21 replies to this topic

[Daze]

This question has probably been asked a bunch of times already, but I couldn't find much on the search.

So, I'm replacing my '82 998cc engine with an '89 1275cc Mg metro engine. My 998 uses a verto clutch with an inertia starter motor with those small external-type solenoids.

My metro engine, of course, is pre-engaged.

Can anyone advise me on where wires need to go, or reply with photos of their stater motor and the wires going to and from dizzy, coil, starter motor and solenoid. I am also going to use the Mg metro dizzy, which I don't know how connects.

Any help at all very greatly appreciated.

[Guess-Works.com]

There's basically two ways of doing it, one using a relay, and one using the original solenoid...

The basic difference between the two types of starter is the load which is placed through the ignition line, with it being greater on the pre-engaged, and as such the load needs to be isolated from the ingition switch. Hence the use of a relay in the std wring loom on pre-engaged vehicles.

So, how to convert....

The easiest thing to do is leave your solenoid where is it on the inner wing, and use it as a junction box. Connect ALL the main feed wires to the same ( battery in ) terminal, this includes the High current lead which use to drive your inertia motor. This will now form the permanent live feed to the starter solenoid on the motor.

Now, you can use the solenoid as a relay, so leaving the little white/red wire attached to the small terminal on the side of the solenoid, run a 30amp wire from the now unconnected pole on the solenoid ( where the starter use to be connected ) to the large spade terminal on the pre-engaged started.

or... if you want to use a relay, remove the white/red wire from the solenoid put this onto a relay on terminal 86, terminal 85 is connected to earth, terminal 30 is connected to the battery live, and terminal 87 is connected to the starter solenoid. (wires to 86 and 85 are low current, wires to 30 and 87 are 30amp high current)

QED

[Daze]

John, spot on. Thank you so much!

Just a few points to clarify. Basically wire up my solenoid as before, exactly the same. The big fat wire that used to go to the inertia starter motor now goes to the pre-engaged starter motor, that simple? The white/red wire you talk about, that's the one that is already on the pre-engaged unit?

I haven't looked at my pre-engaged starter much, yet, but I did notice there are two terminals on the back of it. Which one is it that I connect the wire to from the inner-wing-solenoid?

Thanks again!!

[charliedurrant]

I know, I know - another inertia to pre-engaged starter motor post! But I wanted to post some images to qualify the process and to help others.

The second image has the remaning question and also are the images correct for the re-wire that Guessworks has described?

Charlie

Attached Files

•  pre-engaged-starter-to-inertia---1.jpg   84.45K   742 downloads
•  pre-engaged-starter-to-inertia---2.jpg   70.93K   530 downloads

[charliedurrant]

Sorry to bump...

[charliedurrant]

bump

[lrostoke]

yes thats spot on.

[charliedurrant]

thanks

[mini-adam]

Just bumping this tread again.. really useful information there and thanks cause I run into the same problems and after a lot of head scratching have it sorted thanks to previous posts

[Ethel]

It is explained very well

The red/white comes from the last position of the ignition (key) switch. Some early pre engaged starters were wired directly to the switch but the wire is much chunkier. A relay, or using the old solenoid as a relay, is a better idea - the factory used red/brown to colour code the relay to starter solenoid wire.

[bob1340]

hello I am new to owning a Mini

I have changed engines in my 1980 for an engine from 86

so new starter and clutch

I have wired it up as decribed started up a couple of times

now when I try to start it it spins over they smoke comes from the old solinoid

and the wire is very hot

thank you bob

 

[lrostoke]

possibly loose connection, or you have a dead short

[bob1340]

_{sorry to sound dense what is a dead short}

[ROD222]

according to haynes manual ,pre engaged starters cannot be used on inertia engines and vice  versa ,????????????,haynes say the two types use differnt flyweels  teeth,?????????

[JonnyAlpha]

Admins - Shouldn't this be a sticky?