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MG MGB Technical - Another starter question

After getting my newly rebuilt engine installed and my cooling problem and ignition problem fixed I now have a starting problem.

Went out to start my 79 MGB and all I get is a click (sometimes get a click) The battery is good. I rolled it down the hill and it started up and ran fine. I seem to remember my farther using a screwdriver across a starter to see if it will crank. Can anyone tell me how this is done? Or another way to test the starter.
Bob

Sounds like your solenoid may be shot or the ring gear might be hung up. First you need to check your battery and make sure the problem is not there. Sometimes the starter can catch and hang up. This is normally a symptom that will eventually get worse. There is a small metal box imediately behind the fuse box in the engine bay. This is the relay for the starter and can cause these symptoms. Might want to check with a voltmeter that you got 12 volts in and out, and also at the starter.
As for the screw driver, basically the solenoid is a big switch next to the starter that can handle the high current. If you cross a screwdriver over the two big bolts down there you can bypass the solenoid. Make absolutely sure, and I can't stress this enough, that the car is in neutral or it'll roll on top of you. I wouldn't mess with this at all. If your sure your battery has a full charge and it does not improve after you jump start it, or that the relay is good(these are cheap and easy to replace) it might need a new starter motor.
J Arthurs

Bob;

First, make sure your battery terminals are clean and the connections are tight. You might not be charging your battery when the car is running. Even with a dead battery, your car could start if you get it going fast enough to get the alternator kicking out enough electricity to power the car. If that doesn't fix it, go to phase 2. Good luck.
Chet

The click could either be the relay (fairly quiet and high up on the inner wing) or from the solenoid (louder and from the starter). If the ignition warning light remains bright when turning the key to start I suspect you may have a bad connection between the relay and the solenoid, seeing as the engine has been out, or the solenoid/starter is bad. If the warning light dims right out it is bad connections back to the battery or a bad battery.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 01/07/2002 and 02/07/2002

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