owners than any other big company I know of

Moss buy from them as do MGOC and no doubt a few others

nice little shop in Aston too

Aston where the Villa are not Aston where the Martin are...
bill sdgpm

This thread was discussed between 01/04/2010 and 02/04/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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