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MG TD TF 1500 - Starter problem?

Okay,
For the last week, I have noticed that when I turn the ignition ON, and pull the starter, sometimes I get nothing!! Sometimes I get a little "click". But as I repeatedly pull the starter, it eventually fires off!

Prior to this the P.O. had the car set up where just one pull was all that was needed. Now, I am wondering if it the battery or the starter???

Any ideas from this great board would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,


DaveL
dave lackey

Dave , the starter switches are troublesome on these cars. You might try jumping it and see if your starter kicks right off. You should off course be sure the battery is charged and the connections are all clean and secure, including the ground from the battery.

Dallas
Dallas Congleton

Dave

Could be starter, battery, battery connections, or starter switch.
First I would turn on the headlights - if bright, for a rough test the battery should start the car

Next check all connections between the battery and the starter. First remove the ground connection from the battery (normally on the left side of the battery box) Remove, clean and tighten as required both ends of the large cable from the battery to the starter switch and the large wire from the switch to the starter as well as the ground connection. Also check the condition of the cables, they should not have bare spots or damaged ends. Note - be sure to replace the two small wires to the side of the starter switch connected to the battery.

If the problem still exists, you need some test equipment - a 12 volt light bulb with wires or a voltmeter. Connect the instrument to the starter side of the switch and pull the starter knob. Note the instrument - should have voltage while the knob is pulled. If no voltage, remove the cable to the starter and repeat. If voltage now, suspect the starter, no voltage suspect the switch.

Bad wire connections are very common for problems like this.

Jan
Janson Hurd

Dave,

I had the same problem with mine a few years ago. My original thought was the battery. Replaced it and the car seemed to start okay for a while, then the problem recurred. Checked the switch, okay. Found that if I took a wrench to the end of the starter armature and turned it a bit, when I tried to start, the starter would move a little and stop. Pulled the starter, put it in a bench vise, power to it, and spun like a champ. I tried this 5 or 6 times with no issues until on another attempt, it wouldn't turn unless I gave it a little help on the end of the armature.

Long story short (too late), there was a bad section of coil in the starter that, under load when in the car, prevented the starter from turning completely (with no load on the bench, the momentum was enough to keep it turning).

Might give that a try.

Larry
Larry Thompson

Dave,

Forgot to mention all the investigator work I did along the way - pretty much all that Janson described, including replacing a suspicous groundg strap (what a pain), removing the starter once, and testing it (only a few times), testing switches, etc. until pulling the starter again and retesting several times until I discovered the problem (I removed and replaced the starter so many times, I could do it in the dark). Loads o' fun.

Larry
Larry Thompson

Dave,
If it does turn out that your starter is in need of being replaced, remember that an MG midget starter will fit quite nicely! And for a lot less money !! Only one bolt head must be filed down,,,,

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (RED GREEN)
SPW
Steve Wincze

Hi Guys, I had a similar problem recently. It ended up being cheaper to buy a new starter. They are made in India and have Lucas, made in England stamped on the casing. I paid $170 Aussie dollars for a brand new one.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

Hi Paul

Where did you buy it? (I live in Currumbin). regards John c
J H Crighton

Larry. I see you live in Grapevine. I live in Bedford. Would love to see your car and chat about MGs. Could use all the expertise I can find too :-) You can contact me at lkarpman@comcast.net
L Karpman

Hi John, I am on the Sunshine Coast. I bought it from the local auto electrics shop. They worked out it would have cost as much to tape the fields and supply a new armature as a whole new starter cost.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

This thread was discussed between 29/08/2006 and 30/08/2006

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