Model: MG Metro engine in a clubman
Year: somewhere in the 80's
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):
Well my mini had been sat a while and last weekend went to sort it out and start it, however all i heard was a click when i turned the key. This click was coming from the starter solenoid.
Thought that must mean starter motor is broken, so took it off and connected it directly to battery and it spun fine. So started fiddling with solenoid, took it off, cleaned it as best as possible, put it back on and it turned over and started fine. Super.
Went to move my mini last night and all i got was the click from the starter solenoid again and the engine didn't turn over - just a 'click'. Lame. Changed starter solenoid today and still get the same click from starter solenoid and no turning over of engine.
Anyone got any ideas. I was thinking it might be something to do with an earth. But really, don't have a clue.
Any help, muchly appreciated.
Schneill
Starter Solenoid Problems?
Started by
schneill
, Jul 11 2009 10:20 AM
7 replies to this topic
#1
schneill
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Posted 11 July 2009 - 10:20 AM
#2
dklawson
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Posted 11 July 2009 - 02:16 PM
You may find that the starter motor commutator is very dirty and/or its brushes are near their wear limit. When you removed the starter you are likely to have "bumped" things back into position so they worked again.
Since you're getting a "click" at the solenoid (both old and new solenoids) this points to a problem "downstream" and all that's really left is the starter motor itself. If you're using the inertia starter with the solenoid on the clutch cover... I suppose it could also be a problem with the big battery cables after the solenoid.
Since you're getting a "click" at the solenoid (both old and new solenoids) this points to a problem "downstream" and all that's really left is the starter motor itself. If you're using the inertia starter with the solenoid on the clutch cover... I suppose it could also be a problem with the big battery cables after the solenoid.
#3
pammosc
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Posted 13 July 2009 - 01:10 PM
Hi, I have the same problem with mine, I changed the starter motor but still had the intermitten problem. Found out last Friday that I had an earthing problem which was preventing the power getting to the starter motor. Have sorted that and now it starts ok
#4
lrostoke
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Posted 13 July 2009 - 01:15 PM
Have you checked the battery is charged.
The starter won't need anywhere near as much juice to spin when its free standing.
The starter won't need anywhere near as much juice to spin when its free standing.
#5
irish.yobbo
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Posted 14 July 2009 - 01:13 AM
Easiest way to test if it is the solenoid is to bypass it. Get a jumper cable and bypass the solenoid (run the positive terminal to the starter motor, assuming a negative earth). If the starter turns, you know it's the solenoid. It's just like hot-wiring.
Make sure you don't accidentally fry yourself, and don't touch any of the chassis as you do this (since the chassis is grounded).
Make sure you don't accidentally fry yourself, and don't touch any of the chassis as you do this (since the chassis is grounded).
#6
dklawson
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Posted 14 July 2009 - 01:19 AM
Though you should always be careful with all electricity, the 12V DC of a car battery is NOT going to hurt you. OK... if you pour salt water over your chest and connect a jumper lead to a nipple... that's gonna hurt.
Seriously, 12V itself won't hurt you but if you accidentally touch the hot jumper cable lead to the car's chassis you'll get a tremendously big shower of sparks. The jumper cable test of the starter motor will work but you're also testing all the cables (excluding the earth cable) when you do that. A test that only looks at the solenoid is to put the car in neutral and use a pair of pliers to jumper the two heavy terminals on the solenoid. As with the cable... just be sure to not touch any metal on the pliers to earth. If bridging the solenoid terminal allows the starter motor to spin normally, you have a problem either with the solenoid itself or the starter relay (where fitted).
Seriously, 12V itself won't hurt you but if you accidentally touch the hot jumper cable lead to the car's chassis you'll get a tremendously big shower of sparks. The jumper cable test of the starter motor will work but you're also testing all the cables (excluding the earth cable) when you do that. A test that only looks at the solenoid is to put the car in neutral and use a pair of pliers to jumper the two heavy terminals on the solenoid. As with the cable... just be sure to not touch any metal on the pliers to earth. If bridging the solenoid terminal allows the starter motor to spin normally, you have a problem either with the solenoid itself or the starter relay (where fitted).
#7
RyanFinlay
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Posted 17 July 2009 - 04:14 AM
.
Edited by RyanFinlay, 17 July 2009 - 04:21 AM.
#8
RyanFinlay
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Posted 17 July 2009 - 04:18 AM
I had this problem.
I found out it was too much resistance in the wire from the ignition barrel to the solenoid.
Resistance is far more of a problem than voltage.
The easiest way to test without unearthing it is take the large battery wire off one screw of the solenoid and put it on top of the other screw.
Hopefully your starter will spin up nice.
Should only get tiny sparks if any.
i found mine was just too much resistance and a crap solenoid.
I'd recommend a push button solenoid and some high tension leads.
Sorted mine out a treat.
I wouldn't worry about the earth. solenoids are pretty well earthed the way they are.
the only other thing i can see happening is your starters jamming?
Quick tap with a hammer on it should set it free though.
I found out it was too much resistance in the wire from the ignition barrel to the solenoid.
Resistance is far more of a problem than voltage.
The easiest way to test without unearthing it is take the large battery wire off one screw of the solenoid and put it on top of the other screw.
Hopefully your starter will spin up nice.
Should only get tiny sparks if any.
i found mine was just too much resistance and a crap solenoid.
I'd recommend a push button solenoid and some high tension leads.
Sorted mine out a treat.
I wouldn't worry about the earth. solenoids are pretty well earthed the way they are.
the only other thing i can see happening is your starters jamming?
Quick tap with a hammer on it should set it free though.
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