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MG MGA - Dead starter

Hi everyone,

I had my car all ready to go for a test drive around the block (I still need to put some body panels back on) and I think my starter is dead. It was starting fine, many times. Then one time it started to crank and just stopped. But first I tried the following, none of which worked:

* put it in 4th gear and rocked it back and forth
* removed the spark plugs and tried to start it
* pulled the started out and slid it back in. (I didn't want to pull it out and test it on the bench because with my crossflow head that means I have to remove the carbs or the oil filter to take it off). The rod in the middle of the starter was spinning fine, but even with the spark plugs still out, when I tried to start it, the starter did nothing
* tried to spin the starter by attaching jumper cables directly to the starter

Any ideas? I read on Barney's site (http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/ss_102.htm) that Lucas starters rarely fail. The only thing I can think of is once the starter ran for a couple of minutes on accident, but it shouldn't be that frail. I have 10:1 compression, though I don't know if that matters.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Darian
Darian Henderson

"The rod in the middle of the starter was spinning fine." If you mean the end of the Armature that sticks out of the back of the start, then it is likely that the Bendix is hanging up. You might "luck-out" by taking the starter out, take the Bendix a part, clean it, look for any burrs, reverse the spring and re-assemble
David Werblow

Thanks David,

Yes, I meant the armature the sticks out of the back of the starter. It was spinning before I took the starter out and slid it back in, too. I forgot to add that it was working one day, and then literally the next day it wasn't. The contacts were polished a month ago.

So does this sound like it's the starter itself?

Thanks again,

Darian
Darian Henderson

Darian,
You attempted to start the engine direct to the starter with jumpers, so if it did nothing then, it probably is the starter. I think you have to bench test it.
Mike Parker

Darian,

If the starter isn't spinning at all I would suspect either:

- a faulty switch / connections - have you tested that power is indeed getting to the starter?

- a stuck bendix - try turning the front knob with a small spanner, turning the bendix by hand, or hand cranking the engine a few turns

- worn brushes

If the starter spins but the engine doesn't turn over check that the pinion and sleeve are being held together by a large circlip. This happened to me only a few weeks ago. The circlip somehow became dislodged and as a result the pinion was not engaging with the bendix.

Good luck

Steve
Steven Hill

Thanks everyone.

I guess I have to pull the starter after all, since it's not spinning or anything.

Darian
Darian Henderson

I just had one fail because the nylon bush through which the power cable attaches failed so that the current was shorting straight to earth. I've thrown the whole starter in the graveyard box for bits..... so if anyone ever needs just the centre spinning bits....
dominic clancy

This is for what it's worth but I have had several Lucas starters play up on me over the years.If I remember correctly where the main power lead comes down to the pole contact you check that the nut is tight.Yes it is ,BUT ,if I remember correctly the one behind the lead works loose so take the lead off and ensure the inner nut is tight refit lead then tighten outer nut.I found on several occasions this was the problem.Try it and see before you go to all the trouble of taking the motor off.Good liuck
MR Blencowe

One thing to check before pulling the starter is that the grounding strap is properly attached on the left engine mount.
Jeff Schultz

I think I shorted a starter on my car by tightening the nut behind the lead. Or not holding it back from turning as I tightened the outer nut. The bus bar inside shorted to ground (occasionally) from this, frustrating problem.

I recommend not tightening the nut closest to the starter (as long as it's not sloppy loose). Hold it with a thin wrench when tightening the outer nut that holds the big wire on.
Tom

Well, I finally bench tested it. It's fried, but now I know.

Thanks for everyone who helped.

Darian
Darian Henderson

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2007 and 08/08/2007

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