Electrical problem

[Gilespfr]

Has anyone else experienced an electrical clicking sound on starting their Stag? I've had this happen twice now - both times the problem has meant the car won't start. It's a ticking / clicking sound which I was told the first time it happened was due to having rubbish battery connectors and after a quick sand and clean it seemed fine. But it has happened again yesterday and is currently not working. Any tips would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks

Giles

[KOY 23]

Well known problem. Have a search under "click nothing". Not enough power is getting to the starter motor solenoid, possibly due to a faulty starter or more likely a poor connection in the white red wire between the ignition switch and the starter motor. Cleaning up a multiplug behind the engine or fitting a relay will sort it.

John.

[jleyton]

And it's so common that a couple of the suppliers sell a kit to overcome it !

The kit is basically just a relay and John's advice may well prove effective and cheaper

Cheers

Julian

[Gilespfr]

Thanks for advice, is the kit available easy to fit? Unfortunately they are out of stock at the moment! http://www.ejward.co.uk/relay-kit-mo...ing-p5395.html

Cheers for taking the time to post help.

Giles

[Bob Heritage]

Try removing the main positive lead from the rear of the starter motor and giving it a good clean with wire brush and sand paper, this has worked in the past.

[Gilespfr]

Great thanks. What about the battery terminals - do they ever cause the problem too? Giles

[martin]

Hi Giles, basically it's voltage drop via old worn out wires, the relay kit is a cheap easy answer, try the clean up by all means. Martin.

[jleyton]

How about this?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Stag-starter-motor-relay-conversion-/370548874521?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM& hash=item56466f1d19#ht_500wt_1127

Cheers

Julian

[Gilespfr]

Thanks Julian appreciate the link. Are they easy to fit, looks simple enough from the photo? Is it obvious if you've already got one fitted?
Cheers

Giles

[jleyton]

So far, I've been lucky enough not to have suffered the 'starter click' so I haven't fitted one I'm afraid - I'm sure someone who has will be along before long !

Cheers

Julian

[martin]

So far, I've been lucky enough not to have suffered the 'starter click' so I haven't fitted one I'm afraid - I'm sure someone who has will be along before long !

Cheers

Julian

That'll be me then amongst others. Martin.

[Gilespfr]

Thanks for all the replies. My problem is less a 'click nothing' it is more of a machine gun type ratter tatter repeat sound with electrics going on and off, which sounds more like a battery problem than a 'click nothing' problem. Any thoughts on this? Thanks Giles

[Mike Stevens]

The machine gun effect is still due to a poor joint somewhere between the battery and starter motor. Positive and negative connections.

When you try to start the engine, the solonoid pulls the gear into mesh and then energises the starter motor itself. If the wiring between the battery and starter motor is not too good, then the volts at the starter motor drop enough for the solonoid to drop out again. Now the electrical load has come off, the volts rise and it starts all over again! Hence the 'rattle'.

A good clean up of all the joints from battery positive to starter motor, engine earth strap and battery negative should sort it.

Cheers,
Mike.

[KOY 23]

Thanks for all the replies. My problem is less a 'click nothing' it is more of a machine gun type ratter tatter repeat sound with electrics going on and off, which sounds more like a battery problem than a 'click nothing' problem. Any thoughts on this? Thanks Giles

Ah, repeated clicking...., that is different. Check as Mike says, it could be a dying battery, what is the battery voltage when ignition off and cranking? You need an accurate voltmeter to measure, the dash gauge is not good enough.

[Mike Stevens]

And - the dash voltmeter only measures the voltage where it's connected in the wiring - which is probably not where you want to measure it anyway!

Cheers,
Mike.