MGB Starter motor strange issues

[AceOfHearts]

Well the MGB has broken again

This time I had a strange issue with the starter. And i think it may be burnt out / seized.

I will double check all the wiring tomorrow before i go out and buy a new starter, but just wanted to ask opinions on here before i buy anything.

It happened as I was pulling into work yesterday. There was a horrible noise coming from the front of the car. I pulled over and opened the bonnet, and could hear the noise coming from the starter motor area. I killed the engine but now it will not start. The relay clicks but nothing else happens. The noise almost sounded like the starter was engaging as I was driving along, so maybe the engine was dragging the starter round and has wrecked it, but i don't know why or how it could of engaged in the first place

I have tried giving the starter a whack, but nothing helps. I can now bump start the car and the starter has obviously retracted as it runs fine without any odd noises. I just hope it hasnt wrecked the flywheel.

I will check the relay tomorrow to make sure it is sending power to the motor when the key is turned, but why would it have done this in the first place?

[jimbob82]

sounds to me like something fed back through the relay maybe, making the starter engage ?

[v8250]

Lewis, I have one in the shed for sale if you'd like it. £25 and it's yours

[nta16]

check and charge up your battery, anything to do with starting problems is best dealt with on a fully charged battery or the battery could hinder progress

as your dealing with battery and starter connections just check nothing is loose as you go along and before undoing anything and check starter was fixed securely, nuts and bolts have been know to come loose on starter motor apparently (never experienced it myself)

if any new electrical parts or components has been fitted recently suspect them

[Hooli]

Take the starter out & clean the bendix, you can inspect the flywheel through the hole.

[AceOfHearts]

Thanks everyone I will give it a good check over with the multimeter tomorrow, and pull out the starter if i don't find anything obvious wrong.

V8250:

Depending on what I find tomorrow and if you are about in the afternoon / evening I might well take you up on that

Where abouts in Oxfordshire are you?

[v8250]

AceOfHearts said:

Thanks everyone I will give it a good check over with the multimeter tomorrow, and pull out the starter if i don't find anything obvious wrong.

V8250:

Depending on what I find tomorrow and if you are about in the afternoon / evening I might well take you up on that

Where abouts in Oxfordshire are you?

Woodstock. Feel free to PM me.

[AceOfHearts]

v8250 said:

AceOfHearts said:

Thanks everyone I will give it a good check over with the multimeter tomorrow, and pull out the starter if i don't find anything obvious wrong.

V8250:

Depending on what I find tomorrow and if you are about in the afternoon / evening I might well take you up on that

Where abouts in Oxfordshire are you?

Woodstock. Feel free to PM me.

PM sent

[S0 What]

The bendix is likely stuck out through dirt, or the solenoid has stuck or if you've recently fitted a cheap chinease Moss ign switch it could be that but i'd 99% of the time go for a sticking bendix fist AFTER testing the solenoid isn't constantly live on the starter side.

[nta16]

AceOfHearts said:

I will give it a good check over with the multimeter tomorrow

don't just rely on a multimeter reading as this can lead you to false conclusions always check and cross reference and keep in mind a clear step by step diagnostic

and always test any test equipment before you start the job and before you pack it away

[AceOfHearts]

Couldn't find anything obviously wrong so I pulled the starter motor out. Luckily the flywheel looks OK.

I hooked the starter motor up to the battery and shorted across to the switching terminal. It tries to throw out, but only moves about a mm and then stops, so this is definitely the issue. I will let you know what happens when I get the new motor in

[redchina]

Interesting, every starter issue I've had has been solved with a thwack from a wooden stick

[nta16]

redchina said:

Interesting, every starter issue I've had has been solved with a thwack from a wooden stick

yes but if that what the previous has been doing then eventually the stick doesn't work - or it could be that it work Ok for the previous owner as he rarely drove the car

I've read of a couple of starter motor faults on Spridgets both of which were refurbished/reconditioned so both owners thought it wouldn't be the starter but at least one is so far

today I've (hopefully or it's more expense) had a lapse of concentration and not followed my own advice and Sod's Law has kicked in reminded me why both are a bad habit - will the BGT be sorted before the Midget, yes probably

[AceOfHearts]

Picked up a new starter motor (a lightweight, high torque one apparently) and got it fitted in about half an hour.

Turned the key and she fired right up Its a lot quieter and smoother turning over now as well so i am guessing it has probably been on its way out since i have had the car. At least it is all fixed

Edited by AceOfHearts on Wednesday 3rd April 21:07

[nta16]

from kerchunkk and a miss every third or fouth time to whynnn fire straight off

I heard an old starter the other day and it reminded me how agricultural they sounded against the more modern style starters

is that starter from another vehicle?