MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Starter problem?

Recently bought my first MGB GT (68)
Have a prob with starter I think, or solinoid. Not sure. When I turn the key it just clicks. Only after 10 or 20 clicks does it engage and start straight away. Have checked connections to solinoid. Might need to give it a better clean. Did imporve a bit though.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
r j brock

Hi.

Is the solenoid part of the starter motor or separate?.

If you try to start the engine with the headlights on, do the lights dim significantly ?.

Don
Don

This is often due to a dying battery.
I would clean the battery connections/terminals first,
and then check the battery
itself. A weak battery can operate
the lights, etc., but not be able to energize
the solenoid.

Engine ground strap is also a possibility.
Ronald

Thanks for getting back, guys.

Solenoid is separate to starter. Headlights do not dim significantly. I'll give the battery terminals a clean, and I'll have a look at the earth strap.
r j brock

I have a similar problem. I actually changed the battery and installed a battery immobilizer to preserve the battery.

Removed and cleaned the earth strap at both ends.

So still getting the solenoid clicking.

My next course of action I'm guessing is replace the starter itself, note this is a '76 which has the soleniod on the starter motor.

Would you agree?

T I Lyons

On the later cars the next step would be to replace the starter.
On an early car the pinion may be jammed in the flywheel ring-gear. A square end is provided on the end of the armature (may be under a metal cap). put a wrench on there and see if it turns. If it does turn easily, it is not jammed and the starter is bad. If it won't turn or is very hard, the pinion is jammed and must be unjammed by rocking the car back and forth in gear.
Jamming can be caused by the mounting bolts being loose and or a worn ring-gear. If the ring-gear is worn then replacing the starter will be a short term fix at best and you will get jammed mroe and more often.
If the ring-gear is bad, replacing is not difficult but is a pain in the a*%. The flywheel must come out, the old gear split with a drill and chisel, the new gear heated in the oven and then quickly tapped in place, and then reassembly.

Once un-jammed (if it was) it should work but if it doesn't then the starter is bad too.

Mike!
mike!

You might also check the ignition switch. I ran into a interesting starter problem where the the key would engage the starter intermitently. It turned out the set scew that holds the ignition switch module in place was worn keeping the key from activating the ignition post inside the switch. In short, if the wire harness side of the ignition swich is lose or wobbles reset the module (Set screws).then tape it. The post 74 ones have a plastic unit that wears out inside badly and that could be the issue too. Heavy key chains will cause these problems.

Cheers
steve kernosky

This thread was discussed between 24/07/2004 and 27/07/2004

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.