Starter issues

[Rob W]

2 threads in 1 day ! Ive just tried to start the car, first go no issues just think it needed a bit of choke, 2nd go it just started clicking constantly from the starter,

The engine is turning and the clicking continues, managed to get it to fire once and clicking stopped so must be starter, however now the engine is turning, starter is making a machine gun type clicking and it wont start at all despite copious amounts of easy start, ive checked the rotor arm which is spinning and the points are sparking, im stumped!

[stag-phil]

Are you sure the clicking is coming from the starter and not a high tension lead arcing out?

If the engine is turning over, unless it is too slow, there is something other than the starter motor causing the problem.

What do you mean the points are sparking?

Do you have a spark at the plugs?

Have you got fuel to the carbs?

Phil

[Rob W]

Had a good listen and its the starter , the noise also dissappears when it fired which points at the starter, getting a spark at the points when they open, so spark not an issue, im hoping the easy start would have got it to fire, even with my current fuelling issue

[Staggard]

2 threads in 1 day ! Ive just tried to start the car, first go no issues just think it needed a bit of choke, 2nd go it just started clicking constantly from the starter,

The engine is turning and the clicking continues, managed to get it to fire once and clicking stopped so must be starter, however now the engine is turning, starter is making a machine gun type clicking and it wont start at all despite copious amounts of easy start, ive checked the rotor arm which is spinning and the points are sparking, im stumped!

Mine did this the other day because the battery was flat. On cranking there was not enough power in the battery to hold the solenoid in so it was jumping in and out making a machine gun noise.

[Rob W]

Im not sure about the battery, the engine was turning over normally, not all sluggish but ill charge it and see how it goes

[KOY 23]

Go easy on the easy start as it's evil stuff. As Graham says the battery sounds discharged, check the earths and battery connections.

[marshman]

Go easy on the easy start as it's evil stuff. As Graham says the battery sounds discharged, check the earths and battery connections.

+1
I would only ever use easy start as an absolute last resort knowing I would be rebuilding the engine soon knackered piston rings or worse often result from its use. On the face of it I would go with Graham, (staggard), flat battery or low volts causing the solenoid to drop out. This could be a flat battery or a faulty battery or poor conndctions causing a voltage drop.
However there must be something else, the Stag engine will start easily if there is nothing wrong on thd first or secong revolution.

Roger

[stag-phil]

If the car is a manual you could try bump starting it.

But check for a strong spark at the plugs and clean fresh petrol at the carbs first.

I would also give the plugs a good clean and if they are old replace them.

Also, check the starter motor bolts, if they are lose that could be the cause of the noise.

Phil

[Rob W]

This is proving to be a bit of a mystery, tried the car today and it fired up on the button, albeit it still had a machine gun sort of clicking from the starter as the it turned over initially, this went as soon as it fired,
It ran for about ten minutes and then cut out, I checked the fuel filter amd it was bone dry, turned the ignition off and on and the pump wouldnt prime at all,
I removed the pump and tested it off the car and it ticked away no problems at all, refitted it and it ticked away until it was primed,
So I tried to start it again and it still wouldnt start,
Checked ignition and wasnt getting a spark, I checked the ht lead from the coil to earth and wasnt getting a spark, thought it might be the lead so replaced the ht lead with another one and then got a spark, ah I thought lead breaking down, however thought I would check again, using the same lead I got a spark from tried it again and then no spark,
I checked the lt side and have voltage at the coil from the ignition and from the distributor which goes to 0v and back to 12v as the points open and close as it should, im wondering if the intermittent fuel spark and fuel pump are linked in some way to this noise at the starter, ie voltage drop for the spark and pump, is the inertia cut out switch linked into the starter/ solenoid circuit anywhere? Im baffled

[Staggard]

A long shot but you have cleaned all the earth lead contacts from the battery to the body and on the engine. you may have multiple problems but they are all electrical and something like a poor connection could link them.PS The inertia cut out is in the fuel pump circuit to cut the pump when triggered.

[milothedog]

To prove /disprove the engine earth. run a jump lead from the Neg side of the battery to a good clean me (unpainted) part of the engine.

Ian.

[GRD]

I had what sounds like an almost identical problem ten days ago. My local Stag leader suggested cleaning the connections to the starter. There are three connections - a big thick one bolted on, and two little ones which clip onto spade terminals. Turned out that one of those had come loose. Refitted it and away she went. Took me longer to jack it up. But the terminals were a bit cruddy so I cleaned then up while I was down there.
May not be the answer but might be worth a try. Good luck.
That reminds me I owe Bob a drink for that one.

[Rob W]

Problem solved on the starting front, the lt lead at the points end was partially loose, re crimped it and fires up on the button. Although still have the crackly noise from the starter? Got some oily plugs to deal with now, im hoping its just a case of sticky rings having following the car being stood for a few years

[stag-phil]

Good news!

Sounds as if you had a run of bad luck, faulty LT lead, fuel pump problem and starter motor.

What's the saying, bad luck comes is 3's, so you should be ok now!

Phil

[Rob W]

I hope so Phil, I suppose its my own fault for leaving it stand for so long, time for a big dose of tlc over the winter, the list of jobs to do gets ever longer
The joys of stag ownership!